Could I get some hints on an obscure problem on a 2004 turbo PT cruiser?

Asked by Jordan Jul 31, 2012 at 11:57 AM about the 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser Touring Wagon FWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

It has seen a mechanic all of last week and before that and the only problem he's found so far was a
loose connection on #3 cylinder cam sensor. The error codes the computer shows are for the fore and
aft O2 sensors. I drove the car to work one day with no problems. I left just before it got really hot
outside so ~8:30. I left the car in the sun because I couldn't find my parking pass. The ambient
temperature got to about ~105 degrees. I started the car up at about 5:00 only to have the check
engine light come on. After attempting to drive it further (note: I had to drive over a couple massive
speed bumps) I had the car quite out on me while idling at a turn. At first the engine would not turn
over but after about thirty minutes of waiting the car turns over fine. I had it towed back to my house
and haven't driven it since. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated!

1 Answer

4,445

Changing the o2 sensors might be a good idea but if the cam sensor is not working right it will cause your engine temp to be off in the exhaust due to misfires because the engine doesn't know or trying to find out when to fire. This would cause erratic temps and probably engine misfire and rough running which could also give the indication of an o2 problem. I would repair or replace that cam position sensor before doing anything else. Then clear the codes and drive it to see how it performs.

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