PT Cruiser - "Ticking" sound heard at over 30 mph

I'm a recent addition to the PT Cruiser club, having finally purchased
one after wanting one for a good six years. (Long story.) I bought a
2006 model from Budget Car Sales just a few days ago, so it's still
under warranty. Anyway, I hear a "ticking" sound when I reach speeds
of above 30 mph. It's definitely related to speed and not
acceleration; I've coasted in neutral at 40 mph and heard it, while
revving the engine while stopped does not bring up the sound. It's
faint, I can only hear it with the windows down.

Since it's under warranty, if there's anything particularly wrong with
it I'd like to find out soon. The Budget warranty runs another 25
days or so, and then there's the 36,000 mile warranty with the
dealer. Or, this could be a normal sound of a PT Cruiser. Any ideas
from the group?

 

I had similar with my 2003 model, it was the shim plates between the front
disk brake pads and the caliper piston. One had become bent out of position
and was catching against the disk causing the ticking sound. The difference
was that I could hear it at low speeds and as I went faster it then couldn't
be heard. I managed to trace it by jacking the front wheel up, spinning the
wheel and locating where the ticking sound came from.

Bob

 

I've had this problem with my 2001. I still have it.
It's the sound of money draining from my bank account to pay
for repair after repair.

 

If the noise is happening from the only while the vehicle is moving you may
want to check the inside of the rims to see if the chrome is peeling off.
When this happens the chrome will hit the brake calipers as the wheel turns
and almost sound like a kids bike with a playing card hitting the spokes but
not as loud.

Glenn Beasley
Chrysler Tech

 

Peeps, thanks for the responses. I took the car to the dealer for a
recall repair on some perfectly good back glass. While there I asked
them to check out the ticking noise. They were very friendly and
helpful. The car's under warranty for another 3,000 miles or so, and
I was willing to leave the car for a few days while they did the
work. They replaced the front wheel hub bearings, water pump, and
sway bar. I didn't ask for any of this, just asked them to
investigate the noise. All covered under the warranty.

The funny thing is, the ticking noise is still there. I'm a whole lot
less worried about it now. My guess is that it's the chrome as Glenn
Beasley mentioned, or perhaps a loose caliper - but from what I've
read, those are annoying but not dangerous. I suppose it could turn
into something serious, but if it happens in the next few months I'll
be covered. In the meantime, since I've read so much about shoddy
dealers on the 'net, I just wanted to say that I got exceptional
service from mine.

 

Just look under the vehicle at the inside of the wheels, mostly the front
ones and see if the chrome is peeling. If your vehicle is still under
warranty you may get these replaced if it is the problem

Glenn

 

Now wait just a minute now. You say that Chrysler might replace chrome
wheels for peeling chrome on the backside when they wouldn't replace
powder coat bumper covers that got streaks all over them from the
mastic on tape that they put on them prior to transporting to
dealers?
Look at any PT with these covers that don't have marks on them and
I'll give you $10.00. For everyone that is marred, you give me $1.00.
This way, you'll pay for my power steering leak repair!!

 

Now wait just a minute now. You say that Chrysler might replace chrome
wheels for peeling chrome on the backside when they wouldn't replace
powder coat bumper covers that got streaks all over them from the
mastic on tape that they put on them prior to transporting to
dealers?
Look at any PT with these covers that don't have marks on them and
I'll give you $10.00. For everyone that is marred, you give me $1.00.
This way, you'll pay for my power steering leak repair!!



The vehicle comes with a 3/36. Are you the second owner of your PT? How
many times do you have your vehicle serviced at the dealer?