PT "missing" at idle...

Hi-- My '03 Cruiser with 18K miles seems to be missfiring at idle when warmed
up. It'll be running smoothly, then it will miss . Usually it's only one miss,
but sometimes there will be two or even three in a row. While waiting at the
average traffic light, this might happen several times. The car runs fine while
actually driving.
It may or may not be related, but in the past several weeks I've had a hard
time starting the car first thing in the morning. Most days it's fine, but
about 3 times I've really had to crank it for a LONG time before the engine
caught. Nights are getting cooler in upstate NY, but not really cold yet (30's
-4o's).
The dealer tells me there is a TSB calling for a different type of plug and new
plug wires. Think this will fix both problems? FWIW-- on separate occasions
they've already replaced two plugs on this relatively low mileage car...

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Got wood?
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You should post what yr your vehicle is if you want to know about the latest
TSB's, but that is what is sounds like to me, replace the plugs and wires,
Normally the check engine lite will turn on with a cyl misfire code. But i
have run into this many times when the vehicle is misfiring and no codes are
set and the monitor doesnt even let you see it misfiring.
Glenn Beasley
Chrysler Tech

 

The OEM wires haven't had the best history, I've heard some PT owners having
ignition problems getting them replaced under warranty. Also, at 18k miles
you might want to replace the full set of spark plugs, yeah I know you had 2
done already, but it might be worth it.

SRG

 

hiya,

had the same thing on the '04 Cruiser, after changing the cat (still
missing) the dealer then changed the plugs and the problem mostly went away
(the engine still occasionally takes time to "wake up" after overrun i.e. no
immediate throttle response, the dealer said this was the fuel computer
resetting itself (?) and is normal. Needless to say the dealer doesn't get
the regular service work.

the engine check idiot light never came on.

the dealer did say that the standard plugs were a known fault and that
japanese plugs performed much better in this engine.

m

 

hmm you did post the yr, my bad!! where was i at?

 

Forgot that: it's an '03

******************************
Got wood?
Check out my exotic hardwood pennywhistles at fair
prices...http://www.Busmanwhistles.com

 

Where was I at too? I believed you and reposted the year. Guess both of our
brains are misfiring too...

******************************
Got wood?
Check out my exotic hardwood pennywhistles at fair
prices...http://www.Busmanwhistles.com

 

sounds like you've been taken for a ride, why change the cat due to an idle
problem, and I hope it was under warranty, also what is a fuel control
computer??

 

The TSB for the plug wires and plugs was for the 2004 PT but if you are
still under 3/36 the wires will be covered

 

I have a 2001. I just had my mechanic change the plugs at 30,000. His labor
charge was $45, the dealer wanted $115. Was there a SB stating that the plugs
in the 2001 causing a problem?
The dealer also wanted $75 to change the power steering fluid.
I opted out on this seeing that I couldn't find this reccomended service in the
owner's manual at any mileage.

 

Is it possible that a throttle body cleaning would remedy this problem?

Bill Putney
(To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
adddress with the letter 'x')

 

Probably not. Dirty throttle bodies generally cause poor driveability and
stalling upon near-zero-speed deceleration, but not idle misfire.

 

Crank or cam sensor. Friends PT was doing same thing. Crank sensor
fixed problem.