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Need help with PT Cruiser problem

Would another PT Cruiser owner please try the following and let me know what happens..

Simply engage 'D' and drive along a level road until the Torque Converter locks up (about 50mph) then take your foot off the gas pedal and allow the car to slow down without braking. Please watch the tachometer and see what happens when the revs drop to about 1200rpm.

My Cruiser (new in 2003, basic, auto and now with 28000miles) under the above conditions will slow normally to about 1200rpm then the revs will increase quickly to about 1600 with a noticeable slight acceleration. The revs now stay at 1500/1600 and the car will cruise along at a steady speed for several seconds before the revs begin to fall again. Doesn't sound too serious but as well as requiring extra braking it also gives the feeling of 'being out of control'..

The problem appeared about 9 months ago following a service but the dealer is saying this is normal operation for the 41TE transmission as, after driving the car, the Chrysler dealer's transmission guy said the increase of 500 or so revs was due the torque converter unlocking, but could not explain why the revs did not then quickly fall from 1600. No error codes were found and the dealer flashed the PCM for what I did not find out, but the problem remains.

I have driven new Chrysler vans with what I believe is the same 41TE trans, and under the above conditions they decelerate normally (for an auto) with just a small twitch of the tacho at around 1000rpm. Certainly they do not continue to cruise along at constant speed that corresponds to 1600rpm for several seconds.

So, if anyone can try the above and let me know what happens then I will know either that all is normal or that I need to hassle the dealer some more.

Thanks in advance, Jack

Reply to
Jacko
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Might not be the transmission causing this. Perhaps the air/fuel system needs to be cleaned. Take off the rubber intake from the air intake and spray the throtle area to make sure it is not sticking and can close all the way.

Richard.

Reply to
Richard

Richard, Thanks for your reply.

I don't think the transmission is at fault. I checked the throttle closing function when the problem first appeared and all appeared to be OK. Idle is normal as is everything else except during the overrun condition described above. When the revs increase to 1600 I cannot feel any movement from the throttle (such as when the cruise control is re-activated) but because the car accelerates slightly as the revs increase to 1600, then something is telling the IAC to open the throttle, and that something is probably the PCM . The dealer is really saying that what I am seeing is normal operation for a PT Cruiser and that is why I would appreciate another Cruiser owner telling me how their car behaves..

Thanks again, Jack

Reply to
Jacko

I have an 01 and I don't see that idle issue with my automatic equipped vehicle.

Richard.

Reply to
Richard

Richard, my apologies. I didn't realise that you had added another message.

This is exactly what I needed to know and I have booked another appointment with my dealer.

Did anything happen on your cruiser when the revs dropped to 1200 on the overrun? Such as a small jump in revs that did not speed-up the car?

Thanks, Jack

Reply to
Jacko

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