Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser Base, AutomaticFACTORY OEM SERVICE PROCEDURE
Panel Dimmer Open
NOTE:
After making any repairs, perform BODY VERIFICATION TEST under VERIFICATION TESTS.
- Turn ignition off. Connect scan tool to Data Link Connector (DLC). DLC is located on bottom of instrument panel, to left of brake pedal. See Figure. Clear DTCs. Turn parking lights on. Wait 10 seconds. Rotate dimmer switch through full range. Using scan tool, check DTCs. If scan tool displays PANEL DIMMER OPEN, go to next step. If no DTCs are set, no problem is found at this time. Check for intermittent wiring problem.
- Remove instrument cluster. See ANALOG INSTRUMENT PANELS - PT CRUISER article. Check for voltage between 10-pin instrument cluster harness connector C2 terminal No. 7, panel lights dimmer signal circuit (Red wire) and ground. If no voltage exists, go to next step. If any voltage exists, repair short to voltage on Red wire.
- Disconnect Gray 20-pin multifunction switch connector, located under upper steering column shroud. Using ohmmeter, check resistance of panel lights dimmer signal circuit (Red wire) between instrument cluster harness connector C2 terminal No. 7 and multifunction switch harness connector terminal No. 8. See Figure and Fig 1 . If resistance is less than 5 ohms, reconnect multifunction switch connector, leave instrument cluster harness connector disconnected and go to next step. If resistance is 5 ohms or more, repair open Red wire.
- Using ohmmeter, check resistance between instrument cluster harness connector C2 terminal No. 7, panel lights dimmer signal circuit (Red wire) and ground. Observe ohmmeter display while rotating dimmer switch from low to high. If resistance increases smoothly from 150 ohms to about 8800 ohms, replace instrument cluster. See ANALOG INSTRUMENT PANELS - PT CRUISER article. If resistance does not increase as specified, replace multifunction switch. See MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION in STEERING COLUMN SWITCHES - PT CRUISER article.
Factory Service Tools
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.