Can you answer a question regarding the old push-button-automatic Chrysler vehicles?

Question 1
Can you answer a question regarding the old push-button-automatic Chrysler vehicles?...  I have a '62 Dodge Lancer I bought not too long ago. The only way I can get the engine to turn over is by shorting across the two poles on the starter. I think the problem has something to do with the selections for the transmission. It's in park and the selector is in neutral, but I still cannot turn the engine over with a turn of the key. If you can tell me where to begin my trouble-shooting or what you suspect is the trouble, that would be an easy 10 pts. for you.
I'll give the person who can suggest the best way to clean out a gas line that's clogged with old gasoline (varnish) all the bonuses I can muster too. I'm trying to avoid tracking down a new live for fear that it will either be very difficult to find or expensive because I'll probably have to get one specially made.
To fire_inur_eyes: I guess you're unable to read between the lines. If I could afford to take the car to a shop I would. And no, there is nothing wrong with the starter.

Answers
1)   You need a new starter--thats the only answer--the clue is jumping the poles---that means it is shot and you need a new one. Gasoline is explosive--a bad move when you are messing with gasoline can burn you--the car and your garage--so go to a shop that can do it safely. It costs money to run a car--you can't run it with bad gas--clogged filters or bad electrical componants. Just get it to a shop and have it all done properly. - fire_inur_eyes

2)   if you can jump start a starter vis shortening the 2 poles, that means no current going to solenoid via key.
check the ignition harness first, at the back of your ignition key, you will see wire harness of ignition, battery, accessories and starter, make sure the current flow in every terminal, battery to acc, battery to acc+ig, batt +acc+ig+st(starter).

when you verify current flow on harness, go find the main relay, usually big relay with two coil inside or 6 terminal, check if equipped with this, if not, look for main relay that is smaller in size.
make sure current flow and relay is good.
this relay send current /power to transmission switch/inhibitor/ then goes to starter motor and ignition system and fuse box.

when tracing electrical trouble. always start from the power source going to the system.
so start from battery going to the key then to the system the battery operates..
no direct answer to your question b/c we don't see what you connected and disconnected or the overall situation of your car,
the best is to trace the flow of power. - Gary

3)   It is an old car. Expect to spend money on it. Replace the gas line. Get a schematic and check the wiring. - doane_nut

4)   I think Gary pretty much answered your question about your starting problem. As for your fuel line, I would go to a parts store and buy a 25 foot roll of it-it;s not as expensive as you might think-and a cheap tube bender and a flaring tool. Then, I would make my own line. It's not hard, and I would bet you wouldn't spend $75 to do it. Also, when you're finished, you would already have the tube bender and flare tool the next time you need them-such as if you need to fix a brake line or some such thing.

Good luck. - roughboy68oh

5)   More than likely the starter relay is bad, small box on the firewall or left inner fender, may be metal with a silvery look but could be almost black from age, about three inches high, two inches wide and about one and a half or two inches deep, will have two studs visible, one slightly larger than the other with wires attached to each stud.

Short across the two studs, if the starter turns, the relay is bad.

If the fuel line is clogged with varnish, your best bet is someone's suggestion of bending your own, it's not hard to do and initial tool cost is minimal, just be careful and check for leaks thoroughly. - Don't know everything !


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Question 2
pt chrysler cars good or bad?...  im thinkin of buying one whats your opinion please?

Answers
1)   bad

chrysler cars are only designed to last 5 years or so, and usually have major problems right after the warranty expires - Eduardo S

2)   Ugly as sin, flimsy and expensive to maintain/service. - "isitme"

3)   Have a good friend that's on her second one, & loves it. Treats it like a mini-pick-up & hauls all sorts of stuff in the back. Gets pretty good mileage, considering how she buzzes around. The only problem she's had is the a/c on the second one gave her some problems, but they got it fixed. - rick29148

4)   They look nice but that's where the good stuff ends.
They are not refined, use loads of fuel, handle badly, the ride is rough, have a cheap and nasty interior, a poor 3 star Euroncap safety rating and break they down loads. They have to be serviced every 7500 miles.
The 2.4 Diseasal, which is the best engine to go for if you have to have one will cost £425.00 a year to tax due to its polluting engine. - Timbo is here

5)   I have put over 106,000 miles on mine and I love everything except the large turning radius and the gas mileage. It gets 22 mpg (it's a 2004) and I service the engine when needed. I would get another in a heartbeat! - Cagey


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Question 3
2003 Chrysler Town & Country?...  My 2003 town & country is having brake issues. It has been in the shop 3 times. The calipers (sp?) have been changed, the master cylinder has been replaced & they have been bled. The brake pressure lasts about 3 months then they go to the floor again. The shop that has been doing the work stated I may have to take it to the dealership. Anybody have any ideas of what could be going on?

Answers
1)   Brake Booster could be leaking air causing the pedal to go to the floor. - Ravenfire

2)   could be a proportional valve, if it has drums in the rear the drums could be over sized causing the shoes to expand more and not full come back, causing a low pedal. - Michael

3)   One- Booster would be the first week not three months

two you have rear disk brakes(what a maroon!)

It is leaking brake fluid and they are stupid and ripping you off. I find it very near a lawsuit(just as soon as you have an accident) so they better fix your car ASAP.

Tell them that small claims court is where you are going to take them if this isn't resolved for FREE RIGHT NOW!

ASE Cert Tech, since 19768, 96 T&C 95 and 98 Neons - sci

4)   There is only 2 things that will cause your peddle to go to the floor. 1,is if the master cylinder rubbers allow the fluid to go past and back into the reservoir, and 2 ,you have a brake fluid leak. A bad brake booster will only cause the peddle to get hard to press. I would definitely have a dealer look at the problem. - Jackolantern


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Question 4
Used 2002 PT Cruiser?...  Ok someone please tell me if this is a good buy! It has only 56k and is FULLY LOADED! I fell in love with it as soon as I saw it. But I want to be smart because I am far from rich! The guy wants $4600.00 because it has a salvage title I saw the paperwork it was hit but was repaired by Chrysler it drives smooth and looks great! I offered him $4000.00 and he said he'd take it.. I know he doesn't need the money because he lives in a mansion! LITERALLY :) Is this a good deal?

Answers
1)   A good reference is Kelly Blue Book. Just fill in the particulars
www.kbb.com

Take care - topline

2)   have the car checked ut by a mechanic before you buy well worth the money - pickmefirstplz

3)   Sounds good but I strongly suggest having it inspected before buying. Try Autonerds.com Good luck. - C-Tech


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Question 5
I'm thinking of buying a chrysler grand voyager, any comments please on reliability .?...  

Answers
1)   Look at reports from 'consumer reports'. They say that the chrysler van has a LOT of problems. The break-down rate on them is rather high. - DER ALTE FIRZ

2)   That's odd vehicle to find in the U.K. It's very reliable for an American built car. If you have a means of finding parts and service for it. you will probably enjoy it.

We have owned several over the past 15 years, and never had any major problems with them. - Peedlepup

3)   You don't say how old the vehicles are that you are looking at, but use this search tool to help you decide. Alternatives are also listed, look at those too.

http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/reviews/chrysler/ - Hairy Jim


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