Chrysler PT Cruiser Tail Lights

Common Issues with the Chrysler PT Cruiser Tail Light Assembly and How to Diagnose Them

The Chrysler PT Cruiser tail light assembly includes the tail, stop, reverse, and turn-signal lights-all of which allow you to communicate with other drivers behind you. This is why it's so important to pay attention to this component once you see these signs of failure:

One tail light stops working

When one tail light doesn't work, the first thing you should do is to check if the bulb in the affected tail light is burned out. You can access it behind the trim in the trunk of your vehicle, or, if your tail light assembly is an aftermarket product, then you can remove the lens cover to get to the bulb. Once you have the bulb removed, examine the inside if one of its filaments is broken. If you find one, replace that bulb with a new one.

Both tail lights stop working at once

If both of your tail lights fail at once, then a blown fuse is the most likely problem. Check your owner's manual to see the location of the fuse box as well as the position of the tail light fuse. Once you found the box and the fuse, look at the thin metal strip inside and see if it is broken. If it is blown, simply replace it with a new one. Know what kind of fuse your tail light assembly has (refer to your owner's manual for this) before going out to buy one.

Tail light assembly fuse keeps blowing

If your fuse blows the moment you turn on the tail lights, then there might be a problem with the bulb or the wiring harness. Check the tail light bulb if it's the right type for your tail light assembly or if it has short-circuited internally. Wrong bulbs can draw too much power from the battery, causing the tail light fuse to blow. If your vehicle has a trailer wiring harness, disconnect it and check if it has short-circuited as well. If none of these is the problem, check all the wiring connections in your car as any of them could have caused the fuse to blow up.

• The Chrysler PT Cruiser was a big hit when it was first introduced due to its unique and trendsetting appearance.
• Even today, the Chrysler PT Cruiser remains popular in the used car market. This leads to the growing demand for its parts and accessories like the Chrysler PT Cruiser tail light.
• The Chrysler PT Cruiser tail light’s failure is often caused by a faulty component.
• The most common causes of faulty tail lights are blown fuse, bad tail light bulbs, worn-out wirings or socket, and busted control switch.
• The price of an aftermarket Chrysler PT Cruiser tail light is usually around $20 to $100.

When the Chrysler PT Cruiser was first introduced to the market, the unique five-door hatchback was an instant hit. Its unique, retro, and trendsetting style was just a breath of fresh air when compared to the other vehicles sold at that time. Unfortunately, the production of the Chrysler PT Cruiser was discontinued in 2010.

It may be because of its iconic appearance or its reliability, but the Chrysler PT Cruiser is still a popular pick for people who buy used cars. That’s why there’s also a growing demand for its parts and accessories. If you’re a Chrysler PT Cruiser owner, one part that you may need is a Chrysler PT Cruiser tail light.

More often than not, faulty tail lights are caused by a bad component and can be fixed by making the necessary replacement.

Blown tail light fuse

If you have a blown tail light fuse, the electricity from the car’s battery won’t reach your tail light bulb. The result is a tail light that won’t light up. To fix this, all you need to do is to install a new fuse. However, this can also be a sign of a serious electrical problem especially if the tail light fuse keeps getting busted. The fuse will only get damaged if there is a sudden surge of electricity that can potentially damage the other tail light components. You may want to have the whole tail light assembly inspected for any abnormalities.

Worn-out bulb

The tail light may not work because the light bulb has reached the ends of its service life. Once it burns out, there’s no repair that you can do to revive it. You have to replace it with a new bulb.

Corroded wirings or socket

Moisture, dirt, and other contaminants can get to the tail light assembly especially if you have a cracked tail light lens or housing. Once crucial components like the wirings and socket get exposed to these contaminants, they can build rust and corrosion over time. This will lead to deterioration and eventually prevent the tail light from functioning properly.

Faulty control switch

The faulty part that’s causing your tail light to malfunction may not be found anywhere near the tail light assembly but on your dash. The control switch, which turns both the headlights and tail lights, may need to be replaced.

The cost of a Chrysler PT Cruiser tail light is anywhere between $20 and $100. You may get this part per piece, in a set of two, or part of a kit. You may also choose a tail light replacement that comes with a clear and red lens or an amber and red lens depending on your taste.

Looking for other Chrysler PT Cruiser parts? Be sure to use our website’s built-in vehicle selector to make your online shopping a breeze. It will help you narrow down the search results to only applicable parts for your vehicle.

The Chrysler PT Cruiser tail light assembly is responsible for letting you communicate with other drivers behind you. However, because this component is at your car's rear end, they are prone to getting damaged by outside elements. To prevent this from happening or to restore your tail lights' new condition, follow these tips:

Clean the tail light assembly thoroughly.

Every time you wash your car, thoroughly clean your tail light assembly as well. Aside from cleaning it with the soap and water you washed your vehicle with, spray lens cleaner on a rag and wipe the component with it. Do not spray on too much lens cleaner to avoid moistening up the tail light assembly.

Glue up the crack on the tail light assembly lens.

If the lens of your tail light assembly has a crack, you can make it disappear through a simple, three-step procedure. First, carefully remove the lens from its housing using the right screwdriver. If it is glued to the housing, do not force it off. Instead, "bake" the housing in a pre-heated oven for 15 to 20 minutes to soften the glue. Then, carefully take out the lens using a flat-edge screwdriver and remove any string of glue attached to it. Once removed from the housing, sand the lens and apply a fine line of plastic glue along the crack, and then hold them together for a minute to let the glue settle. Use the same glue to stick the repaired lens back to its housing.

Sand the tail light assembly lens.

If you want to restore your tail light assembly lenses' natural polish, then you have to sand it and apply some polish. Before doing the procedure, cover the surrounding area with several layers of painter's masking tape in order to protect your car's paint. Then, wipe down the tail light to remove dust and dirt from the lens. Use 500-, 800-, and 1,000-grit sandpaper and apply it in a horizontal direction. Keep on sanding the lens until the entire thing gives off a frosted appearance. Then, apply a bottle of lens polish.

Helpful Tips to Fix Your Chrysler PT Cruiser Tail Lights

You always need to check your Chrysler PT Cruiser tail lights to make sure that your vehicle is seen by other cars behind you as you drive at night. Keep in mind that these lights usually experience problems, so it's best that you know how to deal with their common issues. Here are some useful tips to help you troubleshoot your tail lights:

Scratched lenses

It's inevitable to have scratches on your tail lights, especially if you're the type who isn't too careful. You can have multiple light scratches on the lenses of your tail lights, but you can also have deep scratches that can be quite difficult to fix. Wet sanding your tail lights to smoothen the surface of the scratched areas should easily solve your problem. However, doing this won't help you fix your deeply scratched tail lights. Buying a replacement part is the best solution if you can't stand driving around with obvious scratches on your car's rear-end lights.

Malfunctioning lights

During the lifetime of your PT Cruiser, you may experience unlit tail lights as you drive at night. Although this is a very common problem, some drivers still have difficulties diagnosing it. To help you, just remember to check the unlit assembly for a busted or loose bulb if you see only one working tail light as this is usually the case. Replacing or tightening the bulb should make it work again. But if both your tail lights have stopped working, you should make sure that your wirings are all good and your fuse isn't blown out because your tail lights won't really work if either of your fuse or wirings is damaged. Replacing the fuse or fixing the wirings will solve this problem.

Broken and leaking seals

The only time you will know that the seal on your tail light is broken is when you begin to wonder why there are water droplets forming on the lens inside. This is called condensation, and this happens when there is water buildup inside your tail light. The main culprit behind this is the broken seal that is supposed to block water from entering and, possibly, from building up inside and damaging the socket and wires. To stop this problem, you need to remove the assembly and dry it. You also need to make sure that the sockets and wirings have been dried before installing back the assembly. This time, don't forget to apply silicone sealant along the edges of the broken seal. Remember, you can have this problem on just one tail light.

The tail lights on your PT Cruiser can lose its shine as your car ages. They can get oxidized and scratched, which make them dull and unattractive. So if you want your Chrysler PT Cruiser tail lights to look new, follow these simple maintenance tips:

Wash with warm soapy water.

You need to mix mild dishwashing soap with warm water and use this mixture to wash your tail lights. With the use of a sponge, rub the entire surface of your lights to remove all traces of dirt and grime. Make sure, however, that the water you will be using is warm enough so that any buildup on the lenses will be softened for easy removal.

Clean with regular white toothpaste.

You can use the toothpaste at home to remove stains and oxidation on your tail lights. But make sure that the toothpaste you will be using is the regular white one because flavored, gel, or whitening toothpastes can be too abrasive or harmful for the coating of your tail lights. And when you're using toothpaste, you just need to spread it on the surface and rub it in circular motion until the lenses begin to clear up and shine. You may, however, need to repeat the process if you're not satisfied with the results.

Polish to shine the lenses.

You should polish your tail lights to make them look shiny and new. Just make sure that the polishing compound that you have is still safe to be used on your tail lights. If you feel it isn't as effective as it should be, you can just get a good-quality polishing compound from auto supply stores. But make sure to read the instructions at the back and follow them to avoid problems.

Sand the surface to remove scratches.

You have to sand the lenses of your tail lights to remove the light scratches on the surface. You can use 600-, 1000-, and 1500-grit sandpapers. But before you do this, soak the sandpapers in water to make them less abrasive. You should also prepare a bottle spray filled with soapy water for wet sanding. However, you should remember to sand in a side-to-side motion only.