2008 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER ECU

NOTE:If the keyfob is equipped with a screw, reinstall
and tighten the screw until snug.
SECURITY ALARM SYSTEM Ð IF EQUIPPED
The system monitors the doors, liftgate, and ignition
switch for unauthorized operation.
If something triggers the alarm, the system will signal for
about 18 minutes. For the first three minutes the horn will
sound and the headlights, park lights, tail lights and the
indicator light in the cluster will flash. Then the exterior
lights will flash for another 15 minutes.
If the monitored system, which triggered the alarm is
deactivated the alarm will continue to sound until three
minutes of alarm time is reached. If the monitored
system, which triggered the alarm is deactivated after the
alarm has been on for three minutes the alarm will shut
off immediately.
To set the alarm:
1. Remove the keys from the ignition switch and get out
of the vehicle.
2. Lock the door using either the power door lock switch,
or the Keyless Entry Transmitter and close all doors.
3. The indicator light in the instrument cluster will flash
rapidly for 16 seconds. This shows that the system is
arming. During this period, if a door is opened, the
ignition switch is turned ON, or the power door locks are
unlocked by either the power door lock switch or the
remote keyless entry transmitter, the system will auto-
matically disarm. After 16 seconds the indicator light will
flash slowly. This shows that the system is fully armed.
36 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

To disarm the system:
Unlock a front door using the Keyless Entry Transmitter.
Starting the vehicle with a valid Sentry key will disarm
the system. A valid key is one that is programmed to that
particular vehicle. A valid key will disarm the system, an
invalid key will trigger the alarm.
Tamper Alert
If the horn sounds three times when you unlock a front
door using the Keyless Entry Transmitter, the alarm has
been activated. Check the vehicle for tampering.
Security System Manual Override
The system will not arm if you lock the doors using the
manual door lock plunger.LIFTGATE (SEDAN)
The liftgate can be unlocked by pressing twice on the
remote keyless entry button or by activating the power
door lock switches located on the front doors.
Door Lock Plunger
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 37
2

To open the unlocked liftgate, squeeze the liftgate release
touch pad located on the backside of the liftgate handle
and pull the liftgate open with one fluid motion.Opening The Liftgate While the Security Alarm Is
Activated
Unlocking the liftgate with the remote keyless entry
transmitter will allow access to the liftgate without
sounding or disarming the security alarm system. Once
the liftgate is closed, it will again be monitored by the
security alarm system.
WARNING!
²Driving with the liftgate open can allow poison-
ous exhaust gases into your vehicle. You and your
passengers could be injured by these fumes. Keep
the liftgate closed when you are operating the
vehicle.
²If you are required to drive with the liftgate open,
make sure that all windows are closed, and the
climate control blower switch is set at high speed.
DO NOT use the recirculation mode.Liftgate Handle
38 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

EMERGENCY SEAT BACK RELEASE (SEDAN)
WARNING!
Do not allow children to have access to the liftgate
area with the rear shelf panel in position 1 (Top) or
position 2 (Middle), either by climbing into the
liftgate from outside, or through the inside of the
vehicle. Always close the liftgate when your vehicle
is unattended. Once in the liftgate area, young chil-
dren may not be able to escape, even if they entered
through the rear seat. If trapped in the liftgate,
children can die from suffocation or heat stroke.
As a security measure, a Seat Back Emergency Release
lever is built into the left side rear seat back latching
mechanism. In the event of an individual being locked
inside the liftgate area with the rear shelf panel in
position 1 (Top) or position 2 (Middle), the left side rearseat back can be unlatched by pulling down on the
glow-in-the-dark lever attached to the left rear seat back
latching mechanism.
Once unlatched the seat back can be pushed forward to
gain access into the interior of the vehicle.
Emergency Seat Back Release
40 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:Make sure that the elastic loop is around the
emergency release handle at all times. If the handle is
pulled downward, entirely through the elastic loop, the
handle will not return to its original position and the seat
back may not operate properly.
EMERGENCY DECK LID RELEASE LATCH
(CONVERTIBLE)
WARNING!
Do not allow children to have access to the trunk,
either by climbing into the trunk from outside, or
through the inside of the vehicle. Always close the
deck lid when your vehicle is unattended. Once in
the trunk, young children may not be able to escape,
even if they entered through the rear seat. If trapped
in the trunk, children can die from suffocation or
heat stroke.As a security measure, an emergency deck lid release
lever is built into the deck lid latching mechanism. In the
event of an individual being locked inside the trunk, the
trunk can be simply opened by pulling on the glow-in-
the-dark lever attached to the deck lid latching mecha-
nism. See following picture.
Emergency Deck Lid Release Handle
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 41
2

empty or is occupied by someone that is classified in the
ªchild9category. This could be a child, a teenager, or even
a small adult.
Here are some simple steps you can take to minimize the
risk of harm from a deploying airbag.
1.Children 12 years old and under should always ride
buckled up in a rear seat.
Infants in rear facing child restraints shouldNEVERride
in the front seat of a vehicle with a passenger front airbag.
An airbag deployment can cause severe injury or death to
infants in that position.
Children that are not big enough to properly wear the
vehicle seat belt (see Section on Child Restraints) should
be secured in the rear seat in child restraints or belt-
positioning booster seats. Older children who do not use
child restraints or belt-positioning booster seats shouldride properly buckled up in the rear seat. Never allow
children to slide the shoulder belt behind them or under
their arm.
You should read the instructions provided with your
child restraint to make sure that you are using it properly.
2. All occupants should wear their lap and shoulder belts
properly.
3. The driver and front passenger seats should be moved
back as far as practical to allow the front airbags room to
inflate.
4. If your vehicle has supplemental side and or thorax
airbags, do not lean against the door, airbags will inflate
forcefully into the space between you and the door.
5. If the airbag system in this vehicle needs to be
modified to accommodate a disabled person, contact the
Customer Center. Phone numbers are provided under9If
You Need Assistance9in Section 9 of this manual.
58 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

²Airbag disable lamp status (if equipped)
²9Time9of airbag deployment (in terms of ignition
cycles and vehicle mileage)
²Airbag deployment level (if applicable)
²Impact acceleration and angle
²Seatbelt status
²Brake status (service and parking brakes)
²Accelerator status (including vehicle speed)
²Engine control status (including engine speed)
²Transmission gear selection
²Cruise control status
²Traction/stability control status
²Tire pressure monitoring system status
CHILD RESTRAINT
Everyone in your vehicle needs to be buckled up at all
times Ð babies and children, too. Every state in the
United States and all Canadian provinces require that
small children ride in proper restraint systems. This is the
law, and you can be prosecuted for ignoring it.
Children 12 years and under should ride properly buck-
led up in a rear seat, if available. According to crash
statistics, children are safer when properly restrained in
the rear seats, rather than in the front.
72 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

If the seat belt has a switchable retractor, please refer to
Automatic-Locking Retractor (ALR) in this section.
²In the rear seat, you may have trouble tightening the
lap/shoulder belt on the child restraint because the
buckle or latch plate is too close to the belt path
opening on the restraint. Disconnect the latch plate
from the buckle and twist the short buckle end of the
belt several times to shorten it. Insert the latch plate
into the buckle with the release button facing out.
²If the belt still can't be tightened, or if by pulling and
pushing on the restraint loosens the belt, disconnect
the latch plate from the buckle, turn the latch plate
around, and insert the latch plate into the buckle
again. If you still can't make the child restraint secure,
try a different seating position.
²Buckle the child into the seat according to the child
restraint manufacturer's directions.
²When your child restraint is not in use, secure it in the
vehicle with the seat belt or remove it from the vehicle.
Don't leave it loose in the vehicle. In a sudden stop or
collision, it could strike the occupants or seat backs
and cause serious personal injury.
Automatic-Locking Retractor (ALR)
To operate the switchable retractor, pull the belt from the
retractor until there is enough to allow you to pass
through the child restraint and slide the latch plate into
the buckle. Then pull on the belt until it is all removed
from the retractor. Allow the belt to return into the
retractor, pulling on the excess webbing to tighten the lap
portion about the child restraint. Follow the instructions
of the child restraint manufacture.
NOTE:To reset this feature you must let all of the belt
webbing return into the retractor. You will not be able to
pull out more webbing until all of the webbing has been
returned back into the retractor.
76 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE