Chrysler Repair: 08 PT Cruiser wont start: code 0688, negative battery cable, gas warning

Question
QUESTION: Hello!
I am having trouble with my PT Cruiser, and really hope you can help.

I have a 2008 Turbo PT Cruiser with about 55,000 miles, I am the second owner and it was previously used as a rental car.

I had the dealer try to track down a problem when the engine light came on about a week after purchase, it was a "misfire code" they said there was not a problem found with the cylinders but they changed the plugs and wires then cleared the code. It came back on again recently (PO302).

This weekend I was driving about 20 mph, taking a turn, when the engine just died. I coasted to a stop, parked on the street and noticed the engine seemed very hot (the yellow arm to hold up the hood was almost too hot to touch) but temp gauge on dash was pretty much in the middle between hot and cold, where it normally is.

I let it cool off for about 2 hours, returned to car and tried to start it. It sounds like it wants to start, like if i pumped the gas it would catch and turn over but it didn't. I had it towed home, tried again, still not starting.

I retrieved the error codes, PO302, and PO688. I disconnected the negative battery cable for 10 mins, which cleared the codes but still not turning over.

I removed the "plug" on the side of timing belt area, although I don't know exactly what I'm looking for, there are two "things" in there and they both spin when we try to start it. I listened in the fuel door and heard a "swoosh" type sound when we turned the key.

My neighbor offered to help, he used a gauge to check the fuel pressure, he said it was very low, and feels it may be the fuel pump. From my limited knowledge it seems like a fuel pump issue is rare with this make/model at only 55K. I often do not keep a lot of gas in the car, not filling it up at all but getting about 8-10 gallons when the light comes on or within 25 miles of the low gas warning light, so I suppose that could be a factor.

I don't know it it means anything but the air filter looks pretty grimy on the side closest to the engine, almost like oil has blowing through it, but as you can see I'm not that familiar with how engines work so it may not be anything unusual at all.

Any help or advice you can offer would be greatly appreciated. I would like to try to diagnose the problem and see if there's something we can do before taking it to a shop.
Thanks!
~ Amber

ANSWER: Hi Amber,
The 0688 points toward the automatic shutdown relay located in the power module box in the engine compartment with all the fuses, etc. Take a look at fuse #18 (40amp) to see if it is blown or has a subtle crack in its internal wire. If that looks OK then find the automatic shutdown relay and try exchanging it out with another relay that has the same part number but which is not associated with the engine function. Then try starting the engine.
You didn't mention what the friend's fuel pump pressure reading was.
But the ASD relay being flaky might explain the fuel pump issue, though the engine has to be running for you to get an accurate fuel pump reading (or you would have to 'jump' power to the pump if not running). So I would set the fuel pump question aside for the moment.
The relay is in the same box as the fuses but the manual doesn't id its location so look for label in the box or on its lid.
The 0302 is probably not responsible for the present no start situration. The air filter is not abnormal.
Roland

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for your quick response!

I located fuse #18, ASD Relay Contact PWR Feed, & it looked fine, but I swapped it for another 40 amp cartridge fuse anyhow (#9 Power Seats). I hit the gas because it sounded like that's what it wanted, but it just gasped/sputtered then died.

I located 2 ENG ASD Relay Feed fuses (1 & 2) they looked fine, but I swapped them both for other 15 amp fuses (Power Outlet & ING Run/Acc Cigar Ltr/Sunroof) and there was no change. It is sooo close to fully turning over, its frustrating! It sounds like it's missing the actual last final step to fully starting, whatever that is! When i give it a little gas tap it really thinks about it a second then just conks out.

Do you think there is something else I can try next? Your advice is really appreciated!

Answer
Keep checking for a fault code after you have tried to start it. You would do well to cancel the existing codes again so as not to confuse old with new codes.
How about charging the battery if you have access to a charger?
And maybe put in a couple of gallons of fuel in the tank if you are low now.
How about the ASD relay itself? Locate and try switching it out likewise as you have the fuses as that might have corroded points or a weak actuation coil.
Those are my thoughts for now.
Roland