Chrysler PT Cruiser Pricing and Specs

There’s a range of possibilities here. The first is that even though the battery had enough urge to illuminate the dashboard lights when you turned the key, it didn’t have enough to actually spin the engine to start it.

Conversely, you might also find that there’s a problem with the wiring that takes power from the battery to the starter motor, which would also see the engine refuse to crank. But don’t rule out the obvious stuff like a blown fuse or relay in the starting system.

You might even have a problem as simple as a poorly adjusted switch that prevents the engine from starting if the transmission is not in Park. Try starting it with the gearbox in Neutral and see if that works. If it does, your transmission safety switch is a dud and needs to be either replaced or repositioned.

I'd be looking at spark, that's more often the cause of misfires. If the plugs and leads are in good order, I would be looking at engine sensors, their connections and the wiring.
 

Belts perish and stretch over time and need to be replaced even though the mileage is low in your case. We couldn't establish a recommended time, from mechanics or Chrysler dealerships, but I would suggest it would be worth changing the belt given the car is eight years old.