What would cause a P.T Cruiser to lose mph and not go anywhere

The engine runs the power steering pump. When the engine dies, you lose power steering ASSIST. You do NOT lose steering! It does NOT lock. It's just harder to steer. There is no way for us to guess what's causing your engine to die with the scarce information you provided. Get it to a shop to have it checked out.

sounds like blown head gasket

BODY CONTROLL MODUALE

wits end. my specialty.
first off intermittent are hard hair pullers.
but I find them all with patience and tools, and setting traps.
guessing is a waste of cash and time. stop that.please.
the first question is:
can you save it with your right fast foot, #1 top importance !
15 min just idling
only moving or both.. try to say when it happens.
in gear , out of gear. etc.

first off there are only 4 basics engine stalling causes.
1: lost power (12v) to EFI , any voltmeter can catch this.
2: lost compression in engine (bad engine) only hot. (gauge it)
3: lost spark. easy to see with any strobe light or $2 spark tester or actual spare spark plug..
4: and last, Bad fueling. staving or too much and flooding.
this is easy to find. look at all spark tips.
dry , starving, wet flooding. (1920- to now, no change)

i can not go past this until my First questions above.

there is no need to guess ever.
all the tests are simple and the tools dirt cheap.
less than 5% of costs already !

I would want to know what the trouble codes are in the computer since the check engine light is on.
Those codes would help you or a mechanic know where to start checking.
If the alternator is not charging the battery, and you know for a fact the battery and alternator are ok, the problem could be a fuse or fuseable link wire, or the computer.

Not alot of information given here.Might possibly be the timing belt.Good not to try and restart that car until you know for sure. It could cause damage to the engine.

hi mike.
go to this link and it might help you to find out why.
2005 pt cruiser touring model losing power Google Search

hotwiring will not unlock your ignition which also controls your steering lock perhaps you can call the dealership and have the courier a key will cost you more but it may still be better for you they will ask you for vin number and perhaps proof of ownership it cannot hurt to call and ask

Fuel pump is not pumping hard enough anymore. Have a mechanic check the pressure. Either pump is bad or the fuels filter is clogged. One other thing that causes this is a clogged Calalytic Converter.

You could just need a wheel alignment otherwise it sounds like your cv joints.