Dodge Dakota Problem

[mopardave]

Has anyone experienced this? My Dakota is a Quad Cab high output 4.7L, standard transmission, 3.92 gears. In July, the temp gauge started pegging at hot for two or three seconds and then drops back to normal. The condition has worsened but it does not appear that the truck is actually getting hot. So far, the dealer has changed the clutch fan, the water pump, the thermostat, and the sending unit. The problem still persists. To day, I called customer care to see if I could get any help. Their response was that as long as the service rep is listing the problem as normal and customary, they will not do anything else. I don't like the idea of pulling the trailer to Tulsa without a gauge that is working properly (assuming that the truck is really not heating up). Since Chrysler is not willing to do anything else under my extended warranty, I am looking for suggestions.

[blackcat]

Dave, the only other suggestion would be to change out the gauge....

[mopardave]

They put another gauge on the truck and kept it overnight and it read the same as the one in the truck, but the coolant temp never went up. I know the signal passes through three modules between the sending unit and the gauge, but Chrysler will not authorize changing out the modules. I really think it is in the signal as opposed to the actual cooling system. I can put a mechanical gauge on the truck that bypasses the electronics, but for a truck with 24000 miles on it, I would prefer they find the problem.

[Dreamcast18]

MoparDave: Have u tried another dealership? There;s one that was close to me but had horrible service writers. I ended up driving 1 hr away for all my Chrysler work now, simply cuz they will do everything to fix something, even if its not in the rule book.

[mopardave]

The problem with going to another dealer is that all the local dealers are in the Pittsburgh region and they all have the same dealer rep that says that this normal and customary and therfore not a problem. But I have never seen a gauge act this way.

[Dreamcast18]

Check your PM.

The problem with going to another dealer is that all the local dealers are in the Pittsburgh region and they all have the same dealer rep that says that this normal and customary and therfore not a problem. But I have never seen a gauge act this way.

[mopardave]

Thanks got the info, its worth a try

[Kruisin Kat]

My box truck for my business has the same thing happening. It goes as high as 3/4 up the gauge and then drops to just under 1/2, back and forth every 5 miles or so. It doesn't matter if its hot or cold out. This is normally a thermostat problem (sticking or worn). I just haven't wanted to get into the repair right now since the truck will not fit into my garage.

If it were my truck, I would change the thermostat again. They may have installed a defective "new" thermostat. I had that happen years ago in a Caravan. I went through all the same list of parts as you listed and a radiator too. Someone told me to change the T-stat again. It worked! Hundreds of $$ later and hours of frustration all because a "new" T-stat was defective.

This may or may not be the fix but trying another T-stat could be worth it considering the cost of one.

Good luck.

[mopardave]

Right now I am open to all suggestions. Since the truck is really not getting hot, I don't think its the t-stat, but its worth a try.

[mopardave]

Well, after six months and $2000.00 (all paid by warranty), they found the problem today. There was a hair line crack in the new water pump allowing the impeller to "slip" on the shaft. Worked fine at low speeds but would just "idle" at higher RPM's. I am glad it is finally fixed.