2013 Ram 1500 Coolant related check engine light

[Mike_P]

My 2013 3.6L engine is blowing my mind. If I let the truck fully warm up in driveway way for 30 minutes or so the coolant temperature will reach 228 degrees and fan kicks on as normal. If I do not warm the engine for a long period of time and start driving coolant temp rises to 185 degrees and sticks there for a long time and then of course check engine light turns on with error code P0128. Can anyone help with possible solutions?

 

[Ken226]

My 2013 3.6L engine is blowing my mind. If I let the truck fully warm up in driveway way for 30 minutes or so the coolant temperature will reach 228 degrees and fan kicks on as normal. If I do not warm the engine for a long period of time and start driving coolant temp rises to 185 degrees and sticks there for a long time and then of course check engine light turns on with error code P0128. Can anyone help with possible solutions?

Replace the thermostat. Yours is stuck open.

The temp reaches a normal value while sitting because no air is flowing through the radiator. When the coolant reach 228, your PCM activates the cooling fan, and the airflow through the radiator starts removing heat.

When you are driving, air flows through the radiator continuously and removes heat from the coolant. Because the thermostat is stuck open, it can't regulate the temperature and your engine is being overcooled.


Use an OEM thermostat if possible.

 

[Mike_P]

Replaced the thermostat (not OEM). Temperature not stuck any longer but rarely goes over 190-193 if truck is moving. The check engine light comes on and if I stop to look under the hood I notice the fan is on at that temperature. Any ideas what is going on?

 

[Wild one]

Replaced the thermostat (not OEM). Temperature not stuck any longer but rarely goes over 190-193 if truck is moving. The check engine light comes on and if I stop to look under the hood I notice the fan is on at that temperature. Any ideas what is going on?

If you have the A/C on the engine fan should be on.Turn the A/C completely off and try it again.Sounds like you replaced the thermostat with either a 180 or 192 thermostat.
Did you check the thermostat prior to installing it by chucking it in a pot of water on the stove and using a meat thermometer etc to monitor the temp it opens and closes at.
These days the odds of getting a good thermostat aren't great,you have a better chance of getting a dud new thermostat then you do of getting a good one.The days of buying a thermostat and it lasting 10 years are long gone.
If you have a good functioning thermostat don't change it for a new thermostat cause you think it should be changed

 

[Mike_P]

Thermostat is a 192. I now have a Mopar thermostat that I will likely install. It will fully open around 220. Is it possible that the check engine light comes on because the temperature is too low using the 192? I’m confused.