Hello everyone, Names Ryne, Seeing as I've done a lot of research I'd try and pick some brains.
I have a 1997 Dodge Dakota v6 with a small amount of miles of 121k.
I live in a nice cold state where winters suck.
my problem is my truck thermostat is weird. Its been replaced twice. Last one was last summer. In summer the thermostat will do what its supppse to. 180-195. But winter time it stays around 150? Its just passed the first "safe range" bar. Heat sucks and even after warming up 30m or driving it shows no change. It had a fan clutch replacement last summer as well. Coolant is topped off. I checked and fan clutch isnt locked. Thermostat isnt stuck open as coolant isnt moving when first started. There is a dashboard vacuum leak but I'm not entirely sure that would bother the temperature. I am at a complete lost as what in the world could be the issue. My manual book for dakota's/Durangos doesn't do much to help. I'm wondering if radiator flush would help. It has also had 2 computer replacements.

After hour of driving/warming up

 

Wonder if the thermostat isn't closing completely..... Flushing the radiator isn't going to help... as you are not over-heating, you are under-heating. What temp thermostat is currently installed? What brand?

 

if my memory serves me correctly its a murray that i got from oreilly.

Edit: i think when it was installed it didn't come with gasket so friend gave me some kinda silicone grease.

 

Until you figure out the actual problem, you can put a piece of cardboard across a third of the radiator. It'll help it warm up until the weather gets better. As to the actual problem, it is possible to have a bad thermostat out of the box. I replaced a thermostat on my work beater that was overheating, and the new thermostat is stuck wide open. I've got cardboard on mine and it reaches operating temps, but it still takes about 3 times longer to get there than it should.

 

Think I would replace the thermostat (again....) with a good stant stat. 195* please. See if that changes anything.

 

That might be a part of your issue right there. Never seen someone use silicone on that. It might interfere with the closing. I assume you're talking RTV as "silicone grease" is a lubricant and won't seal anything.

 

x2 on using a "Winter Front". It's common on diesels to block half the radiator during winter.

 

Fixed the thermostat problem. Now gotta address my other issues. I'll look into them, but i'll post here see of anyone has any ideas. A spark caused by the battery cause the alternator to blow. I just replaced the alternator but now i have check gauges light on. Could it be because some of the fuses blew?
i know it goes on when my headlights are turned on.

 

What do the other gauges have to say when the check gauges lite comes on? That generally means that one of your gauges is trying to tell you something. See what the volt gauge has to say with the headlights on.

 

the battery gauge is below the safety line before i turn on lights. Im not too sure what that issue is.