hello guys. i have a 2002 dodge ram 1500 4x4 with 85,1xx miles. lately my temperature guage isn't reaching the center where it usually has sat all the time. I went ahead and changed out the thermostat thinking it was sticking open but that didn't fix it. I then went ahead and changed the engine coolant temperature sensor but that didn't help either. My radiator is 2 years old along with the water pump. Any suggestions would be great. I am the first and only owner of the truck.

 

Could be the gauge isn't happy. What value 'stat did you use? Do you have access to a ScanGauge or other device that will monitor the actual temp?

 

i got the thermostat from the dealer i believe its a 195 degree thermostat. I have a tuner i will have to see if its has the ability to monitor engine temperature

 

A 195 probably won't reach the center mark. My 203 settles right at the center mark. A 180 will be considerably lower (just over 1/3).

 

If it's from the dealer it's a 195*, should settle in right around 11 o'clock on the gauge...

 

I have attached a picture of where my needle settles AFTER my thermostat has opened. Maybe someone had put in a higher temperature thermostat and im not used to the needle being where it is now after i have replced it with a thermostat straight from the dodge dealer. I also replaced the coolant temperature sensor while i was there. Take a look at the image and let me know what you guys think. Thanks for all the responses, much appreciated.

 

looks normal to me.


SJ03

 

That's about where my 180 settled. My 203 settles half-a-needle below the center. My e-fan starts half-a-needle above the center.

 

That is fine. Mine runs close to that. In the hot summer, It runs a little closer to the center. When there, my tuner shows it to be at 203* which is where it should be. In the cool/cold months, it runs about where yours is now.

 

That is normal and about where mine is as well. Sometimes it moves toward the middle but then back to around 11 o clock. My gauge was going way past the middle and that was the cause of a falling apart T Stat. Took out in pieces. Replaced all is good now.