I have a 2005 Grand Caravan SE. For the last few days whenever I start the van the temp gauge goes to H within 5 minutes of driving, the temp light comes on and it dings. The first time this happened I started pulling off to the side immediately but the temp dropped to normal in about 5 seconds. I thought it was a fluke. It's happened now several times. The last couple of days it's been colder so I switched on the heater when I heard the ding. The temp drops to normal within seconds of the temp alert sound, faster than it would if it was actually overheating and using the heater to try to bring down the temp. After the temp drops back down to the normal range, it doesn't go back up, whether or not I have the heat on. Last night I was watching the temp like a hawk and turned on the heater as soon as I noticed it start to climb. The gauge didn't make it to the H last night. When the heater is blowing, the air temp coming out varies. Sometimes it's hot and then goes cold then back to hot, back and forth.

I'm hoping that it's something easy and cheap to fix but I don't have that kind of luck. Could it be the thermostat sticking? I can't really afford to go without a car and can't afford to fix it. Has anyone heard of this before and have any idea on how to fix it cheaply?

Thanks

 

Have you checked the coolant level? Usually when they overheat, you lose coolant. The more you lose, the less the guage goes up and the less heat you get. Do you hear the fans in the engine compartment running when it gets hot? Pretty common cause of overheat.

 

I have the same problem with a 95 2.5l , be nice to know what does this.

Yes coolant levels have been checked and are full.

 

'95's blow the fuse link for the radiator fans. They are in a bundle up by the washer tank

 

Thank's Tizzy1.....that's what it was.

 

i just ran into the same problem with my 2006 Grand Caravan, and mainly due to my fault. I was refilling the coolant through the overflow box instead of directly to the radiator.

after some research online, i open the radiator cap, and fill it up to 1" off the top, and let it set a while, then turn the car on for a minute; put the cap back on.

i did this with the car park on a ramp, head up, article said.

and i got the hot air back now, and temp guage stays at middle as before.

oh, here's another interesting thing, when I tried to troubleshoot the issue, I can feel hot air if i put circulate the air internally, but if i turn it off, or blow on windshield, it's cold. so at begining i thought there's something wrong with some switches which I can't fix.

I am glad I stick with the plan, decide to resolve the matter myself.

V

PS: hi to the Dodge World & Caravan Forum.