Trouble code P2181 on 2008 Grand Caravan
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Trouble code P2181 on 2008 Grand Caravan
Good day all. I really need some help. I have a Grand Caravan 2008 model and recently it has been giving some trouble. I'm going to attempt to resolve this issue myself instead of paying a mechanic several hundred dollars to fix it (nothing against mechanics, but we're trying to tighten the belt as much as we can).
So, lately if I leave the van sitting idle, the Electronic Throttle Control and check engine lights will come on. When this happens, two very distinct things will happen:
1. The temperature gauge will drop to cold, as if it had been disconnected, AND;
2. A fan (or what sounds like a fan) will begin to race very fast. It almost sounds like the fan starts racing as fast a possible to keep the radiator cool.
If I turn the van completely off, and then back on again, the check engine light remains on, but it runs fine until this happens again. I've checked the coolant level and it is full (the reservoir is also about half full).
I took it to Advance Auto and they ran a code scanner, which returned only one code: P2181 - Engine Cooling System Performance. The Advance Auto employee said it was probably a sticking or malfunctioning thermostat, but I wanted to get some other opinions before I buy one.
If anyone has any clues or ideas as to which way I should approach this, I would most thankful.
So, lately if I leave the van sitting idle, the Electronic Throttle Control and check engine lights will come on. When this happens, two very distinct things will happen:
1. The temperature gauge will drop to cold, as if it had been disconnected, AND;
2. A fan (or what sounds like a fan) will begin to race very fast. It almost sounds like the fan starts racing as fast a possible to keep the radiator cool.
If I turn the van completely off, and then back on again, the check engine light remains on, but it runs fine until this happens again. I've checked the coolant level and it is full (the reservoir is also about half full).
I took it to Advance Auto and they ran a code scanner, which returned only one code: P2181 - Engine Cooling System Performance. The Advance Auto employee said it was probably a sticking or malfunctioning thermostat, but I wanted to get some other opinions before I buy one.
If anyone has any clues or ideas as to which way I should approach this, I would most thankful.
Last edited by jlb4350; Nov 2, 2013 at 07:47 PM. Reason: Additional info
Champion
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 3,053
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From: Mopar HQ
I('m not a technician, so I can't help much.
Below is some information from the factory service manual. Maybe it will help someone help you.
P2181-COOLING SYSTEM PERFORMANCE
When Monitored:
With the engine running and no Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor DTCs present.
Set Condition:
The ECT sensor voltage should only change at a certain rate. If this rate is too slow or too fast, this fault will set. Two trip fault. Three good trips to clear MIL. ETC light will illuminate on first trip failure.
Possible Causes
ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE SENSOR WIRING OR CONNECTORS
(K2) ECT SIGNAL CIRCUIT HIGH RESISTANCE
(K900) SENSOR GROUND CIRCUIT HIGH RESISTANCE
ENGINE COOLANT LEVEL AND CONDITION
THERMOSTAT
ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE SENSOR
POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM)
Below is some information from the factory service manual. Maybe it will help someone help you.
P2181-COOLING SYSTEM PERFORMANCE
When Monitored:
With the engine running and no Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor DTCs present.
Set Condition:
The ECT sensor voltage should only change at a certain rate. If this rate is too slow or too fast, this fault will set. Two trip fault. Three good trips to clear MIL. ETC light will illuminate on first trip failure.
Possible Causes
ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE SENSOR WIRING OR CONNECTORS
(K2) ECT SIGNAL CIRCUIT HIGH RESISTANCE
(K900) SENSOR GROUND CIRCUIT HIGH RESISTANCE
ENGINE COOLANT LEVEL AND CONDITION
THERMOSTAT
ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE SENSOR
POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM)
