Hi everyone,
So I am new to the forum and wanted to find some help. I have a 2012 Dodge Journey 3.6 L that is having some issues with heat.
I have the fan on full blast and it pushes air just fine, but very little heat. i checked the on board dash in the menu for coolant temp and it only gets to 88 degrees - 190 F. is that normal or is the thermostat in need of replacing?

 

Sounds normal. Probably a clogged heater core or malfunctioning blend door(s). Common problem on the Journeys.

 

Ok thanks,
Just ran it again and got the temp up to 107 C.
I would assume that a code would be thrown of the thermostat was stuck?!?. Blend doors might be the issue, getting heat on the drivers side but not on the passenger side. Is the work easy to accomplish to inspect and replace the blend door issue?

 

Heater core is probable. If you have someone run the temp controls, you should be able to put an ear next to the duct work and hear the doors tapping into their extreme positions. (Sounds like a real soft "thud"..at least it does on ours.)

Eric O at the south main auto channel on youtube has some really good videos detailing issues with some dodge trucks and heater core issues. He does a flush of the heater core using a special fixture. We'll need to do ours eventually as we have a lot of heat on the driver's side, but the passenger side is very weak. (so-so at the center dash vent...stone cold at the extreme passenger side vent)

As mentioned, both are common issues. Sadly, the heater core replacement can be a real challenge.

S-

 

have you checked the water level. You can get inconsistent heat with low radiator water.

 

im in the same boat. Just purchased a 2012 with v6 and weak heat on drivers side, no heat on passenger. If you remove the glove box you can see 2 of the actuators for the blend doors. Mine are moving fine so its a clogged heater core. Going to attempt replacement myself. On the 2012 its a little more difficult but doable. There is an easy way and a hard way. I'm going the easy way. Hard way is removing the dash.

 

Mine ended up being a water pump, it was leaking, probably the weep hole. It was replaced at an independent garage. I needed it right away. It cost me $1149.00 to have it done. No problems since it was replaced.