Chrysler Stratus Convertible. Manual - part 222

CONDITION

POSSIBLE CAUSE

CORRECTION

TEMPERATURE GAUGE READS
HIGH OR ENGINE COOLANT
WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATES.
COOLANT MAY OR MAY NOT BE
LOST FROM SYSTEM.

1. Trailer being towed, a steep hill
being climbed, vehicle being
operated in slow moving traffic, or
engine idling during high ambient
(outside) temperatures with air
conditioning on. High altitudes
Could aggravate these conditions.

1. This may be a temporary
condition and repair is not
necessary. Turn off the air
conditioning and drive the vehicle
without any of the previous
conditions. Observe the temperature
gauge the gauge should return to
the normal range. If the gauge does
not return to the normal range,
determine the cause of the
overheating and repair. Refer to
POSSIBLE CAUSES in this section.

2. Is temperature gauge (if
equipped) reading correctly?

2. Check gauge. Refer to
INSTRUMENT PANEL AND
SYSTEMS. Repair as necessary.

3. Is temperature warning lamp (if
equipped) illuminating
unnecessarily?

3. Check warning lamp operation.
Refer to INSTRUMENT PANEL AND
SYSTEMS. Repair as necessary.

4. Coolant low in recovery/reserve
container and radiator?

4. Check for coolant leaks and
repair as necessary. Refer to
Checking Cooling System for Leaks
in this section.

5. Pressure cap not installed tightly.
If cap is loose, boiling point of
coolant will be lowered. Also refer
to the following step 6.

5. Tighten cap.

6. Poor seals at radiator cap.

6. (a) Check condition of cap and
cap seals. Refer to Radiator cap
Inspection. Replace cap if
necessary.

(b) Check condition of filler neck. If
neck is bent or damaged, replace
neck.

7. Coolant level low in radiator, but
not in coolant recovery/reserve
container. This indicates the
radiator is not drawing coolant from
the coolant recovery/reserve
container as the engine cools. As
the engine cools, a vacuum is
formed inside the cooling system. If
the radiator cap seals are defective,
or the cooling system has a leak, a
vacuum cannot be formed.

7. (a) Check condition of radiator
cap and cap seals. Replace cap if
necessary.

(b) Check condition of filler neck.
Replace if damaged.

(c) Check condition of hose from
filler neck to coolant container. It
should be tight at both ends without
any kinks or tears. Replace hose as
necessary.

(d) Check coolant recovery/reserve
container and hose for blockage.
Repair as necessary.

8. Freeze point of coolant not
correct. Mixture ratio may be too
rich.

8. Check coolant concentration.
Refer to Coolant Concentration
Testing in this section. Adjust
glycol-to-water ratio as required.

COOLING SYSTEM

7 - 7

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING (Continued)

CONDITION

POSSIBLE CAUSE

CORRECTION

9. Coolant not flowing through
system.

9. Check for coolant flow at filler
neck with some coolant removed,
engine warm, and thermostat open.
Coolant should be observed flowing
through filler neck. If flow is not
observed, determine reason for lack
of flow and repair as necessary.

10. Radiator or A/C condenser fins
are dirty or clogged.

10. Clean obstruction from fins.

11. Radiator core is plugged or
corroded.

11. Replace or re-core radiator.

12. Fuel or ignition system
problems.

12. Refer to Fuel and Ignition
System groups for diagnosis. Also
refer to the appropriate Powertrain
Diagnostic Procedure manual.

13. Dragging Brakes.

13. Inspect brake system and repair
as necessary. Refer to BRAKES for
diagnosis.

14 Bug screen or other aftermarket
accessory is being used causing
reduced air flow.

14. Remove bug screen or
accessory.

15. Thermostat partially or
completely closed.

15. Check thermostat operation and
replace as necessary. Refer to
thermostat in this section for
procedure.

16. Electric cooling fan not
operating properly.

16. Check electric fan operation and
repair as necessary.

17. Cylinder head gasket leaking.

17. Check cylinder head gasket for
leaks. Refer to testing cooling
system for leaks. For repairs, refer
to ENGINE.

18. Heater core leaking.

18. Check heater core for leaks.
Refer to HEATING AND AIR
CONDITIONING and repair as
necessary.

TEMPERATURE GAUGE READING
IS INCONSISTENT (FLUCTUATES,
CYCLES OR IS ERRATIC)

1. The gauge may cycle up and
down. This is due to the cycling of
the electric radiator fan.

1. A normal condition. No correction
is necessary. If gauge cycling is
going into the hot zone, check
electric fan operation and repair as
necessary. Refer to procedure in
this section.

2. During cold weather operation
with the heater blower in the high
position, the gauge reading may
drop slightly.

2. A normal condition. No correction
is necessary.

3, Temperature gauge or engine
mounted gauge sensor is defective
or shorted.

3. Check operation of gauge and
repair as necessary. Refer to
INSTRUMENT PANEL AND
SYSTEMS.

7 - 8

COOLING SYSTEM

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING (Continued)

CONDITION

POSSIBLE CAUSE

CORRECTION

4. Gauge reading rises when
vehicle is brought to a stop after
heavy use (engine still running).

4. A normal condition. No correction
is necessary. The gauge should
return to normal range after vehicle
is driven.

5. Gauge reading high after
restarting a warmed-up (hot)
engine.

5. A normal condition. No correction
is necessary. The gauge should
return to normal range after a few
minutes of engine operation.

6. Coolant level low in radiator (air
will build up in the cooling system
causing the thermostat to open
late).

6. Check and correct coolant leaks.
Refer to Testing Cooling System For
Leaks in the section.

7. Cylinder head gasket leaking
allowing exhaust gas to enter
cooling system. This will cause
thermostat to open late.

7. (a) Check for cylinder head
gasket leaks using Tool C-3685-A
Block Leak Tester or the equivalent.
Repair as necessary.

(b) Check for coolant in the engine
oil. Inspect for white steam emitting
from exhaust system. Repair as
necessary.

8. Water pump impeller loose on
shaft.

8. Check water pump and replace
as necessary. Refer to Water Pump
in this section.

9. Loose drive belt (water pump
slipping).

9. Check drive belt and correct as
necessary.

10. Air leak on the suction side of
water pump allows air to build up in
cooling system. This will cause the
thermostat to open late.

10. Locate leak and repair as
necessary.

PRESSURE CAP IS BLOWING
OFF STEAM AND/OR COOLANT
FLOWING INTO RECOVERY
CONTAINER. TEMPERATURE
GAUGE READING MAY BE ABOVE
NORMAL, BUT NOT HIGH.
COOLANT LEVEL MAY BE HIGH
IN RECOVERY CONTAINER.

1. Pressure relief valve in radiator
cap is defective.

1. Check condition of radiator cap
and seals. Refer to Radiator Cap in
this section. Replace as necessary.

COOLANT LOSS TO THE
GROUND WITHOUT PRESSURE
CAP BLOWOFF. GAUGE IS
READING HIGH OR HOT.

1. Coolant leaks in radiator, cooling
system hoses, water pump or
engine.

1. Pressure test and repair as
necessary. Refer to Testing Cooling
System For Leaks in this section.

DETONATION OR PRE-IGNITION
(NOT CAUSED BY IGNITION
SYSTEM). GAUGE MAY OR MAY
NOT BE READING HIGH.

1. Engine overheating.

1. Check reason for overheating
and repair as necessary.

2. Freeze point of coolant not
correct.

2. Check the freeze point of the
coolant. Refer to Coolant
Concentration Testing in this
section. Adjust glycol-to-water ratio
as required.

COOLING SYSTEM

7 - 9

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING (Continued)

CONDITION

POSSIBLE CAUSE

CORRECTION

HOSE OR HOSES COLLAPSE
WHEN ENGINE IS COOLING

1. Vacuum created in cooling
system on engine cool-down is not
being relieved through coolant
recovery/reserve container system.

1. (a) Radiator cap relief valve
stuck. Refer to Radiator Cap in this
section. Replace as necessary.

(b) Hose between coolant
recovery/reserve container and
radiator is kinked. Repair as
necessary.

(d) Recovery/reserve container is
internally blocked or plugged. Check
for blockage and repair as
necessary.

ELECTRIC RADIATOR FAN
OPERATES ALL THE TIME.

1. Fan relay, powertrain control
module (PCM) or engine coolant
temperature sensor defective.

1. Refer to appropriate Powertrain
Diagnostic Procedures manual for
operation of the DRB scan tool.
Repair as necessary.

2. Check for low coolant level.

2. Repair as necessary.

ELECTRIC RADIATOR FAN WILL
NOT OPERATE. GAUGE READING
HIGH OR HOT

1. Fan motor defective.

1. Refer to appropriate Powertrain
Diagnostic Procedures manual for
operation of the DRB scan tool.
Repair as necessary.

2. Fan relay, powertrain control
module (PCM) or engine coolant
temperature sensor defective.

2. Refer to appropriate Powertrain
Diagnostic Procedures manual for
operation of the DRB scan tool.
Repair as necessary.

3. Blown fuse in power distribution
center (PDC).

3. Determine reason for blown fuse
and repair as necessary.

NOISY FAN

1. Fan blade loose.

1. Replace fan blade assembly.
Refer to Cooling System Fan in this
section.

2. Fan blade striking a surrounding
object.

2. Locate point of fan blade contact
and repair as necessary.

3. Air obstructions at radiator or A/C
condenser.

3. Remove obstructions and/or
clean debris from radiator and/or
A/C condenser.

4. Electric fan motor defective.

4. Refer to procedure in this section.

7 - 10

COOLING SYSTEM

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING (Continued)

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