LEMON Manuals: Even more car manuals for everyone
Home >> Chrysler >> 2011 >> 300 Base, Gas >> Repair and Diagnosis >> External Pages >> Different car >> Section 86 (5.7L - DTCS P2128 To U1418 - NGC - 3500 Cab & Chassis) >> Diagnosis and Testing >> P2181-Cooling System Performance >> Diagnostic Test

Diagnostic Test

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2011 RAM Cab & Chassis. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
  1. ACTIVE DTC 
    1. Ignition on, engine not running.
      NOTE:

      If this code sets during extreme ambient temperatures, improper installation of a block heater could be the cause of this DTC.

    2. With the scan tool, select View DTCs.
    3. Diagnose all other ECT and Cooling System codes before continuing.

      Is the DTC Active at this time?

      Yes 

      • Go To  2.

      No 

  2. LOW COOLANT LEVEL 
    NOTE:

    If a Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) DTC is set along with this code, diagnose the ECT DTC first.

    NOTE:

    Inspect the ECT terminals and related PCM terminals. Make sure the terminals are free from corrosion and damage.

    NOTE:

    The best way to diagnose this DTC is to allow the vehicle to sit overnight outside in order to have a totally cold soaked engine.

    NOTE:

    Extremely cold outside ambient temperatures may have caused this DTC to set.

    NOTE:

    Need to make sure that no Cooling System DTCs are set or changes that would make the warm up much slower or much faster: broken water pump can set this, addition of aftermarket auxiliary cooler can set this DTC.

    WARNING:

    Never open the cooling system when the engine is hot. The system is under pressure. Failure to follow these instructions can result in personal injury or death. Allow the engine to cool before opening the cooling system.

    1. Inspect the coolant system for proper level and condition.

      Is the coolant level and condition OK?

      Yes 

      • Go To  3.

      No 

      • Inspect the vehicle for a coolant leak and add the necessary amount of coolant.
      • Perform the POWERTRAIN VERIFICATION TEST. Refer to POWERTRAIN VERIFICATION TEST .
  3. THERMOSTAT 
    NOTE:

    This test works best if performed on a cold engine (cold soak).

    1. Ignition on, engine not running.
    2. With the scan tool, read the Engine Coolant Temperature Degree value. If the engine was allowed to sit overnight (cold soak), the temperature value should be a value that is close to the ambient temperature.
      NOTE:

      If engine coolant temperature is above 82° C (180° F), allow the engine to cool until 65° C (150° F) is reached.

    3. Start the engine.
    4. During engine warm-up monitor the Engine Coolant Temperature Degree value. The temp degree value change should be a smooth transition from start up to normal operating temp 82° C (180° F). Also monitor the actual coolant temperature with a thermometer.
      NOTE:

      As the engine warms up to operating temperature, the actual coolant temperature (thermometer reading) and the Engine Coolant Temperature Degree on the scan tool should stay relatively close to each other.

    5. Using the appropriate Service Information, determine the proper opening temperature of the thermostat.

      Did the thermostat open at the proper temperature?

      Yes 

      • Go To  4.

      No 

  4. ECT SENSOR 
    Fig 1: Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor Harness Connector
    GC0106663Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC
    1. Turn the ignition off.
    2. Disconnect the ECT Sensor harness connector.
    3. Ignition on, engine not running.
    4. With the scan tool, read the ECT voltage.
    5. Connect a jumper between the (K2) ECT Signal circuit and the (K900) Sensor ground circuit in the ECT Sensor harness connector.
      NOTE:

      The sensor voltage should be approximately 0.0 Volts (plus or minus.1 Volt) with the jumper wire in place.

      Does the scan tool display the voltage as described above?

      Yes 

      No 

      • Go To  5.
  5. (K2) ECT SIGNAL CIRCUIT SHORTED TO VOLTAGE 
    Fig 2: Measuring Voltage On ECT Signal Circuit In ECT Sensor Harness Connector
    GC0120336Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC
    1. Turn the ignition off.
    2. Disconnect the C2 PCM harness connector.
    3. Ignition on, engine not running.
    4. Measure the voltage on the (K2) ECT Signal circuit in the ECT Sensor harness connector.

      Is there any voltage present?

      Yes 

      • Repair the short to voltage in the (K2) ECT Signal circuit.
      • Perform the POWERTRAIN VERIFICATION TEST. Refer to POWERTRAIN VERIFICATION TEST .

      No 

      • Go To  6.
  6. (K2) ECT SIGNAL CIRCUIT OPEN 
    Fig 3: Measuring Resistance Of ECT Signal Circuit From ECT Sensor Harness Connector To Appropriate Terminal Of Special Tool #8815
    GC0120339Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC
    1. Turn the ignition off.
      CAUTION:

      Do not probe the PCM harness connectors. Probing the PCM harness connectors will damage the PCM terminals resulting in poor terminal to pin connection. Install the PCM Pinout Box (special tool #8815A, Kit, NGC, 38 Position) to perform diagnosis.

    2. Measure the resistance of the (K2) ECT Signal circuit from the ECT Sensor harness connector to the appropriate terminal of the PCM Pinout Box (special tool #8815A, Kit, NGC, 38 Position).

      Is the resistance below 5.0 Ohms?

      Yes 

      • Go To  7.

      No 

  7. (K900) SENSOR GROUND CIRCUIT OPEN 
    Fig 4: Measuring Resistance Of Sensor Ground Circuit From ECT Sensor Harness Connector To Appropriate Terminal Of Special Tool #8815
    GC0120340Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC
    1. Measure the resistance of the (K900) Sensor ground circuit from the ECT Sensor harness connector to the appropriate terminal the PCM Pinout Box (special tool #8815A, Kit, NGC, 38 Position).

      Is the resistance below 5.0 Ohms?

      Yes 

      • Go To  8.

      No 

  8. (K2) ECT SIGNAL CIRCUIT SHORTED TO GROUND 
    Fig 5: Measuring Resistance Between Ground And Sensor Signal Circuit At ECT Sensor Harness Connector
    GC0120337Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC
    1. Measure the resistance between ground and the (K2) ECT Signal circuit in the ECT Sensor harness connector.

      Is the resistance below 100 Ohms?

      Yes 

      • Repair the short to ground in the (K2) ECT Signal circuit.
      • Perform the POWERTRAIN VERIFICATION TEST. Refer to POWERTRAIN VERIFICATION TEST .

      No 

      • Go To  9.
  9. (K2) ECT SIGNAL CIRCUIT SHORTED TO THE (K900) SENSOR GROUND CIRCUIT 
    Fig 6: Measuring Resistance Between Signal Circuit And Sensor Ground Circuit In ECT Sensor Harness Connector
    GC0106666Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC
    1. Measure the resistance between the (K2) ECT Signal circuit and the (K900) Sensor ground circuit in the ECT Sensor harness connector.

      Is the resistance below 5.0 Ohms?

      Yes 

      • Repair the short between the (K900) Sensor ground and the (K2) ECT Signal circuit.
      • Perform the POWERTRAIN VERIFICATION TEST. Refer to POWERTRAIN VERIFICATION TEST .

      No 

      • Go To  10.
  10. POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) 
    1. Using the wiring diagram/schematic as a guide, inspect the wiring and connectors between the related Sensor and the Powertrain Control Module (PCM).
    2. Look for any chafed, pierced, pinched or partially broken wires.
    3. Look for broken, bent, pushed out or corroded terminals. Verify that there is good pin to terminal contact in the related Sensor and the Powertrain Control Module connectors.
    4. Perform any Technical Service Bulletins that may apply.

      Were there any problems found?

      Yes 

      No 

      • Replace and program the Powertrain Control Module in accordance with the Service Information.
      • Perform the POWERTRAIN VERIFICATION TEST. Refer to POWERTRAIN VERIFICATION TEST .
scientia non olet · About LEMON Manuals