Diagnostic Test

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2016 Dodge Journey and 2015 Dodge Journey. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

CHECK THE COOLANT LEVEL AND CONDITION
NOTE:
It may be necessary to drive the vehicle to meet the conditions to set this DTC, try to repeat the conditions in which the fault originally set by reviewing the Freeze Frame data.

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.

WARNING:
Never open the cooling system when the engine is hot. The system is under pressure. Extreme burns or scalding may result. Failure to follow these instructions can result in possible serious or fatal injury. Allow the engine to cool before opening the cooling system.
1. Inspect the cooling system for proper level and condition.
  Is the coolant level and condition OK?
  
  Yes
  - Go To 2
  No
  - Inspect the vehicle for a coolant leak, make the appropriate repairs and add the correct amount of coolant. Refer to SPECIFICATIONS .
  - Perform the POWERTRAIN VERIFICATION TEST. Refer to POWERTRAIN VERIFICATION TEST . .
THERMOSTAT OPERATION
NOTE:
This test works best if performed on a cold engine (cold soak).
1. Turn the ignition on.
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 sensible value that is somewhere 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 temperature 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 digital thermometer at or near the ECT Sensor and Thermostat positions.
  NOTE:
  As the engine warms up to operating temperature, the actual coolant temperature (thermometer reading) and the scan tool Engine Coolant Temperature degree values 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 3
  No
  - Replace the thermostat in accordance with the Service Information. Refer to THERMOSTAT, REMOVAL .
  - Perform the POWERTRAIN VERIFICATION TEST. Refer to POWERTRAIN VERIFICATION TEST . .
ECT SENSOR OPERATION
Was the digital thermometer readings relatively close to the scan tool reading for the ECT Sensor?

Yes
- Go To 4
No
- Replace the Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor in accordance with the Service Information. Refer to SENSOR, COOLANT TEMPERATURE, REMOVAL .
- Perform the POWERTRAIN VERIFICATION TEST. Refer to POWERTRAIN VERIFICATION TEST . .
COOLING SYSTEM OPERATION
1. Check the temperature reading at the inlet and outlet of the Radiator.
  NOTE:
  It is normal to see a lower temperature on the outlet of the Radiator, however a very large difference indicates a restriction in the Radiator core. This can cause this DTC to set due to the position on the ETC Sensor in the system.
  
  Was the difference in the temperature readings relatively larger than expected?
  
  Yes
  - Replace the Radiator in accordance with the Service Information. Refer to RADIATOR, ENGINE COOLING, REMOVAL .
  - Perform the POWERTRAIN VERIFICATION TEST. Refer to. .
  No
  - Replace the Powertrain Control Module in accordance with the Service Information. Refer to MODULE, POWERTRAIN CONTROL, REMOVAL .
  - Perform the POWERTRAIN VERIFICATION TEST. Refer to. .