Dodge 2001 Ram 1500 Owner's Manual page 347

7 - 12 COOLING
COOLING (Continued)
CONDITION
COOLANT COLOR
COOLANT LEVEL
CHANGES IN
COOLANT RESERVE/
OVERFLOW TANK.
TEMPERATURE
GAUGE IS IN NORMAL
RANGE
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - COOLING SYSTEM
DIESEL ENGINE
CONDITION
TEMPERATUREGAUGE READS
LOW
TEMPERATURE GAUGE READS
HIGH. COOLANT MAY OR MAY
NOT BE LEAKING FROM SYSTEM
POSSIBLE CAUSES
1. Coolant color is not necessarily an
indication of adequate corrosion or
temperature protection. Do not rely on
coolant color for determining condition of
coolant.
1. Level changes are to be expected as
coolant volume fluctuates with engine
temperature. If the level in the tank was
between the FULL and ADD marks at
normal operating temperature, the level
should return to within that range after
operation at elevated temperatures.
COOLING SYSTEM DIAGNOSIS—DIESEL ENGINE
POSSIBLE CAUSES
1. Vehicle is equipped with a heavy
duty cooling system.
2. Temperature gauge not
connected
3. Temperature gauge connected
but not operating.
4. Coolant level low.
1. Vehicle overloaded, high ambient
(outside) temperatures with A/C
turned on, stop and go driving or
prolonged operation at idle speeds.
2. Temperature gauge not
functioning correctly.
3. Air traped in cooling
4. Radiator cap faulty.
5. Plugged A/C or radiator cooling
fins.
CORRECTION
1. (Refer to LUBRICATION &
MAINTENANCE/FLUID TYPES -
DESCRIPTION). Adjust coolant mixture
as necessary.
1. A normal condition. No repair is
necessary.
CORRECTION
1. None. System operating normaly.
2. Connect gauge.
3. Check gauge. Refer (Refer to 8 -
ELECTRICAL/INSTRUMENT
CLUSTER - DIAGNOSIS AND
TESTING)
4. Fill cooling system. (Refer to 7 -
COOLING - STANDARD
PROCEDURE)
1. Temporary condition, repair not
required. Notify customer of vehicle
operation instructions located in
Owners Manual.
2. Check gauge. (Refer to 8 -
ELECTRICAL/INSTRUMENT
CLUSTER - DIAGNOSIS AND
TESTING)
3. Drain cooling system (Refer to 7 -
COOLING - STANDARD
PROCEDURE) and refill (Refer to 7
- COOLING - STANDARD
PROCEDURE)
4. Replace radiator cap.
5. Clean all debre away from A/C
and radiator cooling fins.
BR/BE