Dodge 2001 Ram 1500 Owner's Manual page 348

BR/BE
COOLING (Continued)
CONDITION
TEMPERATURE GAUGE READING
INCONSISTENT ( ERRATIC,
CYCLES OR FLUCTUATES)
RADIATOR CAP LEAKING STEAM
AND /OR COOLANT INTO
RESERVOIR BOTTLE.
(TEMPERATURE GAUGE MAY
READ HIGH)
POSSIBLE CAUSES
6. Coolant mixture incorrect.
7. Thermostat stuck shut.
8. Bug screen or winter front being
used.
9. Viscous fan drive not operating
properly.
10. Cylinder head gasket leaking.
11. Heater core leaking.
12. cooling system hoses leaking.
13. Brakes dragging.
1. Heavy duty cooling system,
extream cold ambient (outside)
temperature or heater blower motor
in high position.
2. Temperature gauge or gauge
sensor defective.
3. Temporary heavy usage or load.
4. Air traped in cooling system.
5. Water pump
6. Air leak on suction side of water
pump.
1. Radiator cap defective.
2. Radiator neck surface damaged.
COOLING
CORRECTION
6. Drain cooling system (Refer to 7 -
COOLING - STANDARD
PROCEDURE) refill with correct
mixture (Refer to 7 - COOLING -
STANDARD PROCEDURE).
7. Replace thermostat.
8. Remove bug screen or winter
front.
9. Check viscous fan (Refer to 7 -
COOLING/ENGINE/FAN DRIVE
VISCOUS CLUTCH - DIAGNOSIS
AND TESTING)
10. Check for leaking head gaskets
(Refer to 7 - COOLING -
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING).
11. Replace heater core.
12. Tighten clamps or Replace
hoses.
13. Check brakes. (Refer to 5 -
BRAKES/HYDRAULIC/
MECHANICAL - DIAGNOSIS AND
TESTING)
1. None. System operating normaly.
2. Check gauge. (Refer to 8 -
ELECTRICAL/INSTRUMENT
CLUSTER - DIAGNOSIS AND
TESTING)
3. None. Normal condition.
4. Fill cooling system (Refer to 7 -
COOLING - STANDARD
PROCEDURE).
5. Replace water pump.
6. Check for leak. (Refer to 7 -
COOLING - DIAGNOSIS AND
TESTING)
1. Replace radiator cap.
2. Replace radiator.
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