I bought a 1998 Dodge Ram Van B1500 about a month ago and it has run without issue until yesterday when the "check engine" and "check gages" lights came on. The temperature gauge was all the way up to 260 so I added coolant but it doesn't seem to have helped at all... Just had the radiator drained two weeks ago, too. Also, after adding the coolant the car began making a knocking sound which sounded like it was coming from the front left side of the car. Help?
One thing at a time.
Once the engine cooled down, how long did you run it before the engine heated up ? The thermostat could have stuck closed.
Or the water pump impeller may have failed.
Have you checked the computer for trouble codes yet ?
SOURCE: low coolant temp light
STOP DRIVING!!!!.... if you have no coolant in the system you can ruin your engine.... if there is coolant inside the cabin then it is your heater core that is leaking.... it is difficult ot change on some vehicles becuase it is in the dash but still possible for the backyard mechanic.... you should be able to find one for about $100 but there is alot of labour involved...
SOURCE: 2001 dodge stratus engine temperature gauge spikes occasionally
Look for a loose connection to the temperature sender unit on the motor.
If all connections OK, you may need a new temp sender unit.
SOURCE: Engine Temperature Guage on Dashboard indicates overheating
Hi and welcome to FixYa,
Offhand, your described condition indicates a sticking thermostat, that is there is considerable delay before the thermostat opens. It is also possible that there is some restriction wherein the thermostat is not opening completely when the triggering temperature has been reached. As a test and to confirm, you could try temporarily removing the thermostat and operate the engine without one; observe temperature. The side effect of this test is that it would take some time to warm-up the engine, but operationally should not cause anything untoward. Of course, care has to be exercised that the gasket would still be intact.
Good luck and thank you for using FixYa.
SOURCE: had radiator flushed and coolant
You probably have a slight leak from the coolant filler cap and you have lost coolant by evaporation over the four months. Check the seal on the cap and replace it or the cap.
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