2000 Dodge Durango temp gauge issues

MCHAMP1

MEMBER
2000 DODGE DURANGO
5.9L
V8
4WD
AUTOMATIC
150,120 MILES

Cold lowest reading for temp gauge is 130 after starting and driving needle stays on 130. After motor is warmed up if shut motor off then turn key to power temp gauge reads correctly and will keep reading correctly. If start motor needle will start out reading correctly but will start to gradually drop until it is sitting at 130 since that lowest it can go. I have checked power from pcm and it is reading steady 5.181. Replaced the ect and even tested to make sure it was working correctly. I jumped the wires that go to the ect and gauge jumps to around 190 but will gradually drop to 130 with it running. I am trying to find a diagram from the temp gauge back but no luck so far why hoping you can help me figure out the problem or narrow it down.

6 Replies

MCHAMP1

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4 POSTS

O and I also had instrument cluster run it's self check and calibration and temp gauge tested fine.

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Sunday, August 16th, 2015 AT 8:48 PM

RIVERMIKERAT

MECHANIC
6,110 POSTS

There are a total of 6 Engine Performance schematics. However, our reference shows your vehicle as having a 5.7L, not a 5.9L, so that's the one I'm sending. I would have it scanned for soft codes (since you don't mention the CEL being set) and see if there are any codes. It sounds like the ECT is faulty to me.

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Monday, August 17th, 2015 AT 6:08 AM

MCHAMP1

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4 POSTS

2000 Durango didn't even come with the 5.7. The 4.7, 5.2 and the 5.9 and I have the 5.9. I also said I had replaced the ECT as well as tested it. I also said I looped the wires going to the ECT which should of raised the needle and kept it raised since it was getting a steady 5.181 volts to it but it didn't.

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Monday, August 17th, 2015 AT 2:54 PM

RIVERMIKERAT

MECHANIC
6,110 POSTS

According to our reference material, it did. "Figure out the problem or narrow it down." Is what I'm trying to help you do. It would be nice to know what the computer is thinking and saying about the ect circuit. If, as you say, everything else checks out, having that info would be the next logical step in diagnosing the problem.

I've attached the whole Engine Performance set of schematics.

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Monday, August 17th, 2015 AT 3:22 PM

MCHAMP1

MEMBER
4 POSTS

The code it gave was for bad temp reading but problem is the pcm because after getting the wire diagram from alldata from the pcm to temp sensor so I could test the signal from the pcm etc I was able to find out the problem is the pcm.