Temperature gauge not working

Tiny
MVALENTINO
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 DODGE DAKOTA
I have a 2000 Dodge Dakota SLT, recently installed a rebuilt engine. I now have a check engine light and it says temp switch defective. I replaced the temp switch and I still have the check engine light. The temp guage is not working and the electric fan stays on. When you shut the key off and turn the key back on the temp guage reads approx 150 degrees, but after it runs for a minute it drops to 0. Someone told me to replace the PCM, which I did with a used PCM, still having same problem. I had the wire check from the temp switch (tan w/black stripe) and it has no voltage. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Saturday, December 8th, 2012 AT 3:37 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
First of all, put back the old pcm. Used will never work as it will have a vin mismatch and cause many issues.

What is the code number? Codes never identify bad parts, just failed systems.

Roy
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Saturday, December 8th, 2012 AT 3:40 PM
Tiny
MVALENTINO
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I went to Auto Zone and they gave me the code PO118 that indicates to replace the sensor which I did and it still doesn't work.
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Saturday, December 8th, 2012 AT 4:00 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
Codes never identify bad parts, just failed systems.

SYMPTOM
P0118 - ECT SENSOR VOLTAGE TOO HIGH

WHEN MONITORED
With the ignition ON and battery voltage greater than 10.4 volts.

SET CONDITION
The Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor circuit voltage at the PCM goes above 4.98 volts for more than 3 seconds.

POSSIBLE CAUSES

Sensor ground circuit open
ECT sensor signal circuit open
ECT sensor signal circuit shorted to voltage
ECT wiring harness intermittent problem
ECT sensor
Powertrain Control Module
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Saturday, December 8th, 2012 AT 4:07 PM
Tiny
MVALENTINO
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
There is no voltage to wire (tan w/black stripe wire) from temp sensor.
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Saturday, December 8th, 2012 AT 4:15 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
Ok, thats a start. Look at harness for being trapped somewhere.

Roy
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Saturday, December 8th, 2012 AT 4:18 PM
Tiny
SHEPPARD19
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 DODGE DAKOTA
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 100,000 MILES
The temperature gauge in my 1998 Dodge Dakota isn't working. All the other gauges on my dash are, so I don't think it's a fuse. Any ideas or thoughts?
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Wednesday, July 1st, 2020 AT 11:56 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CH112063
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,320 POSTS
There is a small plug on the intake manifold that is a single wire. See if grounding it pins the gauge hot. Replace that little sensor. Or plug it back on. I never seen one fall off. It is a resistor to ground(varys by temperature). If you don't have one it may be built into the coolant sensor. All this is near the thermostat housing area. OK
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Wednesday, July 1st, 2020 AT 11:56 AM (Merged)

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