Excessive heat under the hood

DBLAN

MEMBER
1999 DODGE DAKOTA
3.9L
V6
2WD
AUTOMATIC
180,000 MILES

My 9vehicle doesn't seem to be running hot, temperature gauge normal, no boiling, etc. But under the hood seems excessively hot, so much so that it causes the truck to shut down. Once it cools off it will crank and go until it gets excessively hot again, normally after about 15 or 20 miles or so is when it shuts down.

Saturday, May 21st, 2022 AT 10:34 AM

6 Replies

STEVE W.

MECHANIC
15,237 POSTS

That description sounds like a failing crankshaft sensor. On that engine it is located above the passenger side exhaust manifold. It is held on by two bolts. You remove the bolts and remove the sensor. To get to it remove that tire and then the fender liner plastic, which allows access to the sensor at the rear of the engine. The new sensor just bolts in, and you tighten the bolts to around 8-9 ft lb.
A quick test to verify that it is the problem would be to cool the sensor off once the engine shuts down, the cans of air you can get in office and electronic stores will work for that. Simply shake the can and turn it upside down. Don't spray yourself as it can freeze your skin instantly. Run it until it shuts down, spray the sensor, if it starts back up when you get back into the seat you have your answer.

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Saturday, May 21st, 2022 AT 2:10 PM

DBLAN

MEMBER
4 POSTS

Thanks for your response, already replaced that, temperature sensor, TPS and IAC sensors. I've checked all the grounds that I can find, etc. It seems to me like the ambient temperature under the hood, the excessively hot although the temperature gauge is in normal range and there is no apparent boiling over or nothing. So, I thought perhaps the thermostat is bad, changed it with another new 195' and no difference. So, I checked the water pump, it seems okay, no water in the oil, nothing like that. This truck runs like new except for this problem. So, as I started to write this, I checked my clutch fan and wouldn't you know it, the bearing is bad. So, I'm going to change that tomorrow and hopefully this will solve the problem. I will be glad to let you know.

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Saturday, May 21st, 2022 AT 6:22 PM

STEVE W.

MECHANIC
15,237 POSTS

While that could cause it to get hot, it has to be a temperature sensitive part causing it to shut down. I would still run it and spray components to see what you find. Another thing would be to see if you are losing spark or fuel when it shuts off.

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Sunday, May 22nd, 2022 AT 1:05 AM

DBLAN

MEMBER
4 POSTS

Thanks Steve, I thought exactly the same thing about it shuts down from heat and I don't know what temperature sensitive part could cause it. And yes, the fuel pump quits working as well as losing spark from the coil. I can wait around 10 to 20 minutes and it cranks up. If I don't let it cool long enough, I can only go around five miles or so and it shuts down. The longer I wait the further it goes. Strangest problem I've ever seen. I will be replacing the clutch fan Monday because I found that it was bad. Not optimistic that it will solve my problem, but we will see. I will keep you informed. Thanks.

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Sunday, May 22nd, 2022 AT 4:24 AM

STEVE W.

MECHANIC
15,237 POSTS

Get a couple cans of air and start spraying, I've seen ECUs, cam and crank sensors and even P2 sensors act this way. Losing both fuel and spark sounds like cam crank or ECU as those parts control both.

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Sunday, May 22nd, 2022 AT 4:56 PM

DBLAN