Come along as I have a look at a customers Chrysler Town and Country with the big 3.6 that has the classic P0128. 90% of the time this requires a thermostat but it always pay to take a minute to find out for sure. -Enjoy!
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Due to factors beyond the control of South Main Auto Repair, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information. South Main Auto Repair assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. South Main Auto Repair recommends safe practices when working with power tools, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of South Main Auto Repair, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained.
If an SMA Video has helped you out please consider giving using "Patreon" to help support us. The videos take real time to create and pull us away from real work that pays our bills. CLICK HERE: https://www.patreon.com/southmainauto
CHECK OUT OUR "SMA SWAG" STORE! Go on Teespring and get your very own SMA merch!
https://teespring.com/stores/the-sma-store
If you don't like Patreon feel free to use the "PayPal Me" link: https://www.paypal.me/SouthMainAuto
The South Main Auto Amazon Store:
https://www.amazon.com/shop/southmainautorepairavoca
AES Wave Automotive Diagnostic Tools: https://www.aeswave.com/cart.php?m=affiliate_go&affiliateID=2525b91fc8e906e8215984074c9d9e8f&go=https://www.aeswave.com/Miscellaneous-p9347.html
Thank you for all the continuing support!
--Eric & Vanessa O.
Feel like sending some swag to SMA because you love the videos but don't know where to send it?
Just ship it here:
South Main Auto Repair
47 S. Main St
PO Box 471
Avoca, NY 14809
Disclaimer:
Due to factors beyond the control of South Main Auto Repair, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information. South Main Auto Repair assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. South Main Auto Repair recommends safe practices when working with power tools, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of South Main Auto Repair, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained.
For how electronic these new engines are I am surprised that the engineers haven't figured out how to make an electric thermostat
why do people drop off vehicles with everything turned on to the max 😂🤦♂️
Own 3 dodge caravans 2011, 2012 and a 2013 all 3.6. Didn't even know where the t-stat was located. Thanks
Eric, you forgot to mention one other cause for the P0128 dtc, the ambient temperature sensor. I've had several over the years have a bad ambient temp sensor, popping that dtc. I don't usually see that dtc on the Trash & Crash, but have seen it on various other models, including the fiat's slap in the face to the original Dart. It's mentioned in the code cause description box in the service info. The tip about the heat from the hvac system is a good one, i agree with that. I use a spill free bleeder funnel to bleed the air out of the cooling system, as i have run across bleeder screws that won't open and breaks either the screw or breaks loose the brass insert that the screw goes into.
You said old belts like to squeal if they get coolant on them how about new ones? Changed my valve cover on my 3.5 ecoboost and shop manual said take off the intake but I didn't want to get coolant on my newish belt. I said to myself Eric would find a way to do this job without taking the intake off. Thanks for all the tips over the years
I miss the old stant thermostats that were made out of brass and copper
id make sure it it bleed before I put all the parts back on.. and it reaches temp
I was a mechanic but still learn from you so thank you for spending the time to video everything you do. We all learn from your experiences!
why does a t&c need an oil cooler… it does t tow or do taxi stuff…
to much crap on the newer cars
my 2000 Honda civic never goes above 185.°f.. it opens at 178°Fand stays around 180-183°f
those wipers will fail the safety inspection….
First repair I ever did was replace a thermostat. Not going to mention how many years ago that was. Great first job for an inspiring mechanic. Eric, your bringing back old memories. Thanks for Sharing!
I use a kerosene heater jug fill pump and don't fool w the petcock and have to get a new radiator my voyager 4 is impossible to reach the petcock for a human 🥴🤔
wondering why and I am sure you have been asked many times. but why do you not use the more tough nitrile gloves.
original comment. Just like he said, LOL
Hi Eric and the Lovely Mrs. O., PIG MATS right up there with sliced bread!! How many times I've heard from the fender lizards when you are trying to start a screw, bolt or nut, you're turning it the wrong way dumb ass, It's time for you to leave now!!
161K out of a chrysler product? Seems like customer got twice their moneys worth
Ahhhh Chrysler and the P0128…oddly we had a customer of our shop that owns a Renegade that kept throwing that code. We actually found a TSB about it stating…get the PCM flashed before you even THINK of diagnosing it further or throwing a thermostat at it. Took him like 4 visits to our shop before we finally convinced him to take it to a dealership…when he finally did they did it for free as the damn thing was under warranty. All they did was install the latest software to the PCM, problem solved. Remember folks, always check service data before going down the diag rabbit hole.
you guys stick around all night and i'll be back in the morning ! lol lol bwaaaaahahahahaaaaaaaha
That's an idea for a 3rd channel fella, SMER. South Main EVAP Repair!
Very good video. I'm about to embark upon a similar endeavor on my grand caravan
I love the basics. It's refreshing to see basic mechanical repairs, in addition to more complicated diagnoses.
Drove by your lovely town last week during the rain. Had to get back to Kansas.
I got one of these vans. Got a 2012 for $18K back in 2013 . Had this exact same thing done to it plus a $800 TIPM. I completely understand that Toyota and Honda have a better product, but this van is still cheaper in the long run.
What did you do to the last knuckle on your left index finger? Mrs. O slam your hand in the oven door while you were trying to steal a cookie and/or a muffin? Make a Kia mad? Lose a fight with Thor?
Might want to let then know about those ROCKERS going bad before it grenades!
I've always tested thermostats with either a heat gun or torch to see if they function properly. An added bonus to making sure you're not wasting time.
I had a lean code for a leaky down pipe on my 2001 Corolla this also triggered an insufficient coolant temp code because the car never could go in a closed loop cycle.
Very good job Mr O
Absolutely love your references to 10mm sockets. I can relate too well. For example, yesterday I was changing my headlights and grill after my most recent deer hit…guess what I had trouble locating. Yep, 10mm socket. Sigh. I feel your pain. Thinking of buying them in bulk. Thanks again for a great vid.
👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Let me know if you are in need of South Dakota license plates! Would be an honor to have them on Mrs O’s wall! Have made it through most all of your videos from the last 7yrs. Just started with Ivan’s channel this evening. Thank you for your efforts! You are an inspiration! Been in an out of the business for almost 30yrs. Electrical has been my handicap. Getting more confident with the education you have provided! Thanks again!!
Best way I found to get coolant off belts is Hot water .
Dear Eric, I recently used your pressure transducer trick for checking cylinder head gasket for leakage, I found that I had 3 cylinders leaking and a warped head, this saved me from pulling the head and leaving my bay stuck while waiting for a head, I’ve been an auto tech for 26 years and I guess you can teach an old dog new tricks, thanks for the great videos.
Hey, Eric. How are things going for you? Today's lesson was very well done. I have worked on a Chrysler 300. They are certainly like jigsaw puzzles when you have to get down into the guts. Your hints and tips about what a novice can't see directly are a great help. I am also motivated to find a guy who has years of experience the next time I am tempted to do my own fix. Yeah, "If I can do it, you can do it!" is a great motto. But the time needed and the mistakes made are not in the same ballpark. Thanks for teaching! Anyway, thanks for sharing! Stay healthy!
I’ve ran into that tho it’s a Nissan I’ve replaced the thermostat and sensor twice.
Ye Old Dribble Mopar 50/50 Coolant Classic!!!; ) Embarresing Yet Funny!!
Thanks for the video 👍
This was a good reminder of past experiences with thermostats……. Thanks Eric.
Hard for me to believe that you don't have a cooling system filler that vacuums the air out of the cooling system. Once you use one you will be sold on it.
I PRESSED THE LIKE BUTTON BEFORE THE VIDEO STARTED
Did you ay the oil cooler was leaking? Is the customer going to have that fixed?
Mr. Eric, I recently started watching your channel. I want you to know I really enjoy what you do, and respect your profession. It's not always as easy as you make it look. Keep up the good work, and keep the content rolling… 🙂
I’m driving thru Avoca next week when I fly back to the US by way of NY. Who wants me to prepay a few ice cream cones for our favorite mechanic. Anyone know if the I’ve cream place is still open?
I had that code on my mazda used a napa thermostst lasted 2 weeks and crapped out went to mazda dealer and bought it ! Mazda was cheaper then napa 🤣 anyways be careful with napa reboxed dorman parts!
What's with the add-a-ground by the hinge? Someone doing their own wiring repair?
Yeah! Since when have you had braces?
Dental Braces Mr. Erick o????
So I bet the next time Mrs. O tells you to do the dishes you won't talk back and she won't bust up your grill😂😂
Common problem. Simple fix! I like it!
Messing with the radiator petcock was pretty risky as convenient as it is. You must be the best mechanic on YouTube.
Got to know who makes the spinner for the sockets. Sure it’s obvious but still. Thanks ahead of time.
Many people do not know that 10 mm sockets and wrenches have tiny invisible legs. If left unattended for too long, they tend to wander off. They are like a toddler or an elderly person with dementia. You love them to death, but you got to keep a close eye on them.
Most manufacturers use 180* thermostat, but Chrysler uses much higher temps, not sure why.
If you ever get a chance to watch a seasoned mechanic work, set back and watch his hands. Very little wasted motion.
I had a 2002 T&C that melted it's fuel injection harness. Fortunately it had enough slack that I was able to shorten it enough to eliminate the melted section. The insulation melted and after a cold snap most of the FIs shorted together. Talk about som bad, bad misfire, wow. Had to take a heat gun to melt the insulation enough to separate the wires then one at a time shortened each one. The FI wiring harness as originally installed came loose fron it's clip on the firewall and it fell down too close to the rear bank exhaust manifold. After fixing it I put another 75K miles on it. Finally got rid of the thing when I had almost 270K miles on it. I got my money's worth out of it, about 10 cents per mile from the price of the vehicle alone.
Have you run into one of these T&C issues? I guess it could happen to any Chrysler with that 3.8L engine though.
Changed one of these last week… Plastic cracked in 2 spots, was spitting coolant everywhere. Got one from the Naper, same one🤣
That shift interlock override cover on the soft dash is a real shame.
Finaly I hear a new one, (to me) "No mercy reversey" says 70 yr old mechanic. Thanks Eric! Put the old topper on the day don't ya know.
Automakers solved some problems and increased reliability by electrifying certain components. For the love of god, at this time where we have remote control cars on Mars, why do not have remote electric water pumps?
WHY!! WHY, in this day and age, can we not have a remote electric driven water pump that is not driven by a belt, OR WORSE, DRIVEN BY A MAJOR ENGINE TIMING COMPONENT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAMN ENGINE!!!!!
My 2009 wrangler coolant sensor failed this way. Flipped a new t stat in first and then did some more digging and over the next weeks it got worse (slowly reading lower and lower) with the readout slowly dropping until it died altogether. As usual, Mr O speaks from experience!
Did you retire the Jeep hat?
Are these vans fairly reliable? I need something like this for work
I felt scared and abandoned being left in the shop all night … but was relieved you figured this one out and came back in the morning … and very glad I stuck around for the nifty screw reinstall tips listed below ; )
🤠👍
Your pig mat is a local business in my area. Nice to see how far they send their product.
…but you didn't check that temp sensor…
Eric,
Great video – thank you!
SMA#1
Paul (in MA)
Wow! Just noticed you are up to 734k subscribers. Pretty awesome! I think I have been around since something like 150k.
Enjoyed my visit to SMA as always. Thanks for the video.
Great repair video Mr.O, when are you going to do a video with the Neutral Droppers?
I don't see the leaves changing yet
MR. O another great video. Question about the Mo par coolant. I have a 2001 ram 5.2l anyways I also have an escape. Obviously the ford stuff is orange if I remember correctly. I however didn't know the mo par is red or you said G05 gold coolant of course mine has the green universal (not by me). Going back to 2001 would the red be what I should be using or the gold as you said? As this did trouble me and it's actually difficult for me to find the orange ford stuff around here. Also does it bother you to use the 50/50 as you are paying for half water, especially in your case where you may be using 100's gallons a year. and water is about .02cents/gal here where I live. I ain't cheap but it does bother me to pay for half water b/c for the average Eric we only fill this once and a while. And for 10-12 bucks a gallon for even the cheap crap, I'd rather buy the concentrated stuff. But anyway good video, what does the different chemical makeups do between ford Chevy and dodge just say do for the vehicle as I imagine all the radiators are basically the same with aluminum and steel combined. sorry so long of a comment.
On my older GM, when the temp wasn't up to ECU specs in time it would turn on the cooling fans full blast it beliw zero temps and dash temp guage would go to zero. It was a bad thermostat. What a pain to swap due to placement.
Thanks Eric for this video. It is more knowledge for me on how to care for my ’12 Chrysler 200 Touring convertible. I only wish that my 200 had the EVIC that is on that Town and Country that you worked on. That style Electronic Vehicle Information Center provides more information at the touch of a button than the EVIC on the Chrysler 200 does. I’m going to do a cooling system flush and Mopar coolant change soon on my 200.
I like how you and Rainman just take little things out of each other : you say the mileage at the beginning, he says "the classic reach around", also the doodleydooos
Love it !
I love my Chrysler town and countries 2001 to 2007 but you couldn't give me the newer ones with those crap pentastar engines in them, I want no cars with variable valve timing or with oil coolers, my cars run with virtually no Repairs I just wish something could be done about the rust.
Nicely done Mr.O My daughter likes sitting with her car running or leaving her car run . Then she complains it’s not getting warm enough. I explained to her when the car is sitting parked and running it heats up beyond the thermostat opening temp until it reaches the fan switch temp. (Usually, I’m guessing around 220 degrees)
If you heat it to the fan switch temp. It will open quite a bit more which causes premature wear and early failure. I usually tell the people ten minute warm up and off ya go. Anything more is probably not good for your thermostat. Nice Job as usual Eric.
Always train spotting Subarus in your waiting room, but very few videos on them, more Subaru content please.
I thought British Petroleum bought out Gulf in the early '90's. So, what is with the Gulf hat? Is it an original? I know back in the day your dad ran that garage you work out of as a Gulf station, Eric. My car has the thermostat made to where an "o" ring is used, like that one. Just unbolt it, put in a new one and a new "o" ring and you are back in business. No need to scrape gaskets and the like. Great video!
Its nice to put together engine and body parts with lag bolts
One would think that automotive engineers would have devised a better way to drain the coolant by now.
Mrs. O cooking
Pumpkin Roll Bro ?
What's up with the BIG NAPA sign on the front of the shop? NOT A SPONSOR.
Another fine repair. Keep up the good work.
MAGA MECHANIC 💥
I enjoy watching the best mechanic on Youtube.
With winter right around the corner, that's a timely repair!
I would never put anything other than a genuine thermostat in a car.
Thanks!
Looks so easy kind ….of therapeutic great video again✔✔✔
Gulf hat is simply out of place.
Our 2016 T&C Just Started The Same Thing
It’s great how it’s failed open, back when I was on the tools thermostats would fail closed and overheat the engine. I don’t know how they’ve done it but it’s saved a few engines.
Ah, so you too have the Stand-Alone option.. Just got the mother(lover)board replaced by Autel on the MS906TS. i guess the newer OS was flashed on the scanner. Because the Stand-Alone was definitely not on there before!
Thanks Eric
After seeing the cars in your shop all rotted from salt, I'd say buying 10 year fluids is a bit optimistic…