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Chrysler Repair/overheating 2000 chrysler sebring jxi

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Expert: - 10/26/2011


Question
QUESTION: Ok well we have replaced the pressure cap, thermostat, and temp sensor but the car still over heats. The gauge goes up and down as we drive. My question is are there two sensors that needed to be change and what else could be the problem. The water pump do not leak and all the hoses seem fine. Please help me

ANSWER: Hi Sapphire,
There is only one sensor that controls the engine operation/fans and the operates the temperature gauge. What do you mean by the up and down (how high/how low)? Any signs of boiling over? Might the radiator be plugging up and need to be flushed out is my first thought. Does the temperature on both sides of the radiator seem warm or is one side alot colder than the other?
Roland

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Ok well the gauge would go from the middle to hot then back down to the middle. After I drove today I looked under the hood while car was running hot and notice antifreeze dripping from under the pressure cap... faulty pressure cap? But this is the first time seeing anything close to boiling over and There is never steam or smoke. We had the radiator flushed before all the other problems begin is it possible to flush again so soon (3 months since)

Answer
Hi Sapphire,
You might want to carefully touch the metal surfaces on the left and right sides of the radiator just to be sure that the driver side is not cool compared to the passenger which would raise the possibility that the radiator flow through is impeded.
Are the fans working?
Touch the wheel metal surface to see if any of the four wheel brakes might be dragging (after driving with no major breaking actions needed).
Does the gauge actually hit the H top line?
Cycling up and down is normal, that is the action of the thermostat at work.
Look through the grill to see whether a light placed behind the radiator is visible, as a check against dirt plugging the radiator fins.
Those are the ideas I have at this point.
Roland
PS Please 'rate' my answer and consider a nomination. Thank you.

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Roland Finston

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I specialize in Chrysler/Dodge/Plymouth cars, minivans, and SUV's for the model years 1982-2008 based upon my 50-year DIY experience, factory shop manuals and wiring diagrams. I offer fast repair advice to help you minimize repair costs by helping you diagnose and do it yourself. Problems with electronically controlled engines and transmissions as well as body wiring problems are my specialty.

I take questions one at a time between 8am and 10pm CT and attempt to answer within 20 minutes. "Maxed Out" means I am answering another question of otherwise busy, so try again later.

There are answers on file to more than sixteen thousand Chrysler questions at your finger tips: put a few key words in the "find" box (above) or click on "view past answers" for a chronological list of my q and a's. Don't use "Add to this answer" if you still have a question...ask it. As to trucks and jeeps I only have manuals for the '04-'06 model years.

Experience

Five decades as a 'do-it-yourselfer' on domestic and imported cars

Organizations
Yahoo Autos Group called The Chrysler Lebaron Club (co-moderator)

Education/Credentials
Degrees in Physics/bruised knuckles.

Awards and Honors
"Top expert of 2010" and "2011" at Allexperts. Among top 50 experts for years 2006-2009 at Allexperts.

Quickest "average response time" at Allexperts (currently no. 1).

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