[Knightmare]

Aside from the usual crappy winter driving stuff, i have a worse story.

Starting yesterday afternoon, my trep started moving off its usual 1/4 spot on the temp. gauge. It has gone up and down at random, as low as the line above C and as high as the 3/4 mark. It really seems to have no control over itself anymore.
Thermostat, I hope? Please tell me that's all it is... What else COULD it be???

There's more: My heater also has no control over temp., spewing out random levels of heat, including extreme cold. This really sucks, as it has been around 0 degrees the last couple mornings here.
What the hell could be causing this? Could it be related to the thermostat??? Here's why I don't think it is:

Over the last couple weeks, I've been noticing some other strange things: the delay on my windshield wipers doesn't seem to work, and often when I turn the wipers off, they'll keep going for a few more times. Once, they kept going for like another minute.
Now, tell about the BCM, body control module. What all does this little guy regulate? Does it include the heater and the windshield wipers???

Thanks for the help.

 

[flowersc]

I would go with changing the thermostat first. Seems it is going flaky on you.

 

[Bryan_M]

the delay on my windshield wipers doesn't seem to work, and often when I turn the wipers off, they'll keep going for a few more times. Once, they kept going for like another minute.

don't know if you have the same problem i did, but i had to replace the part whith the windshield wiper stalk on it, cost be about $30 for a junkyard, dodge wanted well over 100 +install if i remember right

 

[Knightmare]

Alright, I figure I'll throw in a new Thermostat after I get off of work. Anyone who's done this before want to give me a quick how-to? Where is it, how do I yank it out and put in the new one?

 

[Lafrad]

well.. if your engine temperature goes up and down, then your interal heat temperature will go up and down too. (heat comes from the water). that is that problem solved.
There is no control over engine temp other than the thermostat, which takes about 5 minutes to change, and costs $15 if you goto napa for the gasget and thermostat.

wiper delay.. is this ONLY when the car is fridgid? cuz mine does that to. I believe it is controlled by a Variable resistor in the shifter handle.. and when it gets REALLY cold.. the resistor doesn't resist electricity very much, and the Wiper control could be faked into thinking it is still slightly on, until the resistor warms up to be warm enough to resist more voltage.

 

[Snorton Norton]

Hey Keith, have you checked the radiator fluid level yet? If it gets low you'll find that you just won't get heat worth a damn 'till the engine revs high enough to get the fluid moving throught the system. Yet once the revs go down, back comes the cold air...

 

[Knightmare]

Y'know Tom, the heat did seem to come better when the engine was revved higher. The level was fine a while ago... but how long was that... Thanks, I'll check. Its time for a flush anyway...

I haven't really thought about WHEN the delay isn't working right, I'll look into that as well, could well be. Thanks.

Thanks again to everyone on the advice and help. I got myself a 'stat for like 13 bucks, I'll throw it in tomorrow.

 

[peelmobile97]

the thermostat is located inside a piece that the radiator hose is connected to on the block itself. just take out the 2 bolts and pull off the connector piece and the 'stat just lays in there.should take 10 mins tops