SOLVED! Code P0128 Pentastar 3.6L 2015 Dodge Grand Caravan Thermostat Replacement

136k miles and I just replaced the battery and alternator last week. Now what? Engine light came. Diagnostic tool shows its a P0128. Usually, it's a failing thermostat. And in this case that's exactly what it was :)
Supplies for 2015 Grand Caravan Thermostat Replacement
- Lisle 24680 Spill Free Funnel amzn.to/3RgqVa4
- 1 gallon radiator fluid shop.advanceau...
- Integrated housing thermostat w/seal shop.advanceau...
- ODB Wireless Code Reader/Diagnostoc Tool amzn.to/3mRAiC2
- ODB Fusion App iPhone apps.apple.com...
- ODB Fusion App Android play.google.co...
- Oil pan to collect coolant shop.advanceau...
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[@jpcturbo0]

Tis the season for thermostat replacements. A coworker just did his a month ago on his '16 caravan. I'm doing mine today on my `15 T&C with only 58K miles. Thanks for the video!

[@sstressfl]

Glad the video helped out :) It turned out to be a pretty simple task! Thanks for the feedback, my friend 🙏

[@lweston71]

I had to do this job as well. But your suppose to open the bleeder on the thermostat housing. 🎉

[@sstressfl]

I did that at the end to verify it didn't have any air stuck in it. Seemed to me opening it would help the fluid flow thru, especially if there is an air bubble in that location, hence the need for the valve. System is rock solid now and I'm so thankful that it was easy.

[@hkiceca]

I have also a 2015 caravan. It had the P0128 code last November. My neighbour has this van as well. He had this code last week.

[@sstressfl]

The thermostat is usually the fix!

[@hkiceca]

@@sstressfl Yes, I replaced the thermostat last November. And I recommended my neighbour to change the thermostat as well.

[@Salty_Mcnaultys]

2015 caravan 82642 miles on it. Battery went, just replaced it. 2 weeks later P0128 code!

[@sstressfl]

Sometimes it feels like everything breaks at the same time. Hope you can get it fixed soon 🙏

[@paulcondie2520]

Great job 👍 I'm glad to see I'm not the only one that gets so excited on something as simple as a funnel! Lol. I know it's not your average funnel! Lol. Great video. PS; my boss recently made a comment that he never seen someone so excited for a jackhammer bit! Me! Lol

[@sstressfl]

Its so cool! So simple!! And yet it works so well! You and I obviously get excited when something is designed well and makes our jobs easier 😄

[@paulcondie2520]

@@sstressfl 💯💪🇺🇲

[@_GntlStone_]

Which OBD Scanner would you recommend? The link didn't work Hoping this $50ish fix will save me about $300. I was just quoted $350 for the job and that's about $300 more than I can afford, lol.

[@sstressfl]

Its not too bad! I do my own work cuz I aint rich either 👍Thanks for the heads up on the links! I fixed 'em :) This is the reader I'm using. shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/flotool-less-mess-oil-drain-pan-05080mi/10188762-P combined with this app on my iphone (available on android too): apps.apple.com/us/app/obd-fusion/id650684932

[@carloss9360]

Great video, great explanation

[@sstressfl]

Thank you 🙏

[@ericschofield3244]

You probably need a new belt now after getting coolant all over it. I need to get one of those burping funnels.

[@sstressfl]

Ya know i used to think that too. And in fact as a younger man whenever I got coolant on a belt it would squeal and I had to clean it off. But with newer stuff I havent had a problem. Also, if you study it, there is nothing in antifreeze (at least current stuff) that causes rubber to fall apart. In fact it helps protect rubber seals. And yes yes yes! The burper is the best!! You'll love it.

[@ericschofield3244]

@@sstressfl I had an ugly squeal after getting coolant on mine after changing the thermostat 🤷

[@MISysSoftware]

@@ericschofield3244 I definitely have had that happen before. But not in this case 👍

[@seanlarsin]

its on amazon

[@luckylamdas2000]

what app you have to show gauges on fone?

[@sstressfl]

App is OBD Fusion 👍 and you need a plug in OBDii diagnostic tool. I use this one amzn.to/3TCfvkj

[@madpeddler8263]

looks like your power steering fluid was low

[@sstressfl]

It does! But it’s full. I’ve been dumping the reservoir and refilling it with new fluid every month. Slowly replacing all the old fluid. The new stuff is very clear.

[@YH7R]

Awesome video

[@sstressfl]

Thank you 🙏

[@ciprodriguez]

really DOPE

[@jessvill7106]

GREAT JOB. have you replaced any wheel bearing in your van?

[@sstressfl]

Thank you so much!! I replaced a rear bearing on a 2008 model that we owned before this one. I did not make a video of that. But if I remember correctly the only tough part was getting the bearing housing out of the axle... lotsa rust. I used a bolt with a nut on the end between the bearing and mounting surface and loosened the bolt until it pressed the unit out. It worked really well! :) The trick was finding a bolt the right size but I had one in my storage bins. The part itself is pretty cheap. And it's a simple job.

[@ega0117]

What do you think? Is it worth getting another Dodge 🤔. Thank you for your video 👍

[@sstressfl]

We’re looking at Toyota minivan or a Mazda cx90. Probably leaning minivan though :) It’ll be up to my wife. I bought a Ram 1500 for myself.

[@rusty9129]

OK, so what happens to the check engine light? Will it reset itself after a few restarts or will it need to be erased with a device?

[@sstressfl]

It will reset itself not long after the problem has been fixed 👍

[@YakiMondoleewood]

I had reset mine with code reader

[@sebastiangarcia41910]

What coolant did you guys use? Car manuel says to use Mopar coolant

[@sstressfl]

I like the mopar stuff especially the atf 👍 but no access to the coolant so I bought this stuff as it meets or exceeds the mopar requirements as well shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/prestone-antifreeze-and-coolant-50-50-ready-to-use-dex-cool-compatible-1-gallon-af850/7020008-P?vehicleIdSearch=1060899&isAllVehicle=false

[@theenh4real]

I bought a ‘14 town and country a month or so ago. Just curious where your gauge rides in the van? I’m used to my ‘06 staying just under the halfway mark, but on a road trip, stuck in traffic, this ‘14 goes above halfway before the fan kicks on. And rides right at halfway most of the time.

[@sstressfl]

Interestingly, since the van was new, my temp gauge moved a lot. It dropped near 2nd mark and would rise to the straight up position. Back and forth. Now that I installed the new one, the needle sits almost straight up (slightly to the left) and doesn’t move. And my gas mileage is up a lot! I see 25+ all the time now. I now suspect this engine has always been running too cold.

[@theenh4real]

@@sstressfl Oh wow! That is interesting. Mine warms up fairly quickly, was just concerned as I've seen it go over the halfway. On this one, It will let me see the coolant temp on the display. I've seen it get up to 217 when sitting (In Atlanta, where it was warm. not here in Ohio, yet). thanksfor the reply! I watched your rocker arm video, and was encouraged if I need to tackle that. I don't think I the dreaded tick yet, but I do have what feels like a slight occasional misfire really only at idle once warmed up, so trying to track that down, now.. Thanks!

[@hkiceca]

​@@sstressfl Code P0128 indicates that the engine coolant temperature is below the thermostat regulating temperature. The Pentastar engine thermostat is set to open at 95. My defective one opened at 75. Especially on a cold winter day, the van ran too cold on a highway.

[@sstressfl]

Since new the vans temp moved up and down a lot. This new one stays almost top dead center and I can’t believe how much my gas mileage has improved. I’m convinced the oem thermostat was defective since day 1. So much better now 👍

[@stavrosstetos9981]

Is safety to drive the car with this code?

[@sstressfl]

For a short time yes. But it’s causing your fuel to run rich which will eventually damage your catalytic converter. But it’s also costing you in fuel costs with worse mpg.

[@papabits5721]

Open bleeder while adding coolant until it runs out of the bleeder.

[@nixx.1021]

Just did this ina jeep wrangler out in the cold because hey no heat! 😂

[@sstressfl]

Gettin it done!! 👍💪a week ago I did the alternator and it was colder! So I built a temporary heated garage The cold makes for creative solutions 😂🙏 check it out! kzbin.infosjHF07sTeg4?feature=share

[@joeycovington4681]

Thanks!

[@jonathanrangel565]

What about the check engine light?

[@sstressfl]

At 7:50 I cleared it and it has never returned :)

[@kylecyr9498]

Will it clear on it's own if you don't have a module?

[@sstressfl]

@kylecyr9498 it should clear itself as soon as the sensor confirms proper engine temp 👍