Crossfire Temperature Mystery: Hot and Cold Warning Signs

I experienced a very similar issue with my 2003 Chrysler Sebring last winter and have some experience working with cooling systems. The symptoms you describe match exactly what I encountered, long warm-up times and sporadic overheating warnings. After checking basic things like coolant levels, my mechanic diagnosed a faulty map thermostat. The thermostat housing was allowing inconsistent coolant flow, causing these contradictory temperature readings. The repair involved replacing the thermostat, temperature sensor, and flushing the cooling system. Total cost was 350€ including parts and labor. Since the fix, the temperature has been perfectly stable and warm-up times are normal again. The cooling fan was also tested but worked fine. Often these symptoms can be misdiagnosed, so having a proper inspection of the entire cooling system including the water pump is important. To help provide more specific guidance for your case, could you share: Current mileage, Whether you notice any coolant loss, If the temperature gauge reading fluctuates or stays high, Any unusual sounds from the engine bay, When the problem first started This information would help determine if your issue matches what I experienced or if there might be other factors to consider.

With 50630 KM on the clock, I can confirm this is exactly what happened with my Crossfire. The thermostat housing was indeed the culprit, causing inconsistent temperature control readings. The water pump was actually fine in my case, though the shop checked it thoroughly during diagnostics. The main issue centered on the failing thermostat and a partially blocked coolant system. Total repair came to 400€, which included: New thermostat and housing, Complete coolant system flush, New temperature sensor, Coolant refill Engine overheating issues stopped completely after the repair. The warm-up time returned to normal, about 5 minutes in typical conditions. My last service was just 2 months ago and everything is still working perfectly. One tip: make sure they pressure test the entire cooling system during diagnosis. This helped identify a small leak that would have caused problems later.

Thanks for sharing those repair details. Interesting that your Crossfire had almost identical symptoms to my Sebring. These thermostat housing issues seem pretty common in these models around the 50-60k mark. The 400€ repair cost aligns closely with what I paid, though you were smart to get that pressure test done. In my case, I actually had to go back a month later for a small leak at the coolant system connection that could have been caught earlier. Since your repair included a new temperature sensor along with the thermostat housing replacement, you should be well protected against future engine overheating problems. The complete coolant system flush was also crucial, these models can develop sediment that restricts flow over time. A quick question, did you notice any improvement in fuel consumption after the repair? With my Sebring, once the thermostat was working correctly and maintaining proper operating temperature, I saw a slight improvement in efficiency. Keep monitoring your temperature gauge for the next few weeks just to be safe, but it sounds like the shop did a thorough job addressing the root cause.

My fuel economy definitely improved after the repair, about 8% better based on my tracking. Must be due to the engine now maintaining proper operating temperature. To follow up on your coolant connection point, I actually get the system pressure tested every 6 months now. The temperature control is working perfectly and the engine overheating warning has never returned. The thermostat housing repair really did fix all the temperature sensor issues. The 400€ spent was worth every cent given the improved performance and peace of mind. After 10000 KM since the repair, the coolant level has stayed consistent and warm-up behavior remains totally normal. Good tip about watching for leaks at the connections. I check under the car regularly and so far everything has remained dry. The thorough coolant system flush seems to have prevented any new blockage issues from developing.