Dodge Magnum Heater Fix: Water Valve Issues + Cost Tips

Had a similar problem with my 2009 Dodge Journey diesel at 70000km. The water valve blockage was causing restricted coolant flow, which explained the weak heating performance. The automotive valve assembly needed complete replacement since coolant leak had damaged the electrical connections. The mechanic found corroded terminals where the valve connects to the engine control unit. This is a common issue when coolant seeps into the wiring harness. For the Magnum, the symptoms point to the same failure pattern. The car valve system controls coolant distribution, so when it malfunctions, you get poor heat output and potential engine temperature regulation issues. This requires removing parts of the intake manifold to access the valve assembly. On these models, the entire coolant system needs flushing to prevent future blockages. Not a quick fix, but critical to prevent engine damage. Would recommend getting it checked soon, coolant flow issues can escalate to more serious problems if left unaddressed. The error code confirms the valve control circuit issue, just like what happened on my Journey.

Thanks for sharing your Journey experience. Really similar to what my Magnum is going through with the car heating problems. The mechanic quoted me for the heater core flush and valve replacement, but Im still unsure if its reasonable. My local shop found a small coolant leak near the valve housing too. Did you end up having any other issues after the repair was done? Also curious what the total repair cost was in your case. Want to make sure Im not paying too much for essentially the same fix. Notice my engine overheating occasionally now too, which has me worried about waiting too long to get this sorted.

Good news, got the valve issue completely resolved on my Journey. The mechanic traced it to a faulty cable connection at the automotive valve assembly, which was preventing proper coolant flow control. Total cost came to 95€ for the wiring repair and system check. Since fixing the cooling system connection, everything works perfectly. The heater core is delivering proper heat, and the engine coolant temperature stays steady. No more overheating concerns or error codes. Your symptoms definitely match what I experienced. The coolant leak you mentioned near the valve housing is exactly where my problem started. Getting it fixed sooner rather than later prevented any damage to other components of the cooling system. For the Magnum, the repair process should be very similar since they share comparable valve designs. The quoted work for the heater core flush and valve check seems appropriate given the symptoms. Just make sure they verify all electrical connections after the repair.

Thanks for the input. Finally got the Magnum fixed last week and wanted to share the outcome. The mechanic found exactly what was suspected, a failing water valve and some corroded wiring causing the engine coolant issues. Total bill came to 280€ which included: New car valve assembly, Complete cooling system flush, Heater core cleaning, Fresh coolant fill The shop showed me the old valve which was pretty badly corroded. They also found some minor coolant leak damage to the nearby wiring which they repaired. Car heating works perfectly now and the temperature gauge stays normal. Really glad I didnt wait longer as the mechanic said the coolant leak could have caused more expensive damage to the heater core if left unchecked. No more error codes and the engine runs much smoother. Definitely worth getting it sorted properly.