I dont think the fan works. When I had it idling in the driveway at 206, I put the a/c on (you just turn the temp to "LO" right?) full blast. Fan wasnt moving. I dont have cold a/c either if that matters.

No, I just threw it on yesterday when I would get to 208 in gridlock.

This morning I took a different way to work cause I didnt have to take my daughter into town.

75* outside, going 65-70mph up, down, flat, whatever it was 197-199 with brief flashes of 201.

Engine temps seem to be extremely influenced by ambient temps.

 

I think the condenser fan motor is set around 210

 

Yes, but shouldnt it come on when I put the a/c on LO when the truck is hot and idling?

 

'I

"I" don't think so on a DII, (no rave handy) on a DI "I" believe the answer is yes.

 

Found this on LRO...should come on with the A/C when it is 95* outside and coolant temp is at 206.

Looks like I gotta do some testing on the condenser fan.

For A/C system:
On When vehicle speed is 50 mph (80 km/h) or less and ambient
temperature is 28 °C (82 °F) or more
Off When vehicle speed increases to (62.5 mph (100 km/h) or
ambient temperature decreases to 25 °C (77 °F)
For engine cooling during normal running:
On 100 °C (212 °F)
Off 94.5 °C (202 °F)
For engine cooling at ignition off (to counteract heat
soak):
On If, within 10 seconds of ignition off, intake air temperature is 60 °C
(140 °F) or more and engine coolant temperature is 110 °C (230
°F) or more
Off After 10 minutes or if engine coolant temperature decreases to
100 °C (212 °F)

 

Yep, that is right out of the RAVE spec pages. I'd think that if engine temps vary so much with ambient temp, the existing thermostat is suspect. Or your radiator is not doing its job.

 

2000 Mile Update

The flashing p0305 came back 2 days after putting new wires in, and has not come back since.

Odd day temp-wise.

A very nice 80* day.

First, went to the mall o' america. Bout 8 miles all highway. Never went above 197 until getting to the ramp where it went to 199-201.

After that went to Costco. 15 miles or so going 70-75. On the way there it was pretty much 201 the entire time. However after exiting into the town, the temp eventually crept up to 208 by the time we hit the costco lot.

Route home from costco is virtually the same 15 miles at the same speeds. Temp was 201-203 the entire way.

Something definitely seems a little wacky, but even my "hot" temps would not even have triggered the AC fan thus far.

I agree that these seem to be the most likely suspects. First thing will be the genuine gray stat. Im flying home for my sisters wedding in a week though, so I wont be able to get that in for another 3-4 weeks.

 

You fan should be running if AC is on. If AC is off then 212 is the threshold.

 

Yeah that's what I was saying. Even though I am hot for a 180 (assumedly) stat, its never hit 212.

 

I had not burped the system since putting the Purple Ice in.

On monday, I raised the expansion tank, then removed the cap. Some pressure was let out, the fluid rose a little, then a few bubbles came up. I added probably a little more than a cup of coolant, then put everything back.

Did the "take the daughter to school" route today which involves going into the city. For previous trips in 80* weather, the vehicle temps for this route were about 199-203, with occasional spike to 206 in the city or up a highway hill.

This morning the temp was 65*. Highway into the city, temps 190-194. In city traffic, topped out at 197. Highway out of city to work, 188-194.

These are obviously great temps. I dont know whether this is due to the burping or the cooler weather.