Oil temperature light warning message

Tiny
VALERIE S
  • MEMBER
  • 2015 DODGE JOURNEY
  • 2.4L
  • 4 CYL
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 100,100 MILES
After car ran hot and towed to dealership, thermostat was replaced. On first drive, with 3,000 miles left to next oil change, the schedule oil change appeared on the dash. On the second drive, which was a trip over 40 miles with air conditioning on, the oil temperature notice appeared showing at 215 and outside temperature was around 95. I pulled over and stopped for one hour. I checked the oil. It was not low, but the car seemed very, very hot. The oil seemed very hot also. The oil temperature went down to 167 after the one hour stop. I started to drive again the remaining 5 miles. The oil temperature went up to 204. I was at the destination for 2 hours. When I started the SUV the oil temperature was 129. On the return trip, I did not use the air conditioning, and it was much cooler outside at 9:00 pm. The oil temperature 204. 1 mile before my home, I turned the air conditioning on and the oil temperature went to 203. I drove the car 2 additional times trying to see reactions on 2 different days. One day the oil was 129 quickly. One day it was below 100. Each time, the oil temperature goes up to around 203, no air conditioning on. My SUV is running very quiet. I called the dealer tech, who is not a mechanic. He said 215 is normal because he asked the mechanic and my car is okay. He said I probably hit the button accidentally and made the oil temperature show. I told him that the fan never came on. I have not heard the fan since the night before the vehicle ran hot, two weeks ago. I talked to my mechanic cousin and they think the fan could have been reconnected wrong I have to leave my car at dealership again for this check and I just wonder what is the problem, and should the fan kick on at 200 oil temperature on this 4 cylinder car? All of my old vehicles were 8 and 6 cylinder. I am uneasy about traveling anywhere now. I appreciate your opinion so much.
Wednesday, June 2nd, 2021 AT 4:44 PM

4 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,747 POSTS
Hi,

The normal operating temperature should be around 190 to 220. Considering the outside temperature and the idea that you used the A/C, 215°F really doesn't surprise me.

However, the cooling fan should automatically turn on when the A/C is turned on. Is that happening?

Here is another issue, the oil temp light really shouldn't indicate overheating at 215. The sensor itself may be bad.

Let me know if the higher temps happened at highway speeds or if the vehicle was in stop-and-go traffic. Also, can you tell me if the vehicle has an engine oil cooler? If it does, it will be between the oil filter and filter adapter.

Take care and let me know.

Joe
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Wednesday, June 2nd, 2021 AT 7:27 PM
Tiny
VALERIE S
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
The first time I was on an interstate highway going approximately 60 MPH. When I continued the 5 miles it was stop and go work traffic on the Interstate highway. On the next two trips it was traveling through many stoplights of 2 lane traffic without the air on. I read previously that the Journey has an engine oil cooler. A guy does a video on removing it from the old style Journey. This one is a crossover. I hear the air coming on, but not sure about the cooling fan coming on. I just have not heard the fan that sometimes comes on after you stop sometimes. Good question. I was driving looking straight at the road when the oil pressure monitor appeared. It did not go over 215, and not up to the top H, but it alarmed me. Thanks for your response.
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Wednesday, June 2nd, 2021 AT 8:16 PM
Tiny
VALERIE S
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Oil temperature I made a typo when I typed oil pressure.
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Wednesday, June 2nd, 2021 AT 8:36 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,747 POSTS
Hi,

When I was reading through the manual, it indicates that some had and some didn't have an oil cooler. If you look at the pic below, I highlighted two pipes where coolant flows and circled where the oil filter would mount. Take a look and see if that is what is on yours.

The threaded component is what connects the cooler to the engine on one end, and the opposite side of that connector is what the filter attaches to.

Let me know. Also, when you have a chance, turn on the A/C to see if a fan comes on. Also, I attached the wiring schematic for the cooling fan circuit below so you have it as a reference. I had to cut the pic in half to make it readable, but I did overlap them so you can follow from one to the next.

Note: there is a 40 amp fuse that powers the fan motors. It is located under the hood in the power distribution box. Check to make sure it's good. Additionally, make sure there is power to and from the fuse. Here is a link you may find helpful:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-fuse

Pic 3 indicates the location of fuse 148 for the fan motors. It's in the underhood power distribution box.

Let me know what you find or if you have other questions.

Take care,

Joe

See pics below.

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Wednesday, June 2nd, 2021 AT 9:11 PM

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