alarm goes off indicating it is overheating

2002 DODGE NEON
180,000 MILES • 2.0L • AUTOMATIC
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REBECCA HALL
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I can only drive two miles before the dinging alarm goes off indicating it is overheating. Fans come on if AC or heat are turned on max, but will not keep it cool.
Apr 15, 2017 at 5:53 AM
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STEVE W.
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 15,411 POSTS
Sounds like either a bad thermostat (stuck closed), a plugged radiator (use a non-contact thermometer to check for abrupt temperature variation), a bad water pump that is not circulating the coolant or a bad head gasket. A pressure test and combustion gas test would show you if it is a head gasket.

You mention that the fans only turn on when the HVAC is on max. They should turn on once the engine gets "hot" and the coolant temperature tells the PCM to turn them on. If they are not coming on there is a problem in that system.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/radiator-pressure-test
May 21, 2021 at 8:46 AM
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