Questions and Answers

Dodge Neon Has Overheating Problems Q. Hey Vincent, I have a 1995 Dodge Neon with a 1998 SOHC engine, automatic transmission, P/S and A/C. My problem is that the car overheats while the car is parked for 15 to 20 minutes or during heavy traffic. The water pump is new, the engine is fairly new, so it can't be the gasket, and the thermostat and coolant temperature sensor was replaced two weeks ago.

Before replacing the thermostat and coolant temperature sensor, there weren't any overheating problems. I really don't know what the problem is because the fan turns on. The car doesn't overheat while driving. Please help.

Thanks,
Vinnie

A. Since the Coolant Temperature Sensor (CTS) in the 1995 engine and the 1998 engine are the same, I think it may be safe to assume the problem is not with the CTS.

So then the problem must be with the thermostat. Either the new thermostat is bad, it was put in backwards or the thermostat was not installed properly.

I would pull the thermostat out, replace it again and be sure it is installed properly.