(Ram) P2183 ECT sensor 2 cold weather with block heater

[IDontKnowAnything]

2022 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel

This morning the truck would not remote start, push button started fine but with CEL for P2183. It was 10F parked outside with wind-chill at 8F, block heater plugged in, but I haven't yet installed the winter grill cover. Engine coolant tank is a bit low but not at all empty.

O'Reilly's little scan system recommended reprogramming the PCM lol, but lists the code as "engine coolant tempature sensor 2 circuit range/performance" and describes the issue as "... PCM detected the difference between (sensor) and the intake air tempature sensor signal was greater than the maximum allowable temperature."

"Sensor 2" implies a sensor 1 as well, the resources I found contradict but parts wise I only find 1, maybe used twice? Truck still read coolant tempature in normal range on my 1.5 hour drive to work today, truck drove great, photos attached show the sensor on the water pump plugged in BUT the plug case is split open.

My question is, what do I do? Where is sensor 2?

I don't see it being the pump or the thermostat, I figure coolant level or the sensor.

If it is to fill the tank and send it, great. If it's to replace the sensor and fill the tank, great but how do I properly bleed air after losing coolant to temp sensor hole?

P.S. I know this is a Jeep forum, I'm sorry you're all so good at helping lol

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[Chris A]

Saw this online:

1. Check for false trigger: If the issue only occurs in cold weather after the vehicle has been plugged in, the block heater may be the cause. Engineering is investigating a calibration fix for this specific situation.

 

[Sandevino]

Sensor 2 is higher up in the tank and will register a significantly lower temp compared to sensor 1 which will be fully submerged. The temp delta will throw the code.

Fill up the tank with 50/50 Mopar coolant and clear the code.

When it warms up, figure out why you’re loosing coolant.

 

[IDontKnowAnything]

Sensor 2 is higher up in the tank and will register a significantly lower temp compared to sensor 1 which will be fully submerged. The temp delta will throw the code.

Fill up the tank with 50/50 Mopar coolant and clear the code.

When it warms up, figure out why you’re loosing coolant.

I can't find a sensor in the coolant tank, the only sensor information I can find online relates to the water pump sensor. Yesterday I topped it off, after 280ish miles it still had the CEL but I guess I didn't try to clear the CEL before the next step was taken. I don't see any oil in coolant reservoir but I did not pull the dipstick to check oil.

I just replaced the "temp sensor 2" assuming it is the one in the water pump, drove it hard to get up to normal coolant/oil temps, ambient temps at 15°F without a bra on and it allowed me to clear the CEL. I did not try remote start yet, I did not plug it into the block heater tonight even though it's supposed to get down to 0°F. Will try remote start in the AM, by EOD I will have another 180ish miles on it, I'll plug it in tomorrow night and give an update Friday if the block heater is somehow causing the issue.

 

[Sandevino]

I can't find a sensor in the coolant tank, the only sensor information I can find online relates to the water pump sensor. Yesterday I topped it off, after 280ish miles it still had the CEL but I guess I didn't try to clear the CEL before the next step was taken. I don't see any oil in coolant reservoir but I did not pull the dipstick to check oil.

I just replaced the "temp sensor 2" assuming it is the one in the water pump, drove it hard to get up to normal coolant/oil temps, ambient temps at 15°F without a bra on and it allowed me to clear the CEL. I did not try remote start yet, I did not plug it into the block heater tonight even though it's supposed to get down to 0°F. Will try remote start in the AM, by EOD I will have another 180ish miles on it, I'll plug it in tomorrow night and give an update Friday if the block heater is somehow causing the issue.

The coolant sensor you’re looking for is on the upper back side of the block on the driver’s side. This is the high side temp sensor in the upper water jacket that will register lower temps if not submerged in the coolant jacket.

 

[IDontKnowAnything]

The coolant sensor you’re looking for is on the upper back side of the block on the driver’s side. This is the high side temp sensor in the upper water jacket that will register lower temps if not submerged in the coolant jacket.

Can you help me out with some links or documentation? Given I can't find much about that, except one random thread somewhere, it would probably benefit anybody else looking for this.

 

[Sandevino]

P2183 isn’t a common trouble code. There are three possible coolant temp sensors on the EcoDiesel. The two common sensors are the one you replaced and the one on the upper driver side of the block. If you have the thermal rear end there is another coolant sensor in the rear axle.

Before you go chasing temp sensors, top off the coolant, clear the codes and drive it to see if the issue returns.

 

[IDontKnowAnything]

As previously stated the CEL did not go away on its own and I had already replaced the temp sensor on the water pump before trying to clear codes. Either the temp sensor on the water pump being replaced OR the coolant being topped off allowed the code regarding a bad temp sensor to be cleared, remote start function returned, block heater on while doing a remote start did not cause the issue again.

Again- The code was for a bad "coolant temperature sensor 2" and not for low coolant, so my guess is that the temp sensor did the job, but I guess it's a good idea to keep your coolant at the proper level too.

Anyone in the future that might encounter this issue, the plug on the sensor has a lever and lock. Lift the lever and slide the red plastic bit backwards away from the sensor, have fun with that part alone, then depress the lever and pull.
There's the same connector on the cam sensor or something right up front, up high you can practice on.

My guess is temp sensor "1" is the rumored sensor on the back of the block, that I can't find documentation for. There is heating/cooling to the rear differential but I haven't looked for where the temp sensor may or may not be for that or what it may be called.

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