My 2017 Latitude 2.4 with 80k miles was getting infamous P0128 thermostat code. I am not a mechanic, but I didn't want to pay the $465 the dealership wanted to fix it. So I decided to try it myself. Here is my story and maybe it will help someone else.
First I watched these 2 videos.
I bought a Mopar OEM thermostat from Rock Auto for around $64 dollars. In my opinion, you don't want to go cheap on a part that is this difficult to replace. I started at 9 in the morning and didn't finish until after 9 at night.
I like the first video the best. I removed the pump like he did. Removing the battery looked like too much of a hassle. I liked the second one because shows how the various types of connectors work (and the humorous way he complains about the craziness of the design of this thermostat and it's difficulty in replacement).
I did drain the coolant before I started. One tool I wish I had gotten was a hose remover pick. The large radiator hose on the housing was very difficult to remove. Also, I couldn't get the difficult back / bottom bolt off with a swivel socket. I had to use a straight extension About 8 inches long (pictures attached) and a mirror to see what I was doing.
Also a trick I used to put the new one on. I knew I would never be able to get that bottom back bolt back in without dropping down in the engine. So I took a piece of electrical tape, cut a slit in it, and taped it with the slit over the hole to the housing. I then screwed the bolt thru the slit until it was flush with the back. This kept it in place during the install until I could get the socket on it.
I have attached pictures so you can the angle I used on the difficult bolt.
I hope this helps to make the job a little easier for someone else.
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First I watched these 2 videos.
I bought a Mopar OEM thermostat from Rock Auto for around $64 dollars. In my opinion, you don't want to go cheap on a part that is this difficult to replace. I started at 9 in the morning and didn't finish until after 9 at night.
I like the first video the best. I removed the pump like he did. Removing the battery looked like too much of a hassle. I liked the second one because shows how the various types of connectors work (and the humorous way he complains about the craziness of the design of this thermostat and it's difficulty in replacement).
I did drain the coolant before I started. One tool I wish I had gotten was a hose remover pick. The large radiator hose on the housing was very difficult to remove. Also, I couldn't get the difficult back / bottom bolt off with a swivel socket. I had to use a straight extension About 8 inches long (pictures attached) and a mirror to see what I was doing.
Also a trick I used to put the new one on. I knew I would never be able to get that bottom back bolt back in without dropping down in the engine. So I took a piece of electrical tape, cut a slit in it, and taped it with the slit over the hole to the housing. I then screwed the bolt thru the slit until it was flush with the back. This kept it in place during the install until I could get the socket on it.
I have attached pictures so you can the angle I used on the difficult bolt.
I hope this helps to make the job a little easier for someone else.
