I have a 2002 Dodge Dakota. About a month ago the temperature gauge maxed out on my way home from work. I had a friend look at it and he though the thermostat needed to be replaced because the heater wasn't blowing out hot air.
Once the thermostat was replaced the heater worked again and the overheating issue subsided. Now over the last week or 2 the temperature gauge goes well past the halfway point once I get to freeway speeds and that is without the A/C running at all (which sucks since it's the summer time).
Would this be a coolant leak of some kind of perhaps a radiator issue? I had one shop tell me the water pump may need to be replaced but honestly I'm seeking a second opinion because he didn't seem real confident that was in fact the problem. Please help! Thank you.
Once the thermostat was replaced the heater worked again and the overheating issue subsided. Now over the last week or 2 the temperature gauge goes well past the halfway point once I get to freeway speeds and that is without the A/C running at all (which sucks since it's the summer time).
Would this be a coolant leak of some kind of perhaps a radiator issue? I had one shop tell me the water pump may need to be replaced but honestly I'm seeking a second opinion because he didn't seem real confident that was in fact the problem. Please help! Thank you.