p1281 with new thermostat.

[southernwake]

The t-stat in the jeep is only a month old but it is one from autozone...

Today, my wife calls me and says the check engine light came on. I happen to be in NJ for the week for work. I had her turn the key on and off 3 times quickly and the code displayed as P1281- engine cold too long. I researched and culprit is a stuck t-stat. She said at a stop she is getting warm air out of the vents but not hot. The temp gauge is showing that the coolant temp is within normal operating range.... I figured if the t-stat was stuck it wouldnt warm up to full operating temp thus causing that code.

I do feel that it is most likely the t-stat, so I ordered one from the dealer today and she will get it tomorrow and I will change it Saturday when I home. My main concern is could anything else cause this code to come up? I want to go ahead and check any other possible causes out since I have to be out of town again next Monday.

Thanks,
Andrew

 

[HoosierJeeper]

Maybe there's an air bubble in the system? I assume you bled it though so I'm guessing the autozone t stat. Mopar ones are best usually.

 

[southernwake]

I did bleed it and since the change we drove from SC back to PA and all around town and my wife just made a trip to NY without any check engine lights. It could be a rogue air bubble, but I am guessing the cheap t-stat (even though it cost more than the OEM one).

I have noticed and my wife has also mentioned that sometimes the heat would just be warm some days and then other days it was working fine. I figured it was possibly a clogged heater core. (I did back flush the heater core back when we first got the jeep in October)

Andrew

 

[CzarKJ]

Was it installed in the correct orientation? I believe the little bleed thing has to be on top.

 

[LibertyTC]

Have heard before that new after market thermostats fail open.
Just get the Mopar 195F # 68174083AA and you should be good to go.
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[southernwake]

It was installed correctly. I even double checked that.

I called the dealership today and my wife is going to pick up the Mopar one tomorrow and when I am back home over the weekend I will swap it out. Its a pretty simple job.

 

[teeje]

Get the Mopar one. Simple.
Tyler


2002 Jeep Liberty 3.7L with brand new engine
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[southernwake]

Swapped out the thermostat yesterday with the Mopar unit. Took it for a test drive and no code now. The heat also worked better. After I changed it the first time the heat just didnt seem to get as warm as it did before and at highway speeds it was alright. So I figured clogged heater core, even though I flushed that months ago. Now the heat gets hot at idle which is nice in PA at this time of year!

I tested the thermostat by putting it in near boiling water and it does open up. I am just wondering if it wasnt opening enough or fast enough. :shrug:

Thanks for the help
Andrew

 

[tommudd]

From experience the aftermarkets sometimes seem slow to open at times. Its never a matter usually of not opening or closing but just slow at times. Mopar ones seem best over all to use. Just a like a few more items it pays in the long run to get one from the dealer

 

[twowings]

Glad you got it fixed!

Oldest rule of automobile repair: NEW DOES NOT EQUAL GOOD

No, wait it's: KEEP THE BEER COLD