OK, it's NOT a Chrysler, but people here are pretty good at solving problems:
I have a 1989 Mazda 626. It sat in a friend's yard for 2 years, and when I loused up my Grand Voyager I bought it for $150.
The Anti-Freeze was Rusti-Freeze. It would get up to operating temp when idling, so I drained the radiator, put in radiator flush and ran the procedure according to the instructions. I even filled/drained it a THIRD time to make sure I got out as much gunk as I could.
Refilled it with Peak AF, probably 60/40 mixture since it was going to freeze that night and didn't want the block freezing. When I took it out for a ride, the needle hardly moved from Cold. When the car is left idling for 10-15 minutes, it gets up to operating temp, the guage reflects the temperature, the fan kicks on, etc.
After two days, I replaced the thermostat, making sure to place the 'plug' towards the engine side, the same as the old one that came out, and according to the Haynes manual I got with the car. Still wouldn't get up to operating temp under normal driving conditions.
Then I replaced the Radiator cap, knowing that sometimes with the Chryslers this can have an effect on the operating temp. Nada...still running Cold.
I didn't know how old the timing belt was, so when I replaced the belt I replaced the water pump also. The old one was leaking, so it has a new WP and gasket.
STILL Cold!
I can't figure this one out. I have 'burped' the system to try to release any trapped air; the radiator and the overflow bottle are right where they should be. It acts like the Thermostat is stuck open; before I go and open the thing up again, does anybody have an idea or can point out something I missed?
Thanks!