2004 DODGE SPRINTER engine overheat

60 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLEHOOD
To open:
1. Pull the release lever (1).
The hood then opens slightly and is restrained by
the safety catch.
WARNING!
When the hood is open, there is a risk of injury due
to very hot engine components.
When the engine is running or the key is in
position 2 in the ignition lock, there is a risk of
injury due to moving engine components and the
electrical system.
The engine is equipped with a transistorized
ignition system. Because of the high voltage it is
dangerous to touch any components (ignition coils,
spark plug sockets, diagnostic socket) of the
ignition system with the engine running, while
starting or if the ignition is on and the engine is
turned manually.
To help prevent severe personal injuries and death,
stay clear of moving parts when the hood is open
and the engine is running.
If you see flames or smoke coming from the engine
compartment, or if the coolant\temperature gauge
indicates that the engine is overheated, do not open
the hood. Move away from vehicle and do not open
the hood until the engine has cooled. If necessary,
call the fire department.
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82 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
Windshield Heater (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114Residual Engine Heat Utilization (REST) . . . . 115

Air Conditioning, Regulated (Optional) . . . . . . 115Climate Control (on Vehicles with Air
Conditioning) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116Dehumidification
(on Vehicles with Air Conditioning) . . . . . . . . 117Air Conditioner for the Rear Passenger
Compartment (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118Air Recirculation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119Air Strainer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120

Electric Blower (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121

Heater Booster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122

Auxiliary Heater – Water or Air Heater
(Optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123Auxiliary Heater Switch
(Water Heater only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Timer Auxiliary Heater
(Water and Air Heater) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125Settings with the Auxiliary Heater
switched on (only with Water Heater) . . . . . . 129

Auxiliary Heat Exchanger in Load
Compartment, only with Auxiliary Water
Heater (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129

Auxiliary Heater – Tips for Coping with
Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130Overheating (Water Heater) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131Overheating (Air Heater) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 93
4
Coolant Temperature GaugeThe coolant temperature is displayed when the key is
in position 2 in the ignition lock.
If corrosion inhibitor/antifreeze is present in the
correct concentration in the coolant, the coolant
temperature will be between 185 °F (+85 °C) and
250 °F (+120 °C), depending on operating conditions.
If the needle reaches the red section, do not continue to
drive the vehicle.For coolant level indicator lamp /, refer to "Coolant
Level Indicator Lamp".
NOTE: Coolant temperature display
°F in USA only.
°C in Canada only.
CAUTION!
Do not leave your vehicle unattended with the
engine running as you would not be able to react to
the temperature indicator if the engine overheats.
This would lead in turn to engine damage.
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94 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
Fuel Gauge with Reserve Fuel Indicator LampThe fuel level is displayed when the key is in position
2 in the ignition lock.
WARNING!
Driving when your engine is badly overheated
can cause some fluids which may have leaked into
the engine compartment to catch fire. You could
be seriously burned. Steam from an overheated
engine can cause serious burns and can occur just
by opening the engine hood. Stay away from the
engine if you see or hear steam coming from it.
Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle and do
not stand near the vehicle until it cools down.
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98 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANELCoolant Level Indicator LampWhen the key is turned to position 2 in the ignition
lock, the coolant level indicator lamp
/ in the
instrument cluster lights up for about 2 seconds. It
must go out when the engine is running.
If the coolant level indicator lamp
/ remains on or lights
up again when the engine is running, the coolant level
is too low.
Do not drive on. Switch the engine off and add coolant.If a large quantity of coolant is being lost, or if smaller
amounts are lost at regular intervals, have the engine
cooling system examined by an authorized Sprinter
Dealer.
CAUTION!
Never run the engine if the coolant level is too
low. This could cause the engine to overheat,
leading in turn to engine damage.
WARNING!
Driving when your engine is badly overheated
can cause some fluids which may have leaked into
the engine compartment to catch fire. You could
be seriously burned. Steam from an overheated
engine can cause serious burns and can occur just
by opening the engine hood. Stay away from the
engine if you see or hear steam coming from it.
Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle and do
not stand near the vehicle until it cool downs.
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146 STARTING AND OPERATING Protect sharp edges with padding.
 Check the tire pressures after loading the vehicle.
For passenger vans:
 Do not stack loads higher than the upper edge of the
backrests.
 Always place the load against the backrests of the
seat benches.
 Whenever possible, transport loads behind seats
that are not occupied.
 Distribute the load in such a way that the
permissible axle loads are not exceeded when the
vehicle is equipped with the maximum number of
seats. Loading the luggage compartment up to the
maximum payload would cause the permissible
rear axle load to be exceeded.
BRA KES
Service Brake
WARNING!
When the engine is not running, the brake and
steering systems are without power assistance.
Under these circumstances, a much greater effort
is necessary to stop or steer the vehicle.
After driving in heavy rain for some time without
applying the brakes or through water deep
enough to wet brake components, the first
braking action may be somewhat reduced and
increased pedal pressure may be necessary. Be
sure to maintain a safe distance from vehicles in
front.
Resting your foot on the brake pedal will cause
excessive and premature wear of the brake pads.
It can also result in the brakes overheating,
thereby significantly reducing their effectiveness.
It may not be possible to stop the vehicle in
sufficient time to avoid an accident.
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158 STARTING AND OPERATINGA cceleration Skid Control (A SR)ASR makes it possible to pull away and accelerate on a
slippery surface. A spinning wheel is braked and its
tractive power is transferred to the wheel with full
grip.
The acceleration skid control (ASR) improves driving
stability at all speeds only on vehicles of the chassis
and cargo/passenger vans type 3500 C/HC/SHC
(without ESP).
The engine’s torque is limited to improve driving
stability. When this is happening, the warning
lampv in the speedometer flashes.
If the road surface is not capable of providing traction,
bearing in mind the tires, load and grade, it may not be
possible to pull away even with ASR.
If wheels with tires of a different size than those offered
by an authorized Sprinter Dealer are used, the correct
operation of the ASR cannot be guaranteed.
WARNING!
ASR cannot prevent the natural laws of physics
from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase the
traction afforded.
The ASR cannot prevent accidents, including
those resulting from excessive speed in turns,
following another vehicle too closely, or
hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful
driver can prevent accidents.
The capabilities of an ASR equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety
or the safety of others.
If the ASR function is used for a prolonged period
of time, the rear axle brakes may fail due to
overheating.
If the vehicle is to be towed away with the front
wheels clear of the ground, or if the brakes are to
be tested on a brake dynamometer, do not pull the
key in position 2 in the ignition lock, because the
drive wheels could lock.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 159
5
Deactivating the A cceleration Skid Control (A SR)See Section 4, Understanding Your Instrument Panel,
for switch locations.
When driving with snow chains, in
deep snow, or on sand or gravel, it
can be beneficial to deactivate the
acceleration skid control (ASR).
The engine
’s torque is then no longer
limited and the drive wheels are free
to spin, which can help them cut into
loose surfaces.
The ASR can only be shut off with the engine running.
If the engine is shut off with the ASR deactivated, the
ASR is automatically re-activated after the engine is
started again.Cargo/passenger vans type 2500 C/HC/SHC only:
If there is a danger of skidding, and/or starting at a
speed of 38 mph (60 km/h) ESP activates ASR
automatically.
WARNING!
On a slippery road surface if both drive wheels
start to spin there is a risk of skidding. Adapt your
speed and driving style to the prevailing road,
traffic and weather conditions.
P54.25-0294-20
WARNING!
Vehicles type 2500 C/HC/SHC only:
Even when ASR is deactivated, ESP remains
active and regulates braking to improve stability
as necessary. The warning lampv flashes in
the speedometer.
The danger of your vehicle’s brake system
overheating and being damaged is increased
during long, demanding application of the
brakes. Furthermore, an overheated brake system
could result in a longer stopping distance.
Thus, only deactivate ASR if it is absolutely
necessary.
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