Got my dad’s 3.6 town and country. I live in MN. Coolant level is fine. Has 203f thermostat. I noticed temp gauge seemed low and DIC says coolant was 175f after 20 min of driving. Vent temp felt fine. I idled in driveway for 10 min and temp went to 194f. Drove around and it went back to 175. Dodge website says that’s normal. Only an issue if it throws code. A number of TNC website folks agree. 175 is normal. Is it?
One guy said new thermostat resulted in same 175f results.
And, in summer it should range from 200-210f even on highway. Which I agree it does.
On many/most vehicles, the thermostat is rated at 192 degrees Fahrenheit . . . 
Maybe you should just replace it with a new thermostat of the correct temperature rating, as a first step
In any case, what you’re describing sounds like a bad thermostat, imo
What year is this Dodge van?
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From a quick look up, it seems that all the Dodge Caravans 3.6L engines (2011-2020?) all run a 203°F t-stat..
I would confirm the DIC reading with the Live Data temp reading and the actual temp using an infrared temperature gun at the t-stat, the temp sensor could be giving the ECM a false reading, or even the pigtail wiring could be failing…
Sounds very normal based on this and the fact it is winter there:
The thermostat is just a means to regulate the temperature. If the engine isn’t putting out enough heat to achieve the regulation temp, then it is what it is.- This can happen in colder areas when the engine and associated systems are very efficient. Either they do not put out enough heat to compensate for the low ambient temps or the dissipation of waste heat is very efficient. It could very well be normal for that vehicle under those conditions…
Are all of the plastic parts in place? The underbelly pan etc?
Last week it was 1-2f. Dash said 175f.
Yesterday is was 28f, dash said 199f.
All is well. It behaves oddly <10f it seems
I don’t see odd behavior, at 1F the engine doesn’t put out enough heat to get the coolant up to 199F. Heat is lost by the air passing over the engine, not just through the radiator.
It is not too be expected.
Zero air temp is not extreme.
My equinox is 200f while dodge is 175f.
Your dodge van is 25 degrees below thermostat rating.
But don’t be concerned.
Got it.
It’s not a problem. Just a fact of life.
For better results, stop using the heater.
Just a fact of life. I have mentioned this before, our Chicken Delight delivery vehicles were 1966 Comet wagons with the six cylinder. In Mpls they never got warm during the winter. I put a pizza box in front of the radiator, minimal help. One, while in the store getting the next order ready, I put the car against the telephone pole, left it running, in gear, still could not get it hot in that zero degree weather.
My olds diesel would always run cold in the winter and I always put cardboard in front of the radiator. I think you really should try to get it up to where the thermostat opens.
You said the vent heat felt fine, what is the temp coming out of the vents?? Have you verified the DIS temp against Live Data and live data against an infrared temperature gun at the t-stat???
Felt fine temp in sub zero degree weather could be 100°, heck, I think it was Tester that said they turn on the AC in sub zero temps cause 40° air feels better than -20°… lol