Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
Been getting little electrical issues over the last few months, but yesterday on a 300 mile trip truck started having overheating issues.
Previous issues have been the grid heater coming on when 60 degrees out and warmer, even after trucks been running during the day, never had the grid heater come on before except in the morning, in California by Sacramento, winters are not that cold. Aftermarket cool down has been shutting off early or staying on after temp drops to 300. Windshield wipers will occasionally run when not in use or stop when being used on intermittent mode, usually only happens once and is fine. Occasional alert ding in cab for no reason, sounds like low fuel ding or check gauges ding but no lights on or codes thrown.
Replaced water pump about 1,500 miles ago, did not replace thermostat at the time since no issues with it at the time. Coolant expansion tank was low yesterday so I added coolant to it, never saw evidence of leak, I check for puddles or drips under truck every morning, assumed that it was an air bubble that finally worked itself out. Checked oil, no evidence of coolant in oil, will do an oil sample this weekend and send off for testing.
First sign of an issue was when I stopped for a bathroom break, temp outside was around 90 degrees, truck idle was around 1,000 rpm, like the truck though it needed to idle higher to warm up when I was letting it cool to 300 degrees, let wife and kids run in for the restroom and I thought I'd run up and down the road to see if I could get the idle to kick down, no luck. Again the grid heater turned on when key was in on position but not started. Started up and again idle was at 1,000 rpm. Got on highway and watched temp sit around 205, then it rose to 225 or closer to 245 red than I like, still not over bracket on gauge into red, only doing around 55 mph. Stopped at next town and filled expansion tank to full level instead of half way between cold and max. Fluid stayed there for trip, but I bought more coolant and distilled water just in case. Checked oil and coolant another 20-30 miles down the road, still nothing in oil or coolant loss. Drove the next 200+ miles and watched temp gauge fluctuate between 205 - 230 (close to end of bracket) but not over bracket line or into red. Tested at 55 mph to 75 mph, with and without A/C running nothing seemed to affect it except quick increase in speed or going up hill would send temps higher. Getting off freeway temp was at 205 and I was slowing down and then "Check Gauges" light came on, all gauges were within normal limits then it went off after a minute. Coolant temp went up in traffic due to high idle, still wouldn't drop down below 1,000 rpm.
Have done that trip 5-10 times a year never had any issues with or without trailer, loaded or empty. Not hauling trailer yesterday, not anymore weight than usual. Truck still idling high this morning. Checked for codes, no codes at all and didn't clear any.
Anyone have a similar experience or changed out computer? Wondering if dealer can re-flash computer or update software without charging me an arm and a leg for a new computer.
Previous issues have been the grid heater coming on when 60 degrees out and warmer, even after trucks been running during the day, never had the grid heater come on before except in the morning, in California by Sacramento, winters are not that cold. Aftermarket cool down has been shutting off early or staying on after temp drops to 300. Windshield wipers will occasionally run when not in use or stop when being used on intermittent mode, usually only happens once and is fine. Occasional alert ding in cab for no reason, sounds like low fuel ding or check gauges ding but no lights on or codes thrown.
Replaced water pump about 1,500 miles ago, did not replace thermostat at the time since no issues with it at the time. Coolant expansion tank was low yesterday so I added coolant to it, never saw evidence of leak, I check for puddles or drips under truck every morning, assumed that it was an air bubble that finally worked itself out. Checked oil, no evidence of coolant in oil, will do an oil sample this weekend and send off for testing.
First sign of an issue was when I stopped for a bathroom break, temp outside was around 90 degrees, truck idle was around 1,000 rpm, like the truck though it needed to idle higher to warm up when I was letting it cool to 300 degrees, let wife and kids run in for the restroom and I thought I'd run up and down the road to see if I could get the idle to kick down, no luck. Again the grid heater turned on when key was in on position but not started. Started up and again idle was at 1,000 rpm. Got on highway and watched temp sit around 205, then it rose to 225 or closer to 245 red than I like, still not over bracket on gauge into red, only doing around 55 mph. Stopped at next town and filled expansion tank to full level instead of half way between cold and max. Fluid stayed there for trip, but I bought more coolant and distilled water just in case. Checked oil and coolant another 20-30 miles down the road, still nothing in oil or coolant loss. Drove the next 200+ miles and watched temp gauge fluctuate between 205 - 230 (close to end of bracket) but not over bracket line or into red. Tested at 55 mph to 75 mph, with and without A/C running nothing seemed to affect it except quick increase in speed or going up hill would send temps higher. Getting off freeway temp was at 205 and I was slowing down and then "Check Gauges" light came on, all gauges were within normal limits then it went off after a minute. Coolant temp went up in traffic due to high idle, still wouldn't drop down below 1,000 rpm.
Have done that trip 5-10 times a year never had any issues with or without trailer, loaded or empty. Not hauling trailer yesterday, not anymore weight than usual. Truck still idling high this morning. Checked for codes, no codes at all and didn't clear any.
Anyone have a similar experience or changed out computer? Wondering if dealer can re-flash computer or update software without charging me an arm and a leg for a new computer.
