Chrysler Repair: Engine never reaches operating temp., coolant temp, radiator cooling fans

Question
Roland, we purchased a 1995 LeBaron V6 a few months ago.  As the weather turned cooler, we noticed that the heater didn't ever get warm.  That's when we noticed that the engine temp gauge barely moved off the peg.  Even after lengthly driving, the gauge only moves up about 10-15% of the scale and considerably below "normal" operating temperature.  The thermostat was my first thought.  After installing a brand new, 190 deg. 'stat, there's absolutely no change in the low temp.  What else can I check?

Answer
Hi Rick,
Most folks have the opposite problem with the cooling system, but I know that you need heat.
I wonder if it might be the case that the radiator cooling fans are coming on at too low a temperature and thus overcooling the system. You might note as to whether the fans come on and if so under what conditions of temperature. It may be a little difficult to actually measure the temp accurately for lack of access to the coolant proper, except right at the filler neck. But you could open the filler cap before the system pressurized and let the engine idle until the fans come on and with a thermometer in the radiator filler opening so as to determine the temp when the fans come on, and also see what the max temp you can obtain in that mode of operation.
If the coolant temp sensor were off value it could turn the fans on prematurely.
You might also want to check for any fault codes stored in the engine controller memory. Just turn the ignition switch:
"on-off-on-off-on and leave on" within an elapsed time of 5 seconds or less. Then watch the check engine lamp to begin to flash, pause, flash, pause, etc. Count the number of flashes before each pause. Then group those numbers in pair to form two digit numbers which are the fault codes. The last numbers will be 55, end of readout. A 17 code would say that the engine is not warming up quickly enough and that would be a basis for checking the coolant sensor. It should read 7,000 to 14,000 ohms at 70F and 700-1000 ohms at 200F across its two terminals. It is located right next the the manifold where the thermostat is housed.
So those are my ideas. Please let me know what you observe and maybe we can improve things for you.
Roland