Coolant Temperature Sensor

[mopargocar]

2002 ES

Question -
Car was at operating temperature (189ish) and has now been sitting for over 5 hours. My Blue Driver scanner Live data says the coolant temp is still at 82 degrees. After 5 hours shouldn’t that temp be pretty close to the outside air temp? (It’s 50 degrees here in Missouri)

I have been having a hard time with cold starts on this car. It has a super rough idle and sometimes will die and not run at all upon initial start. After it warms up it’s fine. The warmer the temp is outside the better it does with cold starts. I’ve replaced a list of things with no solution as of yet.

Fuel Pump and Reg
AIC Valve
TPS
Upstream 02
Map Sensor
Coil, Plugs, and Wires
Valve Cover Gasket w’ Spark Plug Tubes

No codes on the car
I have a cam and crank sensor I haven’t installed yet
Car has over 300,000. Best car I’ve ever owned. It was neglected for a while so I don’t mind putting in some new stuff. It’s not bad if you do the labor. Thanks

[occasional demons]

Feel the cylinder head and see if it is warm to the touch, or if it is closer to the surrounding sheet metal in temperature. At 82° it should definitely feel warmer than the surrounding area.

If it is cold, then a new ECT probably can't hurt.

I would spend for one from Mopar. Aftermarket has never been good for coolant sensors.