Expert: Sean Halliday - 8/1/2009

Question
QUESTION: Overheating: checked fuses, replaced relays,& replaced water pump. After all that, still overheating. Noticed cooling fans are not working.

Symptoms: Car runs for 10 minutes, temp gage shoots up, fans do not engage.

ANSWER: Did you change the temp sensor on the manifold?

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QUESTION: Changed the temp sensor. That was a pain. Temp still shot up fans never went on. Would theromstat be the trouble down? The upper hose was cool to touch and a lot of pressure in the hose. I'm running out of ideas.

ANSWER: One other possibility is a blocked radiator.Flush it out the opposite direction with a hose and see if you get a good flow.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Alright did both flushed radiator changed thermostat. Ran the car around the block a couple times. Temp didn't shot up as bad or as fast. Fans still didn't kick on. everything else was fine. As soon as car stopped moving parked in driveway temp began to go up. At wits end with this car. Can't get rid of it and can't keep it running. Any other ideas? Have a mulitimeter but not too familiar with the use of it. Wondering if the fans are in working order or if there's a short in the wiring?

Answer
The overheating is down to the fans not working.I assumed you tested the fans ,thats the first thing to do.Remove them from the car and using 2 wires,attach them direct to a 12 volt source.There will be 2 wires either blue or black.Black is negative so hook them up and if the fans work then back to the car.Does this car have a bleed nipple on the thermostat housing?Have you changed the sensor?The sender for the pcm.This car has 2 sensors,one for the dash and one for the pcm.Its the temp sender you need.