while driving runs cool at idle gets hot?
I believe there are two temp sensors, one for the gauge which is in the left head and the other oone is in the water pump. That one controls the fan and the sensor could be bad. Before you add a switch try a new sensor. Don't even drain the rad. if you're quick enough you can swap it out with little coolant coming out.
On The Tree
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 189
Likes: 0
From: Utah
I had that exact problem when my water pump went out. Spun the bearing, or something, when doing a high speed run one day while on a road trip. It started out like that, where it would just get hot at stop light traffic. Then on the way home, it would heat up if I went slower then like 65mph, and never come down. I would highly suggest replacing the water pump, while doing the 160 thermo replacement.
Here's what I would do. I'm the guy who mentioned don't use the "band aid" approach, specifically by going to a 160 thermo. All that is going to do is allow the thermo to open at a lower temp, it's not going to solve an overheating problem. A 160 thermo on a properly cooling car is okay, but it's not going to solve a true overheating problem. I've been through this and this is what I'd suggest:
1. Make sure your radiator cap is good.
2. Make sure you have the proper thermostat and the system is bled properly
3. Test your fans - both of them. You can just use regular wire and connect them directly to the battery, or even a portable charger. I used alligator clips and three foot sections of wire.
4. If the fans are working properly, replace the water pump temp sensor. Like alconk said, it's a quick, easy and cheap solution to the fan problem, IF it is a fan problem
5. Go get a coolant and pressure check, which is inexpensive and can tell you a few things: 1. If you're getting proper circulation of the coolant, like if you have a clogged radiator, which is cheap, a bad water pump, which is relatively cheap, and 2. If you have a coolant leak, especially if you have a head gasket problem, which can be expensive.
The main thing is to properly solve the cooling issue, or you're going to be looking at a major repair. If I had listened to a forum member who said, "get a coolant check" I would have saved myself a lot of time, grief and $$$$.
Just my .02.
1. Make sure your radiator cap is good.
2. Make sure you have the proper thermostat and the system is bled properly
3. Test your fans - both of them. You can just use regular wire and connect them directly to the battery, or even a portable charger. I used alligator clips and three foot sections of wire.
4. If the fans are working properly, replace the water pump temp sensor. Like alconk said, it's a quick, easy and cheap solution to the fan problem, IF it is a fan problem
5. Go get a coolant and pressure check, which is inexpensive and can tell you a few things: 1. If you're getting proper circulation of the coolant, like if you have a clogged radiator, which is cheap, a bad water pump, which is relatively cheap, and 2. If you have a coolant leak, especially if you have a head gasket problem, which can be expensive.
The main thing is to properly solve the cooling issue, or you're going to be looking at a major repair. If I had listened to a forum member who said, "get a coolant check" I would have saved myself a lot of time, grief and $$$$.
Just my .02.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,162
Likes: 0
From: St. Augustine, FL
Originally Posted by alconk
I believe there are two temp sensors, one for the gauge which is in the left head and the other oone is in the water pump. That one controls the fan and the sensor could be bad. Before you add a switch try a new sensor. Don't even drain the rad. if you're quick enough you can swap it out with little coolant coming out.
gawd dont let it touch the opti.. just the aroma of coolant will cause it to act up! haha.. Alot of good info here.. I'm betting on the 2nd fan itself being bad or at least, the wiring for it. Good luck!
I know the first fan comes on, now i need to check the 2nd fan and if that comes on i will take it to my mechanic to do a coolant check and from there i will start buying parts. Thanks everyone for you input it has lead me in the right direction in where to go.
-Brett
-Brett
If its a '97 model BOTH fans should run together. They both come on together at low speed, then kick in high speed when temp climbs. If only one fan is running, i'd say thats your peoblem (second fan not working) as they should both be running when the fan turns on.
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Brett Foote
Originally Posted by lt1swap95
I know the first fan comes on, now i need to check the 2nd fan and if that comes on i will take it to my mechanic to do a coolant check and from there i will start buying parts. Thanks everyone for you input it has lead me in the right direction in where to go.
-Brett
-Brett
i think im a little late on this thread but. i have a 97 Z28 that did the same thing the fans are programed not to turn on until the temp gets way into the red that is normal to a point mine was about 235 and then it would kick the fans on and drop. i bought a manual fan switch kit from slp and my car sitting in traffic in hot weather with the fans manually switched on high never gets above 180. i think that all you need is a manual switch if you want to eliminate this problem or you can just live with it. it is very scary but thats how the LT1 cooling systems are designed.
so if you want to run cool just get a manual switch no 160 stat needed keep in mind the lt1 was designed to run at 180 not 160.
so if you want to run cool just get a manual switch no 160 stat needed keep in mind the lt1 was designed to run at 180 not 160.
MadMike Im glad someone has had similar problems and found a cheap way to fix it. Thats what I was told at first to do (get the fan switch) so ill be getting the fan switch soon and i just bought the 160* stat earlier today so I guess ill just be running a litter cooler than lt1's are supposed to run.
Originally Posted by lt1swap95
MadMike Im glad someone has had similar problems and found a cheap way to fix it. Thats what I was told at first to do (get the fan switch) so ill be getting the fan switch soon and i just bought the 160* stat earlier today so I guess ill just be running a litter cooler than lt1's are supposed to run.
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,564
Likes: 4
From: Decatur, TN (N-W of Athens)
Originally Posted by hyperzone
gawd dont let it touch the opti.. just the aroma of coolant will cause it to act up! haha.. Alot of good info here.. I'm betting on the 2nd fan itself being bad or at least, the wiring for it. Good luck!
