I have another question regarding my corolla. (Here's the original post: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AmcukPGiXom5vEYj1fgGVedIzKIX?qid=20070310212939AAYFnig)
It seems to get hot only when its idling (like at a stoplight or on my driveway) (probably because there is less airflow). The fans do come on when it starts to get warm, but only stay on for a few seconds at a time (maybe 30 sec at most). According to the temperature gauge, at least, it seems to level off at between 2/3 and 3/4 of the way to the red area (usual operating temperature is just under halfway).
Would this point (relatively) definitively to the thermostat as the culprit?
2007-03-13 09:45:20 · 6 answers · asked by steveb1492 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
I like the new car idea, but thats not really an option right now (unfortunately). It is the original radiator, but the fact that the fans turn on really late and only stay on for a little bit seems to point to something else.
What exactly does the thermostat do? Would it or the coolant temperature sensor be the more likely culprit?
2007-03-13 12:54:14 · update #1
i would say with alomost a 100% certainty that the thermostat is your culprit but when you go to your parts store ask them which the suggest because the sell to type oneis a high temp and the other is mid temp
2007-03-13 09:56:19 · answer #1 · answered by Crystal B 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i agree that the thermocouple to the fan is bad but i would add a couple of things. first this is an old car and i had the same issue with an old car that being that the radiator was shot. the fins were breaking off the radiator just from age and hence the radiator was not doing its job. second, it is possible that your system needs to be bled. u might have an air bubble in there. third, u may have an obstruction in your cooling system. fourth i would question how well your water pump is working given the age of this car. your cheapest fix would be to get a new switch for the fan but this doesnt explain why the car is overheating in the first place unless u are living somewhere where it is already very hot. check out the radiator fins. see if they are falling off from just being touched by a finger. do a flush of your cooling system.
2007-03-13 17:13:03 · answer #2 · answered by robert s 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's definitely not the thermostat, or it would be worse when you were moving. People always say thermostat, because it's the only word they know, when in fact overheating is almost never caused by bad thermostats. It sounds like the fan relays or motors might be bad, but if that's the original radiator, it's sure to be in pretty bad shape at that age.
2007-03-13 19:49:50 · answer #3 · answered by Nomadd 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
not definitely...but probably. I'm assuming that the radiator is full and the coolant set at a reasonable freeze point. I believe that vehicle also has a coolant temperature sensor which could also be a culprit
2007-03-13 16:57:28 · answer #4 · answered by malemute1 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the engine temperature is above normal while idling & the fans are not running continuously, The temperature sensor is bad.
2007-03-13 17:04:08 · answer #5 · answered by gejandsons 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Buy a new car
2007-03-13 16:54:04 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋