It overheats in city streets, but not on the highway/freeway. It also overheats while I idle. I drive and let it cool down. It doesn't reach the max limit though. Does anyone know why? I drive a 2000 Jetta. It does not leak anti-freeze or anything else.
2007-05-06 16:00:16 · 6 answers · asked by Papi Tony 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Car Makes ➔ Volkswagen
You either need a new switch or sensor or perhaps a new belt for the fan. When you are driving down the highway the speed produces enough of a breeze to cool the engine through the grill. (Why the old Volkswagons didn't need radiators. For slow driving each piston housing had cooling vanes to draw the heat away from the engine).
If it's not leaking and looks you can see that the fluid is almost to the top, the radiator itself is okay. The fluid never comes up to the top because it needs some extra room for when the fluid expands when it is hot. Your car should have a dipstick or a guage to measure the level.
There is a small possibility that its the pump, but since you don't get overheating while driving on the highway, it is an indication that the pump is moving coolant from the radiator to the engine.
2007-05-06 16:22:03 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
First things to check to ensure there is enough radiator fluid in the radiator.
Otherwise, the most likely cause is a failing electrical fan relay switch. The relay switch is used to by your car's computer to tell the cooling fans to turn on or off. Think of it as a light switch that is controlled by a computer.
Now most of the time, when the computer "flips" the switch, the cooling fans turn on. However sometimes the computer "flips" the switch and the electricity doesn't flow to turn on the fans.
Also while the car is in motion, air passes over the radiator without the need for the cooling fans, while in slower traffic, you need to cooling fans to draw the air over the radiator.
If you car's beginning to overheat, pop the hood and see if your cooling fans are spinning. If they aren't then you've got a bad fan relay.
The other possibility is the temperature sensor is bad and is giving your faulty readings.
The next time your engine looks like it's moving beyond 200 degrees, pop your hood, the cooling fans should be turning on soon (also watch your fingers!).
If the car continues to heat up with out the cooling fans turning on it's the relay switch or possibly the fan motors themselves.
Also don't let your engine get too hot or you'll blow a head gasket and that's many $$$ to repair.
2007-05-06 23:03:02 · answer #2 · answered by hsueh010 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Does it have any antifreeze in it? They don't always leak to lose it atleast not that you may see. Can you smell it when hot? It could be your thermostat or possibly the water pump check for fluid and listen for sounds like a loud pitched whistle that is a sign it may be the waterpump also have the thermostat changed if that doesn't fix it take it and have it looked at.
2007-05-06 23:11:54 · answer #3 · answered by ja man 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Guessing that the fan is not turning on when the engine temp is high. Engine temp sensor is located in the rad on the drivers side of rad. Have it checked out. Could be just a burnt out fuse.
2007-05-07 00:38:26 · answer #4 · answered by ButwhatdoIno? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check the electric fan switch some times the switch will go out what you can do is run a togole switch wire it driect and put a togole switch in your dash.
2007-05-06 23:16:55 · answer #5 · answered by Cheryl D 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your electric fan isnt turing on. They are supposed to come on only when the collant gets to a certain tempurature. Bad fan, bad sensor, bad relay. Need to get it checked out.
2007-05-06 23:04:22 · answer #6 · answered by pappy 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋