Hey guys, I own a 1997 Saturn SL and the overheating light turns on when im sitting in traffic. Any ideas as to why? It mostly happens at idle. Thanks.
2007-08-05 08:08:30 · 11 answers · asked by saturn owner 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
could be the thermostat....assuming your temperature sending unit is working correctly and your fan is kicking on when it should. Since it's an american car, there would be coolant leaking from the hole in the bottom of the water pump if it were bad. You'd notice that. I'd definately be checking out the thermostat if I were you. If you really want to check to see that the thermostat is working correctly, take it out of the car, and put it in a pot of water. Also put a thermometer in the pot. I'm assuming your car is a four cyl, and being GM it would more than likely be a 180 degree rated thermostat, so the thermostat should open slowly as the water gets close to the 180 degree mark. If you don't feel comfortable working on your own car... take it to the shop.
2007-08-12 18:52:34 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
if it only does it while idling then it could either be a cooling fan not working or the thermostat going bad in it,either one will cause the same problem,more than likely it could be the cooling fan not coming on like it should,because when your driving the air moving through the radiator will keep it cooled down,setting still it relies on the cooling fan,you might want a shop to look at this though,the one thing you don't want to do is run it hot,good luck on it.
2016-05-19 07:36:58 · answer #2 · answered by kaila 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Often with this problem it is a convergence of several problems. Mainly your radiator/cooling system isnt very efficient for some reason. The reason it happens when u are stopped is probably because you are running your air conditioner. It could also be your fan or fan clutch. Good luck with the problem.
2007-08-05 08:19:54 · answer #3 · answered by powerinknowledge 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you need to first check the coolant level in it then make sure the cooling fan is coming on,it sounds like the fan may not be working ,and that will cause it to do that,check the fuse for the fan,and also check the relay ,that should help you find the problem with it,there's also a sensor that goes bad,but first run 12 volts to the fan motor to verify it does work,good luck on it.
2007-08-05 08:13:58 · answer #4 · answered by dodge man 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sounds like the H2O pump may be going bad ---- open the top on the radiator and see if the water/coolant is flowing inside the radiator and coursing thru the motor --- only open and look when you have the car cold and you have time to let the engine warm and give the thermostat the time to open and the coolant time to flow --- might be any where from 8 to 15 minutes ... if you do not see the water flow and the hot lite is on it is time to take the car to the mechanic to get things replaced ...............
2007-08-05 08:18:48 · answer #5 · answered by XTX 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
cooling fan(s) problems are the most common cause of overheating sitting still in traffic... the radiator may be partialy restricted with sludge also
2007-08-05 08:13:44 · answer #6 · answered by John St.Louis 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
IT IS LIKELY THAT YOUR COOLING FAN IS NOT WORKING.
TRY FINDING AN INDEPENDENT SHOP INSTEAD OF THE DEALER OR A CHAIN STORE BECAUSE YOU WILL BE OVERALL MORE PLEASED WITH THE FINDINGS AND THE SERVICE.
2007-08-12 13:01:15 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You probably have a faulty temperature gauge.
2007-08-13 01:58:01 · answer #8 · answered by annazzz1966 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
check the radiator condition first.
2007-08-11 16:11:23 · answer #9 · answered by cctt 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
electric cooling fan not engaging..check temp switch and fan motor...
2007-08-05 08:11:18 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋