My grand am ocassionally overheats instead of being at 200 on the temp gauge like it's supposed to it goes all the way to 400 and the car starts missing and the "NO TRAC" sign comes on right next to the speedometer. Can anyone tell me whats going on... i know that it's not that it doesn't have enough antifreeze cause i check that frequently... thanks
2007-10-24 05:24:02 · 7 answers · asked by hannah 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Car Makes ➔ Pontiac
First as a warning, if you let it get up to 400, you may have already caused serious engine damage.
Things that could cause the car to overheat
1. Thermostat stuck or sticking in the closed position. Your thermostat may be wearing out and needs to be replaced. Typically a $10-$15 part.
2. Your cooling fans aren't turning on. Typically causes overheating only when your car is idling at a stop light, and car is fine when you're driving fast. (Commonly caused by a bad fan relay or bad fan motor)
3. Bad water pump.
4. Clogged Radiator.
5. Blown head gasket.
If your car begins to overheat, definitely turn on your heater inside the passenger compartment and turn the fan on full blast. You may sweat a little, but it may save your engine.
Definitely get the engine inspected if you let the temperature get up to 400 degrees, engine may already be toast.
2007-10-24 05:31:00 · answer #1 · answered by hsueh010 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Does this happen when your idling? If so, your fans may not be turning on. There are fans in your car that are supposed to automatically turn on when you idle, because there is very little air circulation. If they are not coming on, you may have a broken thermostat. Turn on your car, and open your hood. Let it run for a bit.. once the temp starts going up, you should hear a click, and the sound of fans coming on.
You also could have an internal leak.
You should probably take it to a mechanic. Pretty quickly too, since running at a high temp can do permanent damage to your car.
2007-10-24 05:31:38 · answer #2 · answered by justin_I 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well if it is not leaking or losing coolant I would put the old thermostat and the old sensor back in to see if the problem goes away. Also try bleeding the air out as the radiator fill might not be the high point in the system. There might be a bleeder screw at the thermostat housing and another one above the water pump, in the 'plumbing' that takes the coolant across the engine. These can be opened slightly and then run the engine until coolant comes out.
2016-05-25 12:06:38 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You may have a bad thermostat. It sits inside one of the Radiator hoses that connects to the Engine Block. Not hard to replace and costs under $20 for the part. This is most likely your problem. If not, you may have a bad Water Pump and that is more complicated.
2007-10-24 05:29:45 · answer #4 · answered by Marv S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds more like an electrical issue with the instrument panel if the No Trac light is also coming on.
2007-10-25 13:13:09 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i assume you have already had the intake gaskets replaced, they were all defective from the factory that year on the 3.4 v6.
2007-10-25 06:42:14 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
uh your thermostat is sticking replace it
2007-10-24 05:28:02 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋