- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Car overheating while idle.
Posted on 4/15/16 at 12:31 am
Posted on 4/15/16 at 12:31 am
I'm not a car guy by any means. I went in for a check up and they found nothing wrong.
I'm assuming it only does it while idle due to a malfunctioning engine fan, since it doesn't do it while running. Recently replaced my pads myself to avoid heavy spending, so I'm wondering if I can self fix this at a low cost.
Any suggestions?
I'm assuming it only does it while idle due to a malfunctioning engine fan, since it doesn't do it while running. Recently replaced my pads myself to avoid heavy spending, so I'm wondering if I can self fix this at a low cost.
Any suggestions?
This post was edited on 4/15/16 at 12:33 am
16
Posted on 4/15/16 at 12:34 am to GeauxTigerNation
Travel board.
Posted on 4/15/16 at 12:35 am to Havoc
Uh, na.
Posted on 4/15/16 at 12:42 am to GeauxTigerNation
Yes, sounds like the cooling fan is not coming on. Could be a couple of things. Fuse, relay, temperature sensor, cooling fan motor, etc.
Posted on 4/15/16 at 12:45 am to GeauxTigerNation
Fan relay possibly. Do you have a jumper wire or a meter to test it?
Posted on 4/15/16 at 12:45 am to GeauxTigerNation
Definitely a fan issue if it's only doing it at idle, as when you're moving, fresh air is running into the engine bay cooling the motor. Start with the cheaper fixes first, and that's relays and fuses. At worst, you'll have to replace the entire fan with a new one, but it is something you could do yourself.
Posted on 4/15/16 at 12:45 am to Jimbeaux
That seems to be the general consensus. Guess I better replace it.
Posted on 4/15/16 at 12:48 am to 7thWardTiger
ill check if it's getting power in the morning. Appreciate the replies guys.
And yeah I'm sure I've got one somewhere. Don't know about y'all, but my garage is full of stuff that just sits.
Looks like a hoarders wet dream for tools and faulty lawn mowers
And yeah I'm sure I've got one somewhere. Don't know about y'all, but my garage is full of stuff that just sits.
Looks like a hoarders wet dream for tools and faulty lawn mowers
This post was edited on 4/15/16 at 12:50 am
Posted on 4/15/16 at 12:50 am to GeauxTigerNation
what kind of vehicle? electric fan?
Posted on 4/15/16 at 12:50 am to diat150
2011 Ford Fiesta.
Posted on 4/15/16 at 12:54 am to GeauxTigerNation
I'd bet it's the cooling fan. Had the exact same problem as a sophomore in high school... In San Antonio... In the summer... 
Had to turn on the heater, windows down, try to stay on the highway. Most miserable week of my life. And a friend's when he decided to catch a ride with me
Had to turn on the heater, windows down, try to stay on the highway. Most miserable week of my life. And a friend's when he decided to catch a ride with me
Posted on 4/15/16 at 1:08 am to GeauxTigerNation
I once had to chase down the cause of that problem, and many frustrating hours later, discovered that electric fan motors sometimes don't break completely.
When I tested the fan with a wire from the battery, it ran just fine. However, straight from the battery provided a higher voltage, so the motor worked, but when the power was routed through the relay, it was a much lower voltage, which wasn't enough power to get the sick but not dead fan motor working!
I think I ended up replacing every component in that circuit before I figured it out!
When I tested the fan with a wire from the battery, it ran just fine. However, straight from the battery provided a higher voltage, so the motor worked, but when the power was routed through the relay, it was a much lower voltage, which wasn't enough power to get the sick but not dead fan motor working!
I think I ended up replacing every component in that circuit before I figured it out!
Posted on 4/15/16 at 1:48 am to GeauxTigerNation
Your thermostat could be stuck open. You should probably start there.
Posted on 4/15/16 at 2:17 am to GeauxTigerNation
If it only happens at idle or while stopped at redlights or in traffic replace the fan clutch, it's kinda a bitch and requires a tool that most people won't have but that applies to most all car repair these days.
Thermostat might be the culprit too.
When are you going to ditch the Ford? I'm off team Ford now that they decided to build the 2Billion dollar plant in Mexico instead of here in the U.S.A.
Thermostat might be the culprit too.
When are you going to ditch the Ford? I'm off team Ford now that they decided to build the 2Billion dollar plant in Mexico instead of here in the U.S.A.
Posted on 4/15/16 at 2:29 am to Jalbow3
Checking the thermostat is a stupid place to start. It's more than likely not that at all. I'd bet 99 percent that it's his fan. It's an easy fix and is a very common break. Just an fyi. When you troubleshoot you start with easy and work from there. That means the fan should be checked first. Troubleshooting is a lost art now days.
Posted on 4/15/16 at 2:38 am to Jalbow3
quote:
Your thermostat could be stuck open. You should probably start there.
Why would it overheat if the thermostat was stuck open and coolant was running through the radiator constantly?
What could be causing overheating during idle only (in order of likelihood):
1) Fan clutch is sticking
2) Fan is bad
3) Fan isn't getting power or signal to turn on
Posted on 4/15/16 at 4:49 am to dbeck
Engine can still run hot with thermostat stuck open. My f150 ran hot with no thermostat in it at all. Turned out a cylinder was cracked.
Posted on 4/15/16 at 5:33 am to Iron Lion
This happened to my wife's Nissan pathfinder. After some investigating, it was just a low coolant level. Check your radiator and reservoir first. Make sure to fill them to the proper levels. I did this months ago and no issue since. Mechanic friend of mine told me to start there.
Posted on 4/15/16 at 5:36 am to GeauxTigerNation
Stick a banana in your tailpipe and rev your engine. The potassium will absorb most of what's causing the overheat. 
Posted on 4/15/16 at 5:48 am to GeauxTigerNation
Checking the coolant levels is the easiest place to start. If your system has never been flushed, do that, as it needs to be done anyway.
This post was edited on 4/15/16 at 5:49 am
Page 1 of 3
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News