Why is my car overheating but cooling down right away?

SCOOTER13

MEMBER
1999 SATURN SC1
138,000 MILES

When I drive my car the temp gauge goes to hot and the fan kicks in but after about 10 seconds the temp gauge goes back to normal and the fan stops. It does this quite often each day. I was thinking it would possibly be the thermostat but im not quite sure.

4 Replies

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

-Check and test thermostat and coolant temperature sensor-

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Sunday, November 27th, 2011 AT 11:34 PM

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,869 POSTS

Just to add to this one the fan should come on when the temp gauge is just over half way on the gauge is that where the fan is coming on?Also those engines are known for bad coolant temp sensors and leaking into the connectors and corroding them.

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Monday, November 28th, 2011 AT 12:09 AM

SCOOTER13

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Yes, and the needle goes all the way and then goes back to 1/4. Thank you

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Monday, November 28th, 2011 AT 12:23 AM

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,869 POSTS

Running up just past half and the fan coming on is the normal range. Doesn mean your coolant temp sensor is good though because that engine uses one sensor for the gauge and the computer. So if its overheating you would never know it. The sensor is like 11 if you wanted to change it.I have owned my 1999 saturn SL2 for 6yrs and have put 3 coolant temp sensors in it so far. Just to give you an idea of how often they fail.

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Monday, November 28th, 2011 AT 12:31 AM