when is sitting park starts overheating

100,000 MILES • V8 • FWD • AUTOMATIC
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1CGARCIA
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car does not overheat when is sitting park starts overheating when we put it on the hway . took it to the mechanic he said its not the thermostat anyone with suggestions
Mar 12, 2014 at 12:19 AM
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SQM
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 6,383 POSTS
Hello,

Typically, when a vehicle overheats when stationary, it is due to faulty radiator cooling fans.
Check to see if the fans are coming on when the engine reaches operating temperature.

Inoperative cooling fan can be due to bad cooling fan relay, faulty coolant temperature sensor, malfunctioning fan or wiring.

First check the relay. This vehicle has 3 relays for the cooling fans. They are located in the fuse box under the hood. I have attached the diagrams below.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-fuse

If the coolant temperature sends incorrect information to the ECM the fan will not get turned on, regardless of the engine temperature, as the ECM will not be able to monitor the actual data.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/symptoms-of-a-bad-coolant-temperature-sensor
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/coolant-temperature-sensor-cts-replacement

Also, one or both fan motor can be bad.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-electric-fan-motor

I have attached diagrams for your reference.

Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you.
Oct 18, 2021 at 2:38 PM
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