Air conditioner/overheating

Tiny
GEMLADY6
  • MEMBER
  • 2007 MERCURY MARQUIS
  • V8
  • 60,250 MILES
What is wrong if the air conditioner will only blow out thru the defrost and floor and make the car overheat? 2007 mercury grand marquis ls
Sunday, July 10th, 2011 AT 12:26 AM

12 Replies

Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
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The blowin' part is probably unrelated to the overheating....I suspect a door actuator inside the heater is not functioning properly

This could be a broken or pulled loose Vacuum line...Could be electrical, I do not know what kind of actuator is on your heater.

Just looked, it's electric!

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_HVAC-Heater-Blend-Door-Actuator-Dorman---OE-Solutions_15490058-P_2102_R%7CGRPCOOLAMS_1222612449___

May be broke, may not be getting "Juice"

As for the Overheating....several possibilities

I'll rattle some off

Radiator Juice is low?

Radiator plugged up internally

Radiator fins nasty and no air flow

Thermostat not working

Cooling fans not coming on, when motor is at operating temp, and calling for the fans to work?

Fuse for fan

Bad or intermittently working fan relay

Some of these are simple to check.....Are you able?

With the simple checks, and negative results (such as the fan not working)

I may be able to talk you thru a simple fix!

HAVE YOU OVERHEATED IT A LOT/ DROVE IT WHEN IT WAS HOT, MORE THAN JUST FINDING A SAFE PLACE TO STOP?

IF SO YOU MAY HAVE DAMAGED SOME MAJOR---EXPENSIVE STUFF!

TELL ME IN MORE DETAIL THE WHOLE SITUATION....AND ANSWERS TO THE SIMPLE STUFF I GAVE YOU TO CHECK!

YOUR TURN

THE MEDIC

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Sunday, July 10th, 2011 AT 5:21 AM
Tiny
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When it overheated it shot up really quick red light came on and I shut it off immediately. I let it sit for 30 minutes, checked the level in the radiator (that was fine). I thought maybe because it was a very humid 98 outside it could have had something to do with it. I bought this car in March and bought an extended warranty with it. As to the fan I can hear it kicking off and on, the only time it ran hot was with the air conditioner on. I have not flushed the radiator because the fluid was new, should I flush the system? What do you suggest
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Sunday, July 10th, 2011 AT 5:52 AM
Tiny
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DID YOU INSTALL THE RADIATOR JUICE?

WAS IT MIXED PROPERLY AND THEN INSTALLED, OR WAS IT A GUESSING GAME AS TO HOW MUCH WATER WAS PUT IN WITH THE COOLANT/ ANTIFREEZE....MANY JUST DUMP IT IN AND FILL WITH WATER!

YOU CAN TEST THE AMOUNT OF PROTECTION WITH A "ANTIFREEZE TESTER"...MANY OF THE "SQUEEZE BALL" TYPE HAVE COLD PROTECTION PRINTED ON ONE SIDE AND HOT ON THE OTHER!

I BELIEVE I WOULD DO THE THERMOSTAT NEXT!.....RADIATOR AIN'T REALLY THAT OLD.

ARE YOU ABLE?

I MAY CAN GIVE YOU A LESS EXPENSIVE THAN A SHOP, SUGGESTION(S)

STILL ABLE TO RELY ON THEIR ABILITIES, KINDA REPAIR ALTERNATIVE!......MY JEEPS HAVE NOT BEEN TO A SHOP SINCE 1987...'CEPT FOR ALIGNMENTS...I DO IT ALL, AND REBUILD 'EM FROM NOTHING!....AND IMMA PLUMBER, I KNOW SOME RELIABLE SHORTCUTS!

A THERMOSTAT IS A FAIRLY EZ TASK....BUT THE SHOPS REALLY PUT IT TO YOU!

I'LL SHOW YOU THE PART, AND A CLOSE PRICE....I PLUGGED IN THE MODEL AS "GS" AS YOU DID NOT STATE, WHICH YOU HAD AT THE TOP!

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_Thermostat,-195-Degrees-Fahrenheit-Stant_5650002-P_133_R%7CGRPCOOLAMS_1715336573____

A GASKET MAY ALSO BE NEEDED....AND SOME MORE PROPERLY MIXED JUICE!

MOST OF THE TIME IT TAKES ABOUT 15-30 MINUTES TO DO THIS, IF YOU ARE KNOWLEDGEABLE, AND THERE AIN'T A BUNCH OF CRAP IN THE WAY!

I'VE SEEN SHOPS CHARGE $150-$250 TO DO THIS!.....BET YOU COULD GET IT DONE FOR $40 OR LESS!

BELOW YOU WILL SEE WHAT I RESURRECTED FROM ABSOLUTE NOTHINGNESS! AT 1ST, MY NEIGHBORS KEPT ASKING ME, "WHAT IS THAT?!"....2 YEARS LATER, THERE WAS NO DOUBT! HE'S NOW ONE OF MY 2 DAILY DRIVER JEEPS......HIS NAME IS "WILLY" AND HE'S 65 YEARS YOUNG!...DONE IT ALL,....BY MYSELF!

YOUR TURN

THE MEDIC

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Sunday, July 10th, 2011 AT 6:38 AM
Tiny
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Oh yeah!

Meant to ask you how many fans are on you car?

If 2, are both of 'em working when the A/C is on? (You said before, the "fan" was working)

The Medic
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Sunday, July 10th, 2011 AT 7:01 AM
Tiny
GEMLADY6
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I have no idea how to tell if it has two fans or not. My radiator fluid was checked when I got an oil change a week ago, my husband worked there before he deployed and they said mix in radiator was perfect, they checked it in front of me.
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Sunday, July 10th, 2011 AT 1:45 PM
Tiny
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No problem!

Are you located at a military post?

The Medic
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Sunday, July 10th, 2011 AT 3:03 PM
Tiny
GEMLADY6
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No, he is national guard.
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Sunday, July 10th, 2011 AT 3:45 PM
Tiny
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Bad things can happen in a weeks time. Moments, for that matter!

Pop the hood

Check your radiator water level. Stop here, if things aren't right. Let me know

Then.

Can you crank him up?

A/C OFF!

Stay with him

Monitor the temp

Actually watch the fan(s). Behind the radiator, how many?

STAY AWAY FROM THOSE PESKY MOVING ENGINE PARTS!

See what the temp is reading when they come on?

Does temp seem to drop when they/ it come on, and run a while?

Now turn on A/C, what happens with temp and fans?

Kill it

Results?

His MOS?

The Medic
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Sunday, July 10th, 2011 AT 5:17 PM
Tiny
GEMLADY6
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Car starts fine, radiator is fine, it runs fine and does not overheat. Before if I was driving with air off it does not overheat, if you turn on the air after about 5 to 10 min the temp will rise from half way between the c and h to about 7/8 from the c. I have not been running the air at all. I switched to driving my truck that is a gas hog in order to keep from hurting the car
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Monday, July 11th, 2011 AT 3:37 AM
Tiny
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"Halfway" does not necessarily mean "Overheat". It is hot outside and machines must work harder!

You still need to monitor it, make sure it does not go higher

I want you to get a Second Opinion with someone "Hands On"

Some take stuff to big shops---others try to go less expensive

I prefer "Less Expensive", "Knowledgeable", and "Able to Complete the Task Correctly"

OR a FREE OPINION!

So here's my recommendation. You can back out if you do not feel good about it!

Play the game!

Go to a popular auto parts store

Have your battery checked/ charging system. This is normal activity at a parts store!

Also separates your target man, from the other employees. And you can converse without the hussle and bussle inside the store

Any embarrassment is avoided

While he is checking, ask about your Temp Gauge, ask if he thinks the thermostat could be the problem. Or can he consult with someone there, who might know.

If so,

Also ask if there is an employee there, Skilled, and capable, that could perform the task in their off time.

Sometimes fellers working their do things like this "on the side"

This is not a hard task! Wing it from here on out, as far as price, and location.

I got much of my "Reading and Manipulating" people skills in the 1st Ranger Battalion.

Whatchu Think?

The Medic
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Monday, July 11th, 2011 AT 4:15 AM
Tiny
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I will try to do that tomorrow or tuesday. I am also going to call my extended warranty, I have a 50.00 deductible on it so that might be the way to go, I used to be in the car business for 20yrs so I bought the extended warranty. Thank you so much for all of your help.
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Monday, July 11th, 2011 AT 4:40 AM
Tiny
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Let us know the outcome!

The Medic
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Monday, July 11th, 2011 AT 4:55 AM

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