Replaced radiator, thermostats and the fan assemble, why is the vehicle was still getting hot?

1996 DODGE CARAVAN
200 MILES • 3.8L • 6 CYL
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KERRY MOORE
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  • 3 POSTS
FYI replaced radiator, thermostats and the fan assemble. The vehicle was still getting hot, I found fans still not coming on all the time. So, I wired it so fans come on all the time once the key is activated, could this be wrong?
Aug 10, 2022 at 8:47 PM
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STRAILER
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This sounds like two problems, first the fan control relay goes out and causes the fans to come on all the time, it is solid state so you will need to replace it here is the location in the diagrams below. Next for the overheating have you checked the coolant level? If so, you could have a blown head gasket. I would go over these guides to see if they can help us find the problem:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-overheating-or-running-hot

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/head-gasket-blown-test

Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.





Aug 11, 2022 at 10:01 AM
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KERRY MOORE
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Thank you, Ken, for your help. First maybe I should explain I am the monkey in the middle here. I type better than my shade tree mechanic. Van was losing coolant. Found the radiator had a leak in the seal so we replaced it with a second one after about 3 years. The van started to get hot, so we replaced the thermostat. Next time we were out it overheated again, we live in the desert and vehicles get hot here. Under future inspection we found the A/C fan motor was no good. We could have replaced just the fan, but it was not much more money for both fans in the housing and lifetime warranty. Still getting hot so checked wiring. Fan relay was burnt circuit got hot. My shade tree mechanic ran a jumper wire from the fuse to the fan. It will blow the fuse I guess if there is a problem. Van has not overheated anymore but the A/C started blowing hot air and I was wondering if this is because the fans are on all the time and the A/C is not working as it should. Yes/ we did recharge the system with no changes. Thank you Ken, for your patience hope you can help.
Aug 18, 2022 at 11:22 AM
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STRAILER
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Yes, with the A/C on the fan must run all the time the A/C is on. You could have a blown head gasket which this test can help you find out; it is about 70% effective.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/head-gasket-blown-test

let me know, you can get a tester from the auto parts store, you can rent it for cheap.
Aug 18, 2022 at 6:56 PM