2002 Chevy Cavalier Overheating in Traffic

2002 CHEVROLET TRUCK
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SHEP2735
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  • 2 POSTS
I have 2002 chevy cavalier...i was stuck in traffic for a while a noticed the temperature gauge approching the red zone. The check gauges light came on. I turned on my heater and the temp gauge began to go down to normal operation and was fine thereafter. Any ideas what might have caused this situation ar what I can troubleshoot. The fluid level is up inthe reserve tank.
Aug 27, 2006 at 6:40 AM
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MIKEYBDMAN
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 623 POSTS
[quote:5c3331f30d="shep2735"]I have 2002 chevy cavalier...i was stuck in traffic for a while a noticed the temperature gauge approching the red zone. The check gauges light came on. I turned on my heater and the temp gauge began to go down to normal operation and was fine thereafter. Any ideas what might have caused this situation ar what I can troubleshoot. The fluid level is up inthe reserve tank.[/quote:5c3331f30d]

I would look to see if your radiator fan is turning while it is getting hot.
Aug 27, 2006 at 6:51 AM
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CJORDAN
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  • 4 POSTS
all cavaliers seem to idle hot...i have one myself...you simply cant run AC without having your car in motion.
Aug 28, 2006 at 2:40 PM
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THUMBS
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  • 5 POSTS
check to see what coolant flow thru the engine is if your coolant isn,t flowing enough you might need to flush your coolant system. you can not mix Gm,s longlife coolant (dexcool) with normal ethiline glycol it makes a sludge mixture. also check for any air blockage in between the radiator and the air condition rad. road debree can get sucked up between the to and cause restricted air flow
Aug 29, 2006 at 12:13 AM
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SHEP2735
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Found the problem...noticed the cooling fan was not turning at about 2/3 hot. I looked at the Cooling Fan relay and and right next the the this relay was the blower fan relay both were the same relay number. I new the blower in the car was working so I swapped relay. Thou and behold after the switch the blower wasn't working. Went and bought a new relay and all is well. Thanks guys for all your suggestions...
Aug 29, 2006 at 12:30 PM
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Suggested Repair

Replace the cooling fan relay. Confirm the diagnosis by swapping it with the identical blower-fan relay if the cooling fan does not run when the engine is hot.

Conversation Summary

A 2002 Chevy Cavalier ran hot in traffic, the check gauges light came on, and turning on the heater brought the temperature back to normal. Coolant level in the reserve tank was fine. Suggestions included checking whether the radiator fan runs when hot, verifying coolant flow and possible sludge from mixing Dex-Cool with conventional coolant, and looking for debris blocking airflow between the radiator and condenser. The owner found the cooling fan was not running, swapped its relay with the identical working blower relay, and the blower then failed. A new relay restored normal operation.

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