overheats at idling

2005 DODGE CARAVAN

177,000 MILES • 3.3L • V6 • 2WD • AUTOMATIC

HOFLICH7

MEMBER
1 POST
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overheats when idling and drive idling. Temperature gauge always stays and half way to hot, but if stuck in traffic van overheats, and if just idling it overheats. I tried to idle it to see if the fans turn on , but it overheats too quick.

Jul 25, 2019 at 6:17 PM

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JACOBANDNICKOLAS

AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR CONTRIBUTOR
110,190 POSTS

Welcome to 2CarPros.

Once the temperature gets to a certain point, regardless of how fast it gets there, the fans should turn on. Have you checked fuses and relays? Have you checked to see of the fans have a ground? Since this only happens when the vehicle is in stop and go traffic, there is a really good chance it is related to the cooling fans in some way.

I attached a picture of the fan's wiring schematic. I highlighted the things I need checked first. Here are a few links you may find helpful:

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

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

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-an-electrical-relay-and-wiring-control-circuit

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-voltmeter

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

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I attached picture 2 also, because it shows the relay in question. Please understand, a bad cooling fan motor can be the cause also. To check that, you would need to run power direct to the fan motor.

Let me know if this helps you or if you have other questions.

Take care,
Joe

Images (Click to enlarge)

Jul 25, 2019 at 7:27 PM