YACT: CAR TROUBLE......Temperature.

[krunchykrome]

1993 Toyota Celica, 137K miles. When I drive the car is perfect, the temperature gauge stays right in the middle where it should be. But, when I slow down, or especially when I stop, the temperature increases. Earlier today, I was driving, and I made a complete stop at a couple different lights for maybe 20-30 seconds, and before I started driving again, the temperature was all the way up completely. But, as I start driving again, it goes back to normal. What is this? Whats the problem? What do I need to do to fix it?
Thanx

 

[Heisenberg]

Cooling fan isn't working I would guess. To check, let the car idle until it starts to get too hot. The fan should kick on then to bring the temp back down. If it doesn't, then there's a problem in the radiator fan circuit somewhere.

 

[Eli]

DO NOT let the needle get up to the H if at all possible. You have already overheated at that point and are damaging your engine.

Check your electric cooling fan for operation. It does seem strange that it would rise so fast. Check your whole coolant system out while you're at it.

My girlfriends mom had an '83 Camry where the fan relay was broken. Instead of spend money on the 225k mile POS, we just mounted a switch in the cabin and wired the fan directly to the battery. It wasn't ever a big deal unless she was actually stuck in traffic.

Just had to remember to turn it off when you got out of the car.. worked great though.

I'd recomment changing your oil a little sooner than usual if you've overheated, especially more than once.

 

[krunchykrome]

If the cooling fan isnt working, why does the temperature return to normal after I start driving again?

 

[BullyCanadian]

Originally posted by: krunchykrome
If the cooling fan isnt working, why does the temperature return to normal after I start driving again?

Because the air is circulation through the fins of the radiator when the car is driving thus coooling it
(i believe this is correct someone please correct me if i'm wrong)

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: krunchykrome
If the cooling fan isnt working, why does the temperature return to normal after I start driving again?

Err.. Because you are moving forward?

The cooling fan is only meant to cool the radiator down when you are not moving. Otherwise, the foward motion of the car does the job.

That's kinda the whole point of mounting the radiator in a gaping hole in the front of your car.. lol