Hi. I have a 96 Z28. Sometimes my engine gets really hot. Normaly it runs around 180. But when I sit for a few minutes the heat continualy creeps up. I have a Manual fan switch hooked up which work great so I know the fan motors work. Also when I turn the ac on they kick on. So what is the problem?I replaced all the realays and a few months ago got a brand new water pump. Is it the thermostat or a sensor??? I'm frusturated.....

 

Low fan speed comes on at 226 degrees. The high speed kicks in at 235. Remember that the gauge uses one sensor and the PCM uses another.

 

Think about it. When you stop, there is no air flow across the radiator. The temp is going to creep up. Normal for any car with electric fans.

 

The fans are programmed to come on when the A/C is turned on.

 

Hey man i had the same problem when i was at stop lights and sometimes it would happen and sometimes it would not. I just got out and listened for a second and heard some noises from my water pump. turns out the thermostat went bad and only after about three months after buying it from summit racing. So it could be your thermostat not opening and closing properly or deposits in your radiator. Because truthfully the first time i changed my distributor i forgot to plug the two fans back up and let me tell you after about two minutes of driving without them even while i was moving the car completely overheated and steam was everywhere so you would know it quickly if it were your fans.

 

if your cooling fans have to kick on with no ac on, while you are moving 5 mph or faster your cooling system is suspect.

 

So your saying that i may just be crazy and a newb and while sitting idle it the engine can get close to red before fans turn on. and there is nothing to worry about when it gets that hot? thanks for the posts guys. it helped alot

 

i had the same question when i first got my car. yes stock the fans don't kick on till it looks like its about to start running hot

 

correct.

 

No...I'm not saying that. What I told you was the temperature that the fans will come on. If the fans come on at the temperature mentioned according to the gauge, all is well. But if the gauge says something else, there are 3 distinct points to be made. Do the fans eventually come on by themselves? You didn't mention. And if you scan it to find out what temperature the PCM sees, at what temperature do they come on? The last point is, what temperature does the gauge show when the fans do eventually come on?