I have a 1995 Z28 convertible with 75,000+ miles. My car has been getting pretty hot as of late (runs at 3/4 mark and sometimes over that). Their is a little red light that keeps coming on (red light under the RPM number 6). OK I was told this meant my radiator was low so I checked it. Turns out the radiator is full yet the light keeps coming on. Once the light comes on the engine temperature just keeps going up. Today I came home just for like 5 minutes today and when I got back in my car it was over the 3/4 mark. My fans do not seem to be working either so I have a fan switch on the way. But still I cannot understand why does the radiator light keep coming on even though my radiator is full. Plus even if my fans are not working my car is still heating up to quick. Could anyone help me out here please?

Thanks,

Chris

 

2nd question, well if I purchased a 160 T-stat would it work like stock one if I didn't have anyway to program it? Or would it screw up and cause more problems?

 

The low coolant sensor (top right corner of radiator) are notorious for going bad. You can unplug it or replace it. You can put in a 160 thermostat without doing anything else. I did, no problems. Lift off the top radiator cover and peek in there with a flashlight and see if theres any debree in there.

 

Well this is interesting, I forgot to menition that the wires going to my air pump are melted. Maybe that has something to do with my fans not wanting to work? When I take the air pump fuse out the fans will only come on if the car is moving and the SES light stays on when the fuse is out.

 

First. A 160° thermostat, in theory, will only make your car run cooler if you cooling system is working properly and reprogramming the fans is needed to take full advantage of it.

You have a problem that needs fixed.


I am going to assume that you are sure the radiator is full and the system is fully bled to remove any air pockets. Second if I assume you are getting up to the 3/4 mark crusing down the highway at 70 mph. You need to look for trash, like plastic sacks, stuck on your radiator. Or your radiator could be clogged and simply replacing it fixes everything (I had to do this).

 

Actually it only gets that hot during in town driving.

 

so then the fans not coming on is the problem. the fans are not option put the fuse in when i can items. fix your melted wires and get the fans running correctly before you warp a head or two from running so hot. Plus if you are running the car for short peroids of time you are going from extreme hot to cold, you are really upping the chances of warping.