Engine overheated tonight

[2.8 Bird]

I was driving through a busy traffic and I noticed my temp went to 210 and as I continued through the stop and go traffic it went to 230 and then 250 and it got close to the max reading which was 260. Yes, I smelled coolant.

Now my 98 bird has only 32k mileage and I took the supercharger out awhile back so I could use the AC more. And I have a 160 stat on and I have it in there since 2007. I don't abuse this car at all. I drive it like an old man, which I am actually. So it can't be LIM gasket going out. All the hoses look good and radiator is full. Coolant elbows have been changed.

I just have a feeling that my fan didn't turn on. Is there a way to test that. Perhaps you guys can throw me some more ideas.

[ssms5411]

Turn the A/C on, and see if the fans kick on. Should come on low at least , for high I don't know, I use my fan switch to test mine or Hptuners.

[LETZRIDE]

Have you tried jumping the relays?

I wonder if the coolant you smelt was overflow?

[2.8 Bird]

Turn the A/C on, and see if the fans kick on. Should come on low at least , for high I don't know, I use my fan switch to test mine or Hptuners.

Yes, it turns on for the AC. I wish I have hptuner or even hypertech that can help me set the fan to turn on at a certain temp. I read somewhere that the 160 stat can also mess up the fan settings, but I thought that for 2000 and up.

How do I set it up for a fan switch. The previous owner of the fiero I used to own did that.

[2.8 Bird]

Have you tried jumping the relays?

I wonder if the coolant you smelt was overflow?

Not sure if it was overflow.

how do I jump those relays. I think that there are 3 relays to this.

tomorrow I'll check it out and see if the temp rises fast at idling. I've already ordered the stat from intense racing.

[LETZRIDE]

This is the wiring diagram for the fan relays: http://shbox.com/1/fan_schematic_1995.jpg

Essentially the relay is a switch. You have to close the switch to bypass it. I will need to take a look under my hood if I get a chance tommorrow and pull my relays to be able to tell you exactly how to do it. When I did it I just took a wire and pushed it in two ports where I had removed the relay to close the circuit.

You could try testing the relay itself by pulling it and jumping power to it from the battery. You will here it snap closed when you apply power to it. This will tell you if you have a bad relay. The diagram for the relays is located on the side of each relay

[FirebirdGT]

Fans relays "close" through grounding via the PCM.

[2.8 Bird]

Thanks guys. I didn't get a chance to check it out today. I got too busy. Hopefully tomorrow.

I would really appreciate it Mike.

[2.8 Bird]

Well, I looked at it again. The fans do come on when I turn on the AC. So that means no problem on the low end and I guess relay #1 is good then.

it took about 13 mins for for the temp to reach 210*. The fans did not turn on. I gave it a couple more mins and it reached 215 and still no fans. So I guess this is definitely my problem.

I'm going to pepboys and see if I could rent their ohm meter and play around with those relays. First time I've done this.

[ssms5411]

Stock fan settings is like 220 temp for low and 230-235 for high, so I would let it warm up some more.

[LETZRIDE]

Well, I looked at it again. The fans do come on when I turn on the AC. So that means no problem on the low end and I guess relay #1 is good then.

it took about 13 mins for for the temp to reach 210*. The fans did not turn on. I gave it a couple more mins and it reached 215 and still no fans. So I guess this is definitely my problem.

I'm going to pepboys and see if I could rent their ohm meter and play around with those relays. First time I've done this.

So the fans came on with the relays in or with the terminal jumped?

If the relays were installed and it worked than your culprit is not likely the relays.

I would be looking for proper coolant level, making sure the system was bled properly, looking at possible belt slip that may cause the wp not to work as it should? A stuck or faulty thermostat?

Have all of those been ruled out?

[2.8 Bird]

Stock fan settings is like 220 temp for low and 230-235 for high, so I would let it warm up some more.

I didn't know those were the settings. Thanks Steve.

[2.8 Bird]

Yes, Mike, I'm going to do the most obvious ones first. It's been a long time since I've top off my coolant and replaced the stat. I'll also replace the CTS.

I'll try and see about jumping those terminals if these don't work.

[ssms5411]

I didn't know those were the settings. Thanks Steve.

No problem, yeah their pretty high, I can get the exact temperature if you want it, just need to grab my laptop and look at a stock hptuners file.

[ssms5411]

Looked it up 221 for low and 230 for high.