Temp sensor??

[vettegirl]

Last weekend in Daytona, while driving top-down and no a/c, the car overheated. It seems the cooling fan only comes on for 3-4 seconds, then cuts off. Also, sometimes it comes on at 194, sometines 198 - no real pattern. I have no codes showing, but am assuming there is a bad temperature sensor or something along those lines? Has anyone else had this problem?

Lauren

 

[c4c5specialist]

Hi there,
I would say no, because if you truly overheated, you may have a 'engine overheated' message.
I would suggest maybe a sticking relay for the cooling fans.
Now, I would suggest checking the relays in the fuse center. They are labeled.
What temperatures were displayed when you overheated???
Allthebest, c4c5

 

[vettegirl]

Hi c4c5!

It only got up to 220, but it was steaming and the fluid boiled over out of the resevior. There is definitely no code, I checked again. We had to put water in the radiator to come home, but the temp never rose above 185 with the a/c on. Had the radiator flushed and put proper fluid back in - still no temperature problem but I have kept the a/c on when the top is down (with my mother's voice screaming in my head the whole time "Are you trying to air condition the whole neighborhood???"). I would like to fix it properly so I can cruise without Mom's voice!:crazy :crazy

Thanks!!
Lauren

 

[hawaii-5-lo]

hey Lauren,
just throwing out suggestions,when was the last time you cleaned the radiator and a/c condensor fins.i clean mine once a month.maybe the fan kicks on(no a/c)but by the time enough air flows threw the condensor and radiator,the car is overheating,like c4/c5 said should be a code or message.i dont think the t-stat is sticking because the water is actually boiling(you saw the steam genie).i dont think the water would boil if the t-stat was not letting it flow into the motor.are you sure you saw the fan off when the temps were high?
c4/c5 specialist,forgive me for jumping in on the thread.im at work with some downtime.is it true that the c5 has a 'camel mode'.cutting out cylinders if temps get really high?post your results please Lauren,thanks,Todd.

 

[vettegirl]

Good morning Todd!

I just bought the car in April, so as far as I know the fins have never been cleaned - I'll have to check the condition.

The fan was definitely off with the temp high unless I turned on the a/c. We also tested it the other night with the top down and a/c off so we could hear the fan come on. That's when it was coming on at 194, then 198, then 194, etc...and only staying on for a few seconds.

Don't apologize for jumping in, I appreciate all input! Thanks for your suggestions...have a good day at work!

Lauren

 

[c4c5specialist]

Hi there,
5-lo, yes, the camel mode will selectively shut down cylinders to keep the engine cool, in the event of loss of coolant.
As for your concern, Vettegirl, the first thing I would do, is to replace the coolant surge tank cap.
Now, you would have to hit 240 or better for the cap to appropriately vent pressures. I would suggest that you take a look at the digital temperature readout, when you see the steam.
This sensor, if faulty, would create incorrect readings.
I would confirm this with a thermometer inside the surge tank, with the car idling, and see how far off it is.
Please keep us posted, c4c5

 

[vettegirl]

Thanks c4c5!

We were talking about this last night - it's really confusing that it overheated at such a low temp and never did again. I had an oil change the day before we went to Daytona, and I wonder if they checked the fluid and didn't replace the cap properly? My husband says there is a "click" when you have it on all the way, and he doesn't remember that when taking the cap off in Daytona. Possibility???

Lauren

 

[Blade]

You seem to be having a lot of problems with your Vette. Hope it is still under warranty. I'm thinking some type of overall electrical problem. These things are computers now days, hopefully the dealership can hookup to it and find out what is causing all your problems.

Good Luck.

I traded my 98 Pewter Coupe in on the 2003 Anniversary Edition. Got more complements on that car than the 50th.