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Thread: Overheating at idle ONLY

  1. #1
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    Thumbs down Overheating at idle ONLY

    Just got the car. dont know anything about it really.

    car stays VERY cool and low and high speeds. alittle more than a quarter. i was really suprised.

    but if i leave it at idle for about 10, 15, 20min it overheats. today i was sitting in the parking lot of the bank waiting for my girlfriend, and it was at almost 3/4 just sitting for 10min.

    any help??
    huge transformation.



  2. #2
    2.0Si User cubert's Avatar
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    Re: Overheating at idle ONLY

    Is the radiator fan coming on when it sits there?

  3. #3
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    Re: Overheating at idle ONLY

    it might not be?? why though?? bad t-stat??
    huge transformation.

  4. #4
    3Geez Veteran A18A's Avatar
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    Re: Overheating at idle ONLY

    might be that little switch thingy in the bottom of the radiator, you can un plug it and put a paper clip or something to jump the 2 wires, and if the fan works, then it probably is that little switch

  5. #5
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    Re: Overheating at idle ONLY

    Quote Originally Posted by A18A View Post
    might be that little switch thingy in the bottom of the radiator, you can un plug it and put a paper clip or something to jump the 2 wires, and if the fan works, then it probably is that little switch
    hmm i'll have to look. never seen it
    huge transformation.

  6. #6
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    Re: Overheating at idle ONLY

    MY friend had a CRX that did the same thing he rigged up a toggle switch in the cab to manuely turn the radiator fan off or on that seemed to work fine but it could be the t-stat or coolant pump.

  7. #7


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    Re: Overheating at idle ONLY

    If you unplug the the fan switch at the bottom of the radiator and apply 12v to it, fans should come on, this will let you know if you need to replace it.

    If it is good, change the thermostat
    Phil

  8. #8
    3Geez Veteran Rendon LX-i's Avatar
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    Re: Overheating at idle ONLY

    Try to see if you fan is working correctly buy looping the plug that plugs into the fan switch "putting a wire in a U shape into the plug". this makes em ground out and turns em on. IF they dont then thats your problem. the switch is located on the bottom of the radiator its the only one next to the drain hole. NEXt i would change your thermostate. Half the time thats the mean cause of the overheating. When you get a new thermostate ask for a colder one instead of the normal stock one. Then maybe flushing your coolant and bleeding it. all these are the cause of Overheating

    Rendon
    Last edited by Rendon LX-i; 01-12-2009 at 06:39 PM.


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  9. #9
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    Re: Overheating at idle ONLY

    Most likely your either low on coolant, have air in the system, or your thermostat is leaking. All easy fixes, first I would check to make sure both your coolant resevoir and radiator are at the right levels.

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  10. #10
    LXi User headbanger's Avatar
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    Re: Overheating at idle ONLY

    I had the same problem on my honda today as a matter of fact I looped sensor wire and only 1 of my fans was running come to find out the primary fans fuse had blowed in the fuse box under hood.
    Quote Originally Posted by MessyHonda View Post
    dont get peoples hopes up.......we are broke...thats why we drive 80s cars
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  11. #11

    Dr_Snooz's Avatar
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    Re: Overheating at idle ONLY

    Quote Originally Posted by headbanger View Post
    I had the same problem on my honda today as a matter of fact I looped sensor wire and only 1 of my fans was running come to find out the primary fans fuse had blowed in the fuse box under hood.
    YES!!! Check your fuses!
    Dr_Snooz

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  12. #12
    3Geez Veteran MessyHonda's Avatar
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    Re: Overheating at idle ONLY

    yeah most of these guys got it.....my water pump went out so it would get hot at like stoplights but when i started driving it would go down.....mine needed a new t-stat....and if fixed the problem when i got a new water pump

    1989 Honda Accord LX-i
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