HELP!!! We have NO Idea what to even call it!

have a 1996 Dodge Intrepid 3.3..BTW No problem history that I am aware of as the Owner since October with 175,000 miles

Just this evening after a 25 mile drive while waiting at the drive thru of a fast Food we noticed Antifreeze smell then of course the steam from an apparent over-heat.. the Heater Gage spiked at (H) and we pulled over allowing it to cool then added some more water.. *enough to return home which was only a mile* When we got home we noticed that the Windows would not roll up or down.. But all of the other Panel features such as Windshield wiper, Lights, radio and those worked.. When we tested the Fan and AC they did NOT work. The Engine Coolant fan was not working as well.. So it seems that there is a circuit problem perhaps? We are also not sure if there was a leak in the Coolant system..or if it was just the over heat and over flow because the Motor Fan was not working..
ANY thoughts, ideas... suggestions would be VERY helpful... I'm a single Mom and I really can't be without my car!!!
*We did check out all the Fuses inside and under the hood.. Unless a relay is out.. we can't see anything wrong with the fuse panal not to mention that those certain things are not on the same panal.. ;o(
Please help!!
~Shannon

have a 1996 Dodge Intrepid 3.3..BTW No problem history that I am aware of as the Owner since October with 175,000 miles

Just this evening after a 25 mile drive while waiting at the drive thru of a fast Food we noticed Antifreeze smell then of course the steam from an apparent over-heat.. the Heater Gage spiked at (H) and we pulled over allowing it to cool then added some more water.. *enough to return home which was only a mile* When we got home we noticed that the Windows would not roll up or down.. But all of the other Panel features such as Windshield wiper, Lights, radio and those worked.. When we tested the Fan and AC they did NOT work. The Engine Coolant fan was not working as well.. So it seems that there is a circuit problem perhaps? We are also not sure if there was a leak in the Coolant system..or if it was just the over heat and over flow because the Motor Fan was not working..
ANY thoughts, ideas... suggestions would be VERY helpful... I'm a single Mom and I really can't be without my car!!!
*We did check out all the Fuses inside and under the hood.. Unless a relay is out.. we can't see anything wrong with the fuse panal not to mention that those certain things are not on the same panal.. ;o(
Please help!!
~Shannon

Well Shannon, I own a 97 dodge intrepid and had the same problem on my 3.5 motor. After testing various circuits it turned out that coolant temperature sensor had gone bad, this sensor, when heated to a specified degree {between 192 and 212} completes a circuit in the engine which turns the radiator fan on, this part cost me around 32 dollars. this sensor looks like a small brass bolt that screws in aroung the thermostat housing. P.S make sure not to break the restraining clip when removing a installing the sensor wiring.
~James

Thanks so much! At least that will give me somewhere to start... and BTW my Boyfirend's brother mentioned the SAME thing yesterday before I even got your reply! So now I'm REALLY gonna get that checked out LOL I didn't put 2 and 2 together until I saw what you posted... it made more sense LOL..
Thanks so much!
~Shannon

make sure to also check fuses, there is one int the panel on the left side of the dashboard, there is also one in the power dist, box on the driver side strut tower. I am going through a problem now where everything is out on that circuit (AC EGR MTV Fans) should see my car, dash torn out driver fender the hood. There is also a harness on the fans that work in controling them also

Okay here is what we have discovered so far *FOR THE RADIATOR FAN*.. after changing out the Temperature sensor.. we discovered that it wasn't the cause.. while testing the power to and from relays and the Module.. *Mentions the module is something that NO ONE seems to have any idea about* but we found that it was ONLY a connection problem.. it just came loose! LOL Thank the Lord for that blessing..

As for the intermittent power outages to the windows, AC, and Air blower (inside fan).. I am totally at a loss for ideas.. there are a few possibilities.. either the harness got wet during the Overheat and water spraying every where..an electric harness is having a problem or my computer is having some BIG issues.. And I say the computer because.. there was a few times when the engine light DID come on and we had the codes checked it said something about the "4X4 checkout" It was giving us such crazy codes.. they made no sense.. and since I don't have a 4x4.. well you can just figure the obvious.. something somewhere is squirrelly.. I just don't know where.. Ohh I forgot to mention ... now my AC has stopped working all together.. I don't know if it just needs a refill of the coolant stuff or what.. but it isn't even kicking on.. *BOO HISS* and of course this weather is booting up to 90 degrees.. and I can't open my windows or have a blower blowing inside... it just plain SuCKS!
So.. if you figure out anything let me know and I'll do the same!!

Okay here is what we have discovered so far *FOR THE RADIATOR FAN*.. after changing out the Temperature sensor.. we discovered that it wasn't the cause.. while testing the power to and from relays and the Module.. *Mentions the module is something that NO ONE seems to have any idea about* but we found that it was ONLY a connection problem.. it just came loose! LOL Thank the Lord for that blessing..

As for the intermittent power outages to the windows, AC, and Air blower (inside fan).. I am totally at a loss for ideas.. there are a few possibilities.. either the harness got wet during the Overheat and water spraying every where..an electric harness is having a problem or my computer is having some BIG issues.. And I say the computer because.. there was a few times when the engine light DID come on and we had the codes checked it said something about the "4X4 checkout" It was giving us such crazy codes.. they made no sense.. and since I don't have a 4x4.. well you can just figure the obvious.. something somewhere is squirrelly.. I just don't know where.. Ohh I forgot to mention ... now my AC has stopped working all together.. I don't know if it just needs a refill of the coolant stuff or what.. but it isn't even kicking on.. *BOO HISS* and of course this weather is booting up to 90 degrees.. and I can't open my windows or have a blower blowing inside... it just plain SuCKS!
So.. if you figure out anything let me know and I'll do the same!!

One of the many problems on my wife's 99 3.2 was the ac. the left fan went out, blew the relay and fuse under the hood. I was told it is common on these cars for the left fan to fail, now occasionally I have to pull the heater fuse for a minute at the end of the dash to reset the ac/ heater circuit board