I had to replace my Radiator a week ago, because the plastic top of the radiator cracked for the 3rd time. It was hot, and I was driving long distance at highway speed.
Twice before I had good luck with fixing the crack using melted cable ties. I attempted to fix this way a 3rd time, but gave up and bought a new aftermarket radiator. Good thing too because the original radiator looked pretty bad when I pulled it out.
I had a lot of trouble getting the fans installed behind the new radiator. I did a lot of wiggling of the radiator. Finally I cut off the useless part of the battery tray to make more room.
Things were fine for a few days around town, but 1st time on the highway the Tranny cooling line blew off. Had it towed home, and I re-attached the hose. Topped off the tranny fluid, and took it for a very short test drive. The car really overheated, and the tranny was not happy. Then I realized I had put the tranny fluid in the engine oil dipstick (oops).
Today I put 5-6 qts of fluid in the correct hole. Car runs in 1st and reverse only. As I was backing into my driveway, the car seriously boiled over with a fountain of coolant coming out of the reservoir. Also, the temperature gauge at the maximum and the ding ding alarm went off. Because the hood was up at the time, I realized the fans were not running. If I turn on the A/C, the fans will run.
OK, I may have a cooked tranny, which is a separate issue. What I really want to know:
1) If the rad fans work when the A/C is on, then the solid state fan relay must be OK, right?
2) If the Temperature gauge shows max, and the overheating warning alarm is sounding away, then the temperature sensor must be working, right ?
What am I missing here?