both my fans are not working and gets hot

[ryanbackfromiraq]

i just bought this car from a buddy when i got back from iraq i got for $50...ya thats right 50 and its a 96 grand prix se. well i was having a coolant problem at first i actually saw the coolant leaking so i replaced the water pump (to easy) it stopped...soon after it started over heating when i was in stop and go while im driving its good but when im in the city stopping and going its over heats its doesnt get to hot but it goes over half...the fans dont come on and its doesnt go in the red but it gets higher then it should...now im getting coolant through my hoses cause i i felt them and there hot and full im not loosing water or coolant and the resivoir stays where it should...but i think i might be a thermostat? and for the fans maybe a fuse? any test i could do? i took a light tester and check for power at the fuse box and it lit up so i know theres power there so i think it may be a fuse but both of them going out? seems kinda odd maybe a relay? dont know... what do u guys think? and if so where is that darn thing at? appreciate your help.

Edit: i the fan comes on when i turn on the heater or ac so it cant be a fuse...nobody has any answers? im gonna try to replace the thermostat today!

[JoeJoe231455]

Replacing the thermostat might cure your problem. Did you top off the coolant reservior under the hood and bleed the cooling system of air after changing that water pump? If not, that may be the problem. You have to get all the air out of the cooling system or it creates hot pockets inside the engine.

[ryanbackfromiraq]

alright ya i replaced the water pump its was really simple...i have the thermostat on order...so i will try that...where is it you know? and how do i bleed the system wheres the valve? its a 96 i got the book on order but im in germany so i my resources are limited...any suggesions?

[JoeJoe231455]

actually it probably isn't the thermostat. I missed the part in your write up that said you felt coolant going through the lines. A thermostat not opening wouldnt let any coolant through.

The bleeder valve is usually on the thermostat housing. It is like a nut, or a screw on top. To bleed it, you do the following.

Make sure the coolant reservior is topped off with coolant (not the radiator, the reservior)
Warm up the engine to operating temperature.
Turn the valve on top of the thermostat housing slowly. Leave this valve open until coolant starts to trickle out. At this point you should have removed the air from the system. To be safe you can rev the engine a few times and repeat the process. If coolant comes out of the valve right away there is no more air.

Make sure your careful doing this. Use a heavy rag to protect your hands from the hot coolant and to prevent it from making a mess of you engine bay.

Hope that helps...

[ryanbackfromiraq]

ya well if its stuck closed it would still flow but when it gets to that certain temp i think 180 it wouldnt open (thermostat) cause a over heat...also obviously its not stuck open cause then the car woldnt get hot...i dont know i will try the bleeder and change the thermostat just for shits and giggle cause its only like 8 dollars or somthing...my dad always told me when troubleshooting relace the cheapest thing first...so ill give that a shot and the bleeder cause i think i found where the thermo is located...its below the aircleaner hose...and the throttle cable and i think i found the coolant sensor also...so ill see what those thing do...ill let u know if it works i get the part today and will fix tomorrow cause i have 24hrs duty today (sucks) so i have tomorrow off

[jerry1121]

Hi all,
I wanna replace the coolant reservior for my 99 ford taurus. How hard to do it?
Thanks

[CarSuperfreak]

This is the grand prix forum, so i dont know exactly.....but it should jsut be a plastic bottle with a few screws and hoses. shouldn't atke any more than 15 or 20 mins i woulndt think

[kilroypr]

Jerry, what Carsuper is telling you is accurate. But would be better if you ask on the Ford Taurus threads.