running hot

[fwagner]

Help me please my car if i let idle for minute runs very hot all the hoses are fine does anyone have a idea of what it could be or where i can find a book to try to repair it myself please help anything would be great

[public]

Bad fan motor/relay or thermostat.

[fwagner]

Ok now i know im looking stupid but what is the relay and where is it. How can i locate it and how do i fix it is this gonna be expensive

[public]

First, determine what is bad. Does the fan come on? If so then the motor and relay are okay. At what temp does the fan come on? if it is too high then you could have a bad temp sensor. The relay is cheap. Follow the wires from the fan motor, they go to the relay. Last one I bought was $11 at AutoZone. Good Luck.

[TunerAdept]

could also be the water pump

[fwagner]

Originally Posted by fwagner

Ok now i know im looking stupid but what is the relay and where is it. How can i locate it and how do i fix it is this gonna be expensive

Ok well i cant figure out where the relay is its still running warm and the fan and pump are fine is there anything else it can be

[Austin8214]

you need to check the thermastat then. If the hose coming off the top of your Rad is not getting hot then your T-stat is stuck closed. From the sounds of it this is your problem. I would also suggest that you get a Haynes or Ciltons manule for your car. It will help you find alot of different things on your car.

[BDD2003]

Originally Posted by fwagner

Ok well i cant figure out where the relay is its still running warm and the fan and pump are fine is there anything else it can be

I have this problem with my Cav too. I drive an 04 now and it still does it when I leave it idle for a long period of time. I have never been able to figure it out but it will go back to normal after driving again. When it was happening to my 98, the thermostat had to be changed.

[amac209]

fan motors in these things go bad all the time. the fuse and relay are located in the power distibution center, its the big fuse block on the left fender. there should be a 40 amp maxi fuse, if it is blown chances are the fan motor is bad. if the fan is working check for blockage of the ratiator(leaves, mud etc.) if that looks fine there might be a problem with the thermostat or water pump as mentioned above or blockage in the cooling system. another cause of overheating is a blown head gasket/ cracked head, a shop can test for this with a chemical test of the coolant. good luck!!

[4dr92cavi4cyl]

You never said what car you have, also if the miles are high the radiator could be clogged, I know mine is, damnit.

[fwagner]

1998 cavalier sedan need help