94 Camry Overheating HELP PLEASE!!!

[tarzan429]

Hello all,

I've come here for advice. Today my camry started overheating. Upon inspection I see coolant boiling over from my coolant resivor. I visibly see no coolant leak. I have to wait 15 minutes to let the engine cool down and then drive 3 miles and then cool down again. So it took me 1 and 1/2 hour for me to get home today even tho I live 30mins away. When I got home I opened up the radiator cap and coolant gushed everywhere. The coolant color is brown, which I know is not good. So I added new coolant in. I'm gonna see tomorrow morning if it still overheats with the new coolant.

Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks all.

[tarzan429]

Also, I noticed both of my radiator fans are not automatically turning on. That is until I unplug the plug from the fuse box. Thanks again.

[RIP]

Before this is over you need to buy a kit and backflush the system. Wouldn't hurt to change the thermostat and rad cap while you're at it.

Can you clarify which connector you are disconnecting?

It appears the fans not coming on is the reason for your overheat, that and the degraded coolant. Since you can make the fans turn on I'll say the fan motors are good. I would check the coolant temp switch at the bottom of the radiator with an ohmeter. This switch is what determines when the fans come on. With the engine hot you should not have continuity across the switch contacts. If you do, replace the switch. If the temp switch is good you may have a bad relay. You can check the system using this schematic: (from Camry Factory Manuals thread at the top of the forum)http://www.turboninjas.com/camry/camry94wiring.pdf Page 242

[tarzan429]

I just disconnected one plug for the right fan and the fans came back on. It is the one on the left since there are 2 plugs. I was just messing around to see and once it was disconnected, both fans turned on. Once I realized this, I left the fans on but it still overheated when driven, as indicated on the temp gauge. Thanks for your reply.

[tarzan429]

Based on the pdf repair manual I got from here, I disconnected the engine coolant temp. switch plug. That is what made the fans turn on. So I am assuming that I have a faulting coolant tempurature switch???

[tarzan429]

Update,

This morning I turned on the a/c to see if the fans turned on, and it did. I also ran it for 3 minutes because I didn't have time cuz I had to get to work. It did not overheat but I don't think there was enough time to. I've got answers from other forums saying its either the thermostat or the engine coolant tempurature switch. Once I get home, I will drive it to see if it overheats. Thanks RIP for replying.

[tarzan429]

Update:

It now overheats quickly if I turn on the A/C. When I turn on the A/C, I hear a clicking noise coming from the passenger side front wheel well. I know this is where the waterpump is located. I am now thinking that I have a bad waterpump. Comment or thoughts anyone? Thanks again.

[tarzan429]

Fixed by the shop. It was a leaking radiator. Total cost, $780. Someone shoot me.

[RIP]

Glad to hear it's fixed but, OUCH!! Paid $265 four years ago on my 94. I sure hope they changed more than just the radiator. For that money they should have changed the whole system and bought your family a steak dinner.

[rprough]

Holy Moly! Where the side tanks gold plated or something?

[tarzan429]

LOL. They did change all the hoses too. This was done at AAA automark. Idk, what could I do? I couldn't drive to to another shop.

[rprough]

At least it is fixed