'02 ZX2 Engine Cooling Issue

[justhere02]

Hello. I just registered on here cuz it seems like a good way to get feedback from people who know more about these cars than I do...

It first started with my check engine light coming on and I got it tested and they said it could either by my temp sensor or thermostat (the first two times they just reset the light and it was fine, but the third time I decided something should be done). I'm stationed overseas and they don't make the car here so in order to get a part I have to have it shipped from the states. So I ordered a thermostat and temperature sensor, but they ended up being the wrong ones, so had to send em back. Got another thermostat from AutoZone.com and changed it today, but now my cooling fan isn't coming on. Before my temp gauge in my car was staying on the cold side, but when I tested it after changing the thermostat, the gauge moved, but now the fan doesn't. I checked the fuse and it's good to go. So I ordered a temp switch and temp sensor and hopefully will get it in the next week or so...

I can't drive my car cuz it's not getting the cooling it needs and it will cause it to run hot and Lord knows I don't want to blow any gaskets.

Just wondering if anyone has any further info on this...maybe something I overlooked or something simple I could try till the other stuff comes in? Hopefully it will get fixed soon cuz I'm supposed to be shipping it back to the states in two weeks and it has to be drivable...

Please help!

[Markb873]

I'm guessing that you have a 160 degree thermostat installed instead of a 190. Just to be sure is the the needle "wandering" or is it running hot? Also does the upper passenger side of the radiator get warm? Is the heat blowing out of the dash normal or luke warm?

-Mark

[justhere02]

I'm not sure what degree thermostat. I know I ordered the high temp one from Autozone.com. The needle just went to normal and stayed there but the fan wasn't coming on and the engine was running hot. I'm not sure about the upper passenger side of the radiator...why just the one side? Also, the heat works fine...just like it's supposed to...it's just the fan won't come on.

What are you getting at though? Just curious.

[Johnny Mullet]

Does the fan kick on with the A/C? That will keep it cool till the parts come in.

[Markb873]

It's irrelivent now because I was assuming it wasn't warming up all the way but I was asking about the radiator because when the cooling system isn't warm enough, (reguardless of what the dash says) that part of the radiator will be significantly cooler then the rest. It's fairly even heating if it normal or overheating.

The radiator flows down then across. The heat builds to that corner but it won't get warm if it's dispersing the heat to quickly.
-Mark

[justhere02]

Thanks for the good info. Now I just have one more thing...does anyone know where the heck the coolant temperature sensing unit is located on these cars?! I've looked all over. It's not where it shows in my manual. Anybody? I'm trying to make sure I have the right part. I ordered it off www.autozone.com under '02 Ford Escort ZX2 coolant temperature sensor. Any suggestions here will be GREATLY appreciated! I spend a couple hours trying to locate it today and I'm about to have to tow it somewhere in order to try to fix it. Thanks in advance