Temp Gauge 3/4 when idling >10 mins

[BigDaddySmooth]

Fellas,
My '96 Ti w/201K has, on 3 occasions while in slow-go traffic, gone danger close to red zone. The needle would return to the right-of-center after turning heat to HIGH. Even with normal driving the needle sits about 1/4 of the way to the right past the midline. The water pump/thermostat are 75k miles old and the electric puller fan is original. Could the temp go up b/c the fan failed and how can I tell if it fail? Thanks.

[bazar01]

If you still have the original radiator fan, most likely that is your problem.

I also have a 96 so we basically have the same model year. I had a few close to overheating episodes even after replacing all cooling hoses and radiator.

First episode: GA summer, while idling in driveway, it will have a tendency to go past halfway on the temp gauge. I would then immediately turn ON the AC and the fan will run in high speed. If the AC is off, the fan never turned ON while idling. Came to find out, the radiator fan slow speed resistor was shot (open). So I did not have any slow speed fan operation. I removed the resistor and wired both connections to run just in high speed. Problem fixed.

Second episode: With the fan wired just to run in high speed, it still almost overheated n stop and go traffic. So I pulled over and found the fan was not turning ON. Turned the AC ON and still will not turn ON. Wiggled the fan connector and the fan turned ON. Pulled the connector apart and tried to crimp the female end to get a tighter connection. Problem fixed.

I bought a generic male and female connectors and replaced the original one.

After 200k miles, I decided to buy a new radiator fan to have peace of mind.

It is now 225k miles and still running strong.

Check your radiator fan operation while idling in the driveway.

[BigDaddySmooth]

The radiator fan is original and it will run w/the A/C on but not at idle. My suspicion is the low-speed is in failure mode. I'll probably opt for a new one.

[lazoh]

Originally Posted by BigDaddySmooth

The radiator fan is original and it will run w/the A/C on but not at idle. My suspicion is the low-speed is in failure mode. I'll probably opt for a new one.

Definately your fan!!

[MrMajicCity]

I got a new fan, bled system And put a new rad sensor in and it works..finally

[lazoh]

Originally Posted by MrMajicCity

I got a new fan, bled system And put a new rad sensor in and it works..finally

Awesome!!!