Overheating while Idling?

[Thenderson2011]

If I sit at idle for a little bit, it'll over heat. If I drive off, it'll almost immediately cool off. Also, when I turn the car off, the fan will kick on, but if I turn it on, the fan turns off? Could that be part of the problem? Any help would be great, thanks!

[Jarrett]

Have you checked the level of coolant in your system and bled it? That's the first thing anyone is going to want to know. Obviously, airflow across your radiator is what's cooling off the coolant when you're driving.

Also, when was the last time the thermostat or water pump was replaced?

[Thenderson2011]

I put coolant in it and bled it when i replaced the thermostat about 2 weeks ago. I think i filled it with enough coolant. I do not know about the water pump, though.

[wildBill83]

Does your radiator fan work? You said it works when the car is off, but nothing about when it is on..

But like Jarrett said, air in the line, faulty pump, or defective thermostat. Be sure and burp all of the air out of the heater core by turning the heater on full blast while burping the air from the lines.

Are your radiator fins clogged or damaged? When was the last time you flushed it?

[Leung]

I bet he got a faulty thermostat or he didn't put enough coolant in.

[Jarrett]

Or the thermostat could be in backwards.

[oyajicool]

It seems like the fan thermo switch is not working.

[Vex]

Brother had the same problem, except with his CD5. Turns out his fans weren't kicking on. So when he drives and air comes through the front of his car, temps go down.

[oyajicool]

But the OP's fan is coming on with ignition off. Fan is in working order but not when needed due to faulty thermal switch.

[Thenderson2011]

I think the fan works while running, I'll have to check. Where is the thermal switch located? I know when I replaced the tstat there was a plug connected to the housing and that plug broke off, is that it? Although this was happening before that happened. I dont think the tstat is in backwards, I checked and it only fits one way. I will burp it later today when I get out of class. And i don't think the radiator fins are bent but I will have to check. I haven't flushed the radiator, but have some stuff to flush it, just haven't had a chance yet, only had the car about 3 weeks.

[oyajicool]

Thermo switch is on the thermostat housing.　It closes circuit above 90*C or 194*F. Make sure there's incoming battery voltage to blue wire when ignition switch is in on position.

[LordXaero]

What's the update on this?

I'm having the same exact problem. My fans used to cut on when my car would idle for a bit. I know this cause my engine would bog down alittle bit when the fans cut on, and I could feel the heat coming from the engine bay when I have my arm out the window.

Now, my fans don't cut on at all. Not even when I turn my A/C switch on. (although I don't have A/C at the moment; hole in AC line)

[oni_cb7]

He never said if he had AC and if BOTH fans turned on when the car was off. I've had one fan working and this caused the same overheating problem. If you have AC, then start the car and turn on the AC, both fans should turn on. However, I might be wrong about this being his problem.

[evil_demon_01]

What's the update on this?

I'm having the same exact problem. My fans used to cut on when my car would idle for a bit. I know this cause my engine would bog down alittle bit when the fans cut on, and I could feel the heat coming from the engine bay when I have my arm out the window.

Now, my fans don't cut on at all. Not even when I turn my A/C switch on. (although I don't have A/C at the moment; hole in AC line)

If the fans work with the car off but not on, then either the thermoswitch/s are faulty, or the fan control relay.

If the fans don't turn on with the A/C - Have you checked the fuses, and the motors?

[Accord problems]

possible blown head gasket . do you go through a lot of coolant ? does white smoke ( steam) always come out of your exhaust ? doe's the exhaust smell like antifreeze ? do you have milky oil ? when you pop the cap to the rad doe's it have a silky brown substance ?