Engine Cooling problem
1998 Buick Lesabre 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 200000 miles

Recently my Buick has started overheating while stopped at long lights or idling in neutral. When this happens, I do not hear any fans running to cool the engine. The problem is intermittent, because I do hear the fans turn on at other times and the engine heat warning light does not come on. I have visually verified that the fans are working at times. I have also run the car in neutral and watched as the heat lamp came on without any fans blowing.

I also have intermittent use of the Low, Med1, and Med2 blower speeds for the climate system.

The High blower speed doesn't work at all.

Now, I know that all of these fan systems work under separate relays. In fact I have changed the high speed blower relay previously to good effect.

What bothers me is that, in this instance, all three of the symptoms appeared at once. I suspect that there may be an underlying cause, maybe some part gone bad that affects all three relays/fans.

Do you have any suggestions for parts to test for failures, before I start spending big bucks on a multi-sytem wild goose chase.

Hi:

I really don't feel that the fan problems are related. The engine cooling fans should, however, run with the AC on. If I had to guess of where to look, I would focus on the temp sending unit for the fans. It is the unit that turns the fans on at a specific temp.

As far as the interior fan, either the switch or blower motor resistor sounds bad.

I hope this helps you. If not, email me with other questions.

Joe