1994 Ford Tempo - Overheating

1994 FORD TEMPO
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SQUISHY
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
When the car is idling it tends to get hot, not to the point of overheating but almost redlining. When the car is running it goes back to normal. Any suggestions as to what the problem is?

Someone thought it could be the thermastat and someone else the Waterpump motor - any other ideas and how difficult it would be to repair myself.

Thanks

Squishy
Jul 20, 2006 at 6:52 PM
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TAURUSWHEEL
  • CAR REPAIR CONTRIBUTOR
  • 718 POSTS
Is the fan kicking on to cool the engine?? how about in heavy traffic, heat up??
Jul 21, 2006 at 7:03 AM
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MIKEYBDMAN
  • CAR REPAIR CONTRIBUTOR
  • 623 POSTS
Sounds to me like TarusWheel is correct. It does not have the symptoms of a bad water pump, and unless the thermostat is sticking partially open, it really doesnt sound like that either.
I would check to see if your cooling fan is running when it starts to overheat.

The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) monitors coolant temperature, vehicle speed, and air conditioning status to determine if cooling fan operation is required.

When the PCM determines a need for cooling fan operation, it sends a signal to the Constant Control Relay Module (CCRM) to run the fan at the required speed.
Jul 21, 2006 at 3:37 PM
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