1996 Saturn SL2 Almost overheating

PEAKPROCESS

MEMBER
1996 SATURN SL2
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
123,000 MILES

1996 Saturn SL2 almost overheating

the gauge goes close to 2/3 not quite into red.

The cooling fan turns on at that point bringing it back down to half.

I noticed it usually stays under half until recently.

The heater has to stay on to keep the temp at the middle.

I had not replaced anything yet and I would like to get some opinions before I start spending money on parts not needed to replace.

I also noticed 2 lights on dash. Maybe low level and overheating? There was a thermometer w/water symbol I think.

the level in the reservoir was kind of low so I filled it but only a little.

When the car was warming up the fluid level did rise to the filler neck so there is pressure present. The upper and lower hoses got hot also.

2 Replies

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

Start by replacing the thermostat and see what happens.

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Tuesday, November 2nd, 2010 AT 12:40 AM

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,870 POSTS

As part of maintance you can replace the thermostat the fan doesn't come on till after half way on that car. So replacing the thermostat isn't going to make it always run below the half way mark it's normal for that car to get above the half way mark on the gauge. If it was overheating it would be going into the red unless you had a bad coolant temp sensor because that sensor run's the gauge the computer's temp and the cooling fan. If you want to feel a piece of mind of the car not running too hot then replace the coolant temp sensor at least you will know the gauge is reading correctly if it is running too hot. The sensor is located screwed into the head below where the upper radiator hose goes on the head. Make sure you get a brass tipped one the plastic tipped one's crack and leak into the connector also make sure the connector isn't corroded going to it. If it is then you will have to replace the connector too the sensor are only like 10.