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1996 Chevy Cavalier

Tiny
PROUDMOMMA82
  • MEMBER
  • 1996 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
1996 Chevy Cavalier

I just got a 1996 cavalier "as is" and within a few minutes of driving the temp gauge goes to the 260 mark which is the highest. Also the heather will only work if its full blast. What could be the issues here?
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Friday, March 20th, 2009 AT 8:00 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • MECHANIC
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First need to inspect coolant level. If OK, remove and test thermostat to ensure it is opening properly. Is the heater not blowing at all other than on HIGH or is it just blowing cool air?

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Friday, March 20th, 2009 AT 10:04 PM
Tiny
PROUDMOMMA82
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No the heat does work but it only works on high. And how do I test the coolant level? And if thats good what is involved with removing the thermonstant and checking it?
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Friday, March 20th, 2009 AT 10:21 PM
Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
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Okay. Let me know how the coolant level and thermostat are. The heater only working on high is a symptom of a faulty blower motor resistor pack. For precautionary measures check your blower relay first. The resistor has 4 settings and settings 1 - 3 have variable resistances for each wire of that setting, setting 4 has NO resistance therefore even when the resistor pack fails the HIGH setting will still work but the other settings will not.

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Friday, March 20th, 2009 AT 10:25 PM
Tiny
PROUDMOMMA82
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Ok on the temp gauge it goes 100 then 195 is halfway then 260 is in the danger zone and within a few minutes of driving it goes from 100 to above 195 then right on 260 and at that point the check gauge light will come on. As for the thermostat it is 4 settings and only the 4th works and I have noticed when you use heat the car automatically goes high on the temp.
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Friday, March 20th, 2009 AT 10:32 PM
Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
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The thermostat is a component located in the thermostat housing on the engine block, where upper radiator hose attaches to engine. This component has a valve which opens and closes at appropriate coolant temperatures to allow coolant to flow through the engine and keep it cooled. This is the component that needs to be tested. If it is sticking closed then it will not allow coolant to flow through the engine which will cause overheating.
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Friday, March 20th, 2009 AT 10:35 PM
Tiny
PROUDMOMMA82
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Ok so how would I fix the heater so I dont have to have it on full blast all the time? And if the thermostat is the problem is that a cheap repair? And if it is not what else could it be?
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Friday, March 20th, 2009 AT 10:38 PM
Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
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First try replacing the heater blower relay. If that doesn't fix it then the blower motor resistor pack is most likely faulty and needs replaced. The thermostat is the cheapest part to replace that would cause this issue, assuming that you don't just need to add coolant.
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Friday, March 20th, 2009 AT 11:26 PM

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