Fan not kicking on which then makes car overheat

KELLY0203

MEMBER
2002 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
2.4L
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
79,000 MILES

But then I turn the a.C on then the fan kicks on and cools it down My other car did this that's why I knew what to do when it did do this. I changed the fan, which worked for a month w/o overheating. But I dont make it far anymore b4 the antifreeze gets so hot cause the fan not turning on that it comes out of the over flow. I turn the a, c so the fan kicks on which makes the temp go down. Some1 said it may be the etc or ect, forgot the abbrev they used. Please help, I need my car running. I know more than a typical woman about cars but not when they get this deep. Thanks to all for ur help. Kelly

7 Replies

CATAFINA

MECHANIC
168 POSTS

Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor-

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Saturday, October 18th, 2014 AT 12:58 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,133 POSTS

Kelly:
The ECT is the engine coolant temp sensor. Yes, that could be a problem. Also, the problem could be a fan relay or a bad connection. Check the wiring to the sensor first to make sure it is clean, tight, and not damaged. If it looks good, then you need to check if there is power to it. If there is, replace the sensor. If there is no power, you need to then check the fan relay. What I do is just identify another known good relay with the same part number and switch them to see if that makes it work.

Do this and let me know what you find

Joe

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Saturday, October 18th, 2014 AT 5:23 PM

KELLY0203

MEMBER
4 POSTS

Hi Joe, thank u for ur feed back but I replaced the fan and now that its cold out the fan not really needed. Its in the summer it does this. I bought this car at the end of last summer and I only dealt w/ it 4 a month til winter, but I use 2 turn on the a.C and it was fine. I dont drive much at all. I hate this way of communicating cuz I cant really say in words what im trying to. Im in philly between center city and northeast. Need 2 find a mechanic but it so hard 2 find a good 1 thats specially willing 2 work with u. This is off subject but im in a jam kinda and I DEFINITLY need my car just in case 4 other purposes. Just lost my job, im 33 and just got divorced not long ago and, Was left with just this car, aswell my ex taking MY savings of more than 10,000. Yeah I DEFINITLY went WAY off subject. I just really need some 1 that I can trust with helping me diagnose my 2002 chevy cavalier 2.5 sport 4 cyl. Its driving me nuts, all this. But id rather find out whats wrong with my car b4 next summer or before it goes, God forrbid. Thanks Joe for ur input and knowlege on cars. If u have nothing thanks anyhow.
Kelly

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Tuesday, November 18th, 2014 AT 2:49 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,133 POSTS

Kelly:
I'm sorry to hear you are having so much bad luck. I'm at the other end of the state near Pittsburgh. I hate to say it, but I don't know anyone in your area. What I can offer is to help guide you. If you take the vehicle to a mechanic you don't know, ask them to tell you what needs done before any work is actually completed. Tell me what they say and I can try to guide you one way or the other. Most likely, I would be able to tell you if someone is taking advantage of you. Would that help?

Joe

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Tuesday, November 18th, 2014 AT 6:00 PM

KELLY0203

MEMBER
4 POSTS

Thank you Joe for your help. I will indeed do that. Once I get situated I definitly will get to a mechanic and after they tell me what they tell me I will definitly keep you in mind. Thanks again for your continued help and concern. Just a thought after I do talk with the mechanic ita gonna be alittle difficult to write everythng down and explain it to you. But I'll hit that bump once I get my car checked, which God willing will be soon. Ok take care and have a great holiday. Thanks Joe. :)