1996 Mazda Protege temp gauge is showing running hot

LATROBE59

MEMBER
1996 MAZDA PROTEGE
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
174,000 MILES

My 1996 protege's temperature gauge is starting to go past its normal position into the hot range.
The check engine light is on. But it has been on for a while. Had the catalytic converter replaced, the plugswires etc. Replaced.
I suspect the cooing fan is not turning on. The car runs at normal temp on the highway, runs hot after acceleration. The temp gauge drops if the heat is turned on.
Any help is appreciated.

3 Replies

RACEFAN966

MECHANIC
5,029 POSTS

So is the radiator full? Have let it idle and warm up to see if the fan comes on when it gets to temp (not letting get overheated)? Does the engine fans come on when you turn on the defrosters? Get back to me and we will go from there.

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Thursday, June 11th, 2009 AT 10:33 AM

LATROBE59

MEMBER
2 POSTS

The radiator is full. I checked to see if the fans came on after driving from work, distance about 30 miles. I let the car idle in the driveway, the fans did not come on in about 5 to 10 minutes.

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Thursday, June 11th, 2009 AT 11:03 AM

RACEFAN966

MECHANIC
5,029 POSTS

Do you know where the temp sensor is on the rear of the engine? If you unplug that will the fan come on? Have checked to see if the fans come on when you turn on the a/c or turn it on the heat and set it on defroster mode? Do you have a digital multi meter to ohm the temp sensor with? If so the unplug it (engine off key off) and ohm the sensor (not the harness) and give me the reading and the temp at the time do this when the engine is cold so you can give me the outside air temp. Let me know what you find here.

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Friday, June 12th, 2009 AT 8:48 AM