Houston, We have a problem! (overheating)
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,560
Likes: 3
From: Twinsburg, Ohio
Houston, We have a problem! (overheating)
Need Opinions here, so feel free. My 1981 has apparently developed a problem overnight. Here is the situation; The red ! light in gauge cluster comes on as does the red ! in center console. No other warning lights. However, the temp gauge is reading very high when the light comes on, but the auxillary fan is not running. Brand new fan switch in radiator and fan will run if jumpered there. Radiator did not feel extremely hot at the fan switch. Does this sound like a plugged up radiator or a bad thermostat? And shouldn't I get a temp warning light in addition to the !? It appears to be what the owners manual calls a group "A" problem. The red ! light cannot be canceled by pushing the rest button. The manual says group "A" problems are : oil pressure (good), oil level (good), brake pressure (good) and temperature (suspect). Can anything else light these lights? All help greatly appreciated. Now where is Wally P. when I really need him? 
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 370
Likes: 1
From: Webster, NY USA
I am certainly no expert, but this sounds like a warning light problem to me. First check the actual temperatures of your engine and radiator with an infrared thermometer. (Radio Shack, about $35. Extremely useful device) At the thermostat housing you should get a steady state reading of about 185 deg F. The top hose will read a little less and the bottom less still. If you get these readings your cooling system is OK and you have an indicator light problem.
Here's my situation. The car brakes properly. If I turn on the right turn signal and step on the brakes, the central warning light comes on! Happens every time. Goes out when I press the console button.
By the way, If your lights are flashing the only to turn them off is to disconnect the battery, and for more than a few seconds.
Here's my situation. The car brakes properly. If I turn on the right turn signal and step on the brakes, the central warning light comes on! Happens every time. Goes out when I press the console button.
By the way, If your lights are flashing the only to turn them off is to disconnect the battery, and for more than a few seconds.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 813
Likes: 3
From: Denver, CO
Sounds like a thermostat failure to me. If the radiator is cool and the temp is running high it might be the thermostat has failed in the closed position. Good news is that it's an easy and inexpensive fix. I had this happen to me in my '87 on the way to the Wichita 928 OCIC in 2000. Temps soared on the gauge but the radiator was cool...
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 12,620
Likes: 8
From: Boulder Creek, CA
Originally Posted by cfc928gt
Sounds like a thermostat failure to me. If the radiator is cool and the temp is running high it might be the thermostat has failed in the closed position.