MachSchnell

Well, after having gone through damn near everything in the cooling system, it seems there is one last issue...I had thought originally it was just air bubbles, but the car definitely runs hotter at night than during the day, so, I parked it runnign and watched the temp gauge go way up, and the voltage gauge drop below 12 volts...the fans switch into high mode and everything, but the voltage is low, and it seems like, when the amp load is higher, the car overheats. Even when idling, if it overheats and I rev the motor, the temp drops back down. So, the question is, knowing the voltage read on the gauge drops below 12V at night with the fans on high and the lights on, but is OK during the day almost regardless, does this sound like an alternator issue, or a battery issue?

I appreciate any help

Bri Bro

Get the battery and charging system tested. Most auto part stores will do a battery test for free.

Jaak Lepson

Jason ... try checking your grounds. When you rev the car the alternator puts out more current and the gauges will read correctly.

You alternator is good and the battery seems good. Check the grounds, and +12 cables, and clean and tighten both battery connections. If the battery was bad, it would not hold a strong enough charge to start the car over a short period of time.

What is the voltage when you rev the engine? Should be above +13 volts around 60 degree F. ambiant temperature. The voltage will drop when warmer and rise when colder, usually +/- 1 to 2 volts. This is a good start. Also check the temperature sensor leads for corrosion. <img border="0" alt="[thumbsup]" title="" src="graemlins/bigok.gif" />

MachSchnell

Hard to say, I haven't seen 60deg ambient in a month ;o) Actually, it barely hits 13 during the day when revving, at night it's closer to 12 with the lights on etc. I have now noticed that it overheats during the day as well, but even at a stoplight, it's just a matter of revving the motor and it QUICKLY returns to OK, so I'm now suspecting more air bubbles...damn I thought I bled those b*stards out but apparently there are more. Do these symptoms seem in accordance? When you have some bubbles (I presume collecting near the head temp sensor) would these quickly dissipate or be recirculated by revving the motor and thus moving some more water?