I may be answering my own question here but here goes. My car never warms up, the temp gauge barely moves no matter how long my car is on, BUT if I turn the car off for a few minutes, then back on, the temp gauge goes up to a normal operating temperature level, but only for a few minutes before its all the way down to cold again.

The fan is hardwired so it always stays on, if it isnt hardwired it never comes on and the car overheats.

Is this a thermostat problem?

The car is a 1997 Civic. The motor is a jdm b20b.

 

thermostat and fan sensor switch need to be replaced.
Check the water temp with a thermometer in the rad cap.

 

Sounds like you need a new thermostat.

 

2x that shouldn't be over heating tho sounds like another problem there get a thermosat and go from there

 

It only overheats when I dont have the fan hard wired, since the fan never comes on. Also, I have the wire hooked up to the fan, then the plug is plugged into where it should be on the fan, when the wire is hooked up is causes the climate control not to work at all. If I pull the wire out for the fan, climate control works just fine.

 

During winter time, having your fan on the whole time isn't good. Fix your fan to the way it should be first

 

The problem isnt the fan or the relay though. Its gotta be something else, because it still doesnt turn on when I replace the relay. I am going to replace the thermostat and go from there.

 

Used to happen to me last winter. Id be driving when it was freezing and my gauge would start going back down to cold for some reason. Replaced the thermo and its been fine since. If you havnt replaced the fan switch id do that is well. Im pretty sure its right behind the thermostat.

 

Sick, I will replace that while I am replacing the thermostat.

 

Yep, thermostat and switch ... that should fix it for you ... report back once you tackle those two. Oh and Make sure to wire the Fan as it should be after you replace the two, its should work as it was intended.

 

Sick. Thanks everyone!

 

as far as thermostat and fan switch u might wanna check ur temp switch and sending unit they both located under the dizzy area.....

 

hmm. I will look in the manual. Can I test them? or just need to replace?

 

yes u can but 4 me I'd rather get new one....

 

Expensive?

 

Your problem as everyone else said is your thermostat. I would get a new one of those fix your wiring and see what happens. The fan should come on once the thermo opens. Get a new one and see what happens, I bet thats the only problem.

 

Had this problem on my 93 coupe. It even got to the point where I almost do not pass the smog test because the engine isn't "warmed" up (the temp gauge never went up).

I replaced everything I could possibly think of. Radiator, fan, cap, hoses, coolant, thermoswitch (this is the one closest to the thermostat) the thermostat, fuses (both under the dash and in the engine bay) even the clamps that held the hoses in place. Nothing.

Turns out, there is this little sensor that is under the distributor. It's a little difficult to get to but if you're going to take everything apart (especially the lower radiator hose) it should be easier to get to (also easier if you've drained all the coolant).

The wire could just be pulled out (make sure you pull as close to the base of the sensor as possible) and then just unbolt it (I think you use an 8mm socket). The sensor is probably around 7 bucks or so.

Put everything back together and test to see if the fan turns on when the engine properly warms up.

 

im having the same problems...but my car warms up...but not like 30-40% of the gauge i guess...hope you fix it