My 1994 honda Accord LX has about 83,000 miles on it. In 2013 I had the radiator replaced; in 2015 radiator was flushed and coolant replaced. Jan. 1 '18 it overheated to the red mark. Had it towed and the thermostat/gasket/coolant replaced. It worked a bit but then temp gauge started going up to the 3/4 mark. Towed again and the Radiator Fan was replaced, coolant check was ok. It STILL continues to go to the highest line (just next to the red) on the gauge. I can shut it off, the fan runs a bit but not long. My mechanic said it's ok if the gauge goes to the 3/4 mark but I can't drive it being so afraid it's going to overheat. Any ideas on what to check (ask my mechanic to check) would be appreciated. Or is it really ok that it goes to the highest white line on the gauge?

 

That mechanic is a moron. There are no cars where the gauge goes to 3/4 and that's normal.

Idle it and see if both fans come on as it starts to go above halfway. If not, then it's possible the fan switch is bad. To confirm, Turn the car off, but turn the ignition to on without starting the car.

https://www.hondapartscheap.com/auto...mp-sensor-scat

In the part number 17 in this illustration, disconnect the connector and stick a paperclip into the connector into the two pins. See if the fans come on. If they do then you need to replace part 17.

 

Thanks! I will check the fans as suggested. However at my age (LOL - little old lady!) and physical ability doing the steps for the switch fan isn't something I can do. Recently moved and am too far away from the mechanic I've used for years so will check for other mechanics in my area. The mechanic was suggested by Triple AAA and I got a small discount. My car is automatic but that probably doesn't matter in the steps you've suggested, right?

 

No, it doesn't matter. That fan switch is actually fairly easy to replace. It's just a 19mm deep socket. You would just drain the coolant. Then when you put coolant back in you would crack open part 12 about a half a turn before filling the radiator. When you see coolant come out of that bolt you close it up, keep filling til the radiator is full and close the cap and you're done. Any handyman with tools you know could do it following those instructions.

But be sure that part is bad first.