2004 Civic Overheating = maddening
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2004 Civic Overheating = maddening
Hello,
Son came home and told me to come outside so he could show me that his car was smoking. It wasn't smoking luckily, but at this point I kinda wish it would've been. It was overheating-- steam billowing out of the engine compartment and temp gauge nearing the "H".
First thing I noticed is that the fans were not running. I went down that path-- replaced ECT, no dice. Removed the thermostat and boiled it and it appeared to not move whatsoever. Replaced thermostat along with the radiator fan switch sensor (the other thing screwed into the thermostat housing besides the ECT) and the radiator cap. Still gets way over the mid-temp it usually sits at. Still no fans. Both fans will come on when I push turn the AC button on. Fans will come on when I jumper the fan switch plug (the one that plugs into the sensor that I replaced on the front side of the thermostat housing). Bottom hose gets hot but not as hot as top hose. I tried to burp it but I need to buy the burp funnel to properly do so.
Is there a particular voltage I can check for on the fan switch? Why would the car get so hot and still not kick on the fans? Am I barking up the wrong tree with the fans? I guess I can remove the new thermostat and check it again. I've seen no white smoke and engine oil doesn't seem milky. FWIW this is an aftermarket radiator, replaced a couple of years ago by me.
Help, please! I'm stumped.
Son came home and told me to come outside so he could show me that his car was smoking. It wasn't smoking luckily, but at this point I kinda wish it would've been. It was overheating-- steam billowing out of the engine compartment and temp gauge nearing the "H".
First thing I noticed is that the fans were not running. I went down that path-- replaced ECT, no dice. Removed the thermostat and boiled it and it appeared to not move whatsoever. Replaced thermostat along with the radiator fan switch sensor (the other thing screwed into the thermostat housing besides the ECT) and the radiator cap. Still gets way over the mid-temp it usually sits at. Still no fans. Both fans will come on when I push turn the AC button on. Fans will come on when I jumper the fan switch plug (the one that plugs into the sensor that I replaced on the front side of the thermostat housing). Bottom hose gets hot but not as hot as top hose. I tried to burp it but I need to buy the burp funnel to properly do so.
Is there a particular voltage I can check for on the fan switch? Why would the car get so hot and still not kick on the fans? Am I barking up the wrong tree with the fans? I guess I can remove the new thermostat and check it again. I've seen no white smoke and engine oil doesn't seem milky. FWIW this is an aftermarket radiator, replaced a couple of years ago by me.
Help, please! I'm stumped.
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 332
Likes: 17
From: Vampire state
Re: 2004 Civic Overheating = maddening
The sensor ( sending unit ) at the thermostat runs the temp. gauge , There's another one on top of the motor that runs the fans , Get OEM parts you can depend on from dealer or on line , It's worth the piece of mind . replace that sensor on top and if the fans don't come on but the gauge goes down when you drive it may be an air pocket ,If the gauge sits high and the motor is obviously hot and they don't come on then there's another problem I would think , The fans can come on then you disconnected that one sending unit for reasons I don't know . auto electric may not always make sense even if you think you know what's up .Your experience may differ , I'm not a tech Let us know .
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