Hi guys ive recently been having some over heating problems with my 2002 honda civic lx. I was driving around Miami Beach during rush hour when i took of from a stop light i notice my car wouldn't accelerate above 20mph and my check engine light was on so i pull over turn off my car and attempt to star it again. it gave me some trouble but it started up and then engine began to shake violently i pop my hood and the engine block is glowing red so i run to look at my temp gauge its a bit bellow the middle. when the engine cooled down i check the coolant and it was fine, no leaks and it looked brand new but i noticed that my cooling fans wouldn't turn on, no matter how hot the car was unless i turned on my a/c that fixed the problem temporarily but i don't like to be driving around like that, so my question is why did my temp gauge not show that dramatic increase in temperature and why didn't my cooling fans turn on at that temperature. whats faulty? what needs to be replaced? i need to know ASAP i would like to fix my car quickly so i don't need to worry about my engine overheating and. thanks

 

Fan switch and thermostat come to mind. Check for any leaks or milky fluid coming from spots between the head and block...there is a chance your head gasket is done too.
If fluid level is non-existent you could have toasted your water pump.

 

I am guessing that , "i pop my hood and the engine block is glowing red" is an exaggeration, because if the engine block was "red hot" you would have more problems then the rad fan not working.

As mentioned, check the rad fan switch, unplug it and jump the connector, if rad fan turns on, replace the switch. 94

 

If not your fans toast. Please tell me the engine glowing was an exaggeration or your running with no oil or something lol

 

Coolant temp switch?

 

My uncle had the same exact vehicle and the same problem. He thought the head gasket was bad but it turns out that it was actually a bad thermostat.

 

I would agree with everyone else and tell u also to maybe try a new coolant yelp switch or try a collant temp sensor.