Grand Am overheating.

[DeanMoriarty]

Posting this for a friend, sort of.

They have a newer model Grand Am, 2000 something... and the thing overheats almost instantly, even on the highway, even with the heater running. The fan is NOT running (a little electric one)... but I'm wondering if that's just part of a larger problem, given how fast it's overheating. I'm thinking water pump maybe? Or could the fan alone cause that?

 

[Ranger44]

The cooling fan not running can definately cause that! It should be running constantly at high temps. I'd check both fuses and relays first. Then maybe suspect a faulty temp sensor for it or faulty eletric fan motor. Also maybe see if there is anything logged in between the fan blades, could make it stick....

 

[Psychopete]

How fast is fast?

If it seems like the coolant is being "superheated", it might be a good idea to have the coolant tested (or test) for combustion gasses. IMO. I guess it could have a bad temp sender or gauge, but I would most likely verify whether it were actually overheating or not first. Is it boiling over?

Pete