Overheating Problem

I have an 86 Z28 with the 5.0L fuel injection that i have replaced the entire cooling system, except when i was replacing the coolant temperature sensor i found another one just like it but bigger. Nobody at the local auto places know what is is either. All this has been done cause the temperature keeps rising and lowering constantly, sometimes getting up way too high before it goes down. I replaced the fan relay and everything works but not as soon as it should. Does this mystery part have anything to do with this constant rising and falling problem? I mean it should stay just under 220 right? HELP!!

Reply to
Mic
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On many 3rd gen cars, there is a lower air dam that directs air into the radiator area. If it's cracked, missing or damaged in any way, you will overheat.

Where is this "mystery switch" located? The fatter of the two with one blade or button terminal is usually the temperature sender for the gauge. I can't remember off the top of my head what the fan switch looks like---on some the coolant temperature sensor (the one for the computer) may also trigger the fan.

Any parts store with a half way competent counterperson or parts catalog should be able to get you what you need.

Joe--ASE Certified Parts Specialist & 10th Ann.Club Tech Director '80 Carousel Red Turbo T/A, 27k orig. '79 "Y89" 400/4 speed 10th Ann. T/A, 57k orig '84 Olds 88 Royale Bgm 2 dr, 307 "Rocket" (lol), 143k and still going....

Reply to
Bigjfig

So where exactly is this Lower Air Dam? And the "mystery switch" is located right next to the sensor barley an inch to the left of it. Some guy at the dealership thinks it might be the Cold Start Switch, but ever since i took it out and had to put it back in cause i couldn't replace it the guage has not been working properly, So i'm guessing it's the guage sensor. But it does not have a one button terminal it also has a two prong connection. I have also put the fan on a toggle switch in the meantime to keep control of it myself and it seems to be working, but i eventually want it working on it's own.

Reply to
Mic

Go back to the parts guy who "thinks" this part is this part and tell him to look in the parts book and get his head out of his ass.

If he's halfway competent about holding up the counter with his gut, he'll find it in two seconds.

The air dam is a piece of plastic on the lower valance that directs air up through the radiator. Memory serves me both the Camaro and Firebird have it (they have different front ends, obviously), but I don't drive anything F body post 1981 (you'll never see me drive anything F body with a corporate engine in it), so I can't remember :)

Cold start injectors were made by Bosch and have a Bosch # on them. So, if this switch doesn't have any Bosch logos/numbers, it's not the cold start injector. And, I really doubt it's that, because the cold start injector is for the fuel system, not the cooling/PCM/gauge system/senders.

Might want to get yourself a parts man with a clue...

Joe--ASE Certified Parts Specialist & 10th Ann.Club Tech Director '80 Carousel Red Turbo T/A, 27k orig. '79 "Y89" 400/4 speed 10th Ann. T/A, 57k orig '84 Olds 88 Royale Bgm 2 dr, 307 "Rocket" (lol), 143k and still going....

Reply to
Bigjfig

When i pulled out that part, it did say Bosch on it. Also antifreeze came out upon removal. They couldn't find a match for the numbers on it, but this was also at the local Auto Zone so that can explain that. And what if the valance has that stupid license plate holder mounted on it? Will that cause a problem? My last camaro didn't have one. And as for finding a parts guy who knows something well.. the search continues =)

Reply to
Mic

If it was a Bosch, it is likely the cold start injector, BUT that is usually on the rail area, if anything. What #s did you have on it? Did the Autozone folks call their vendor's tech line to find an interchange? They should.

Hit the dealer's parts counter and get a picture of the front end to see what the air dam looks like. Will take the dealer guy two seconds to find it on the parts computer.

Joe--ASE Certified Parts Specialist & 10th Ann.Club Tech Director '80 Carousel Red Turbo T/A, 27k orig. '79 "Y89" 400/4 speed 10th Ann. T/A, 57k orig '84 Olds 88 Royale Bgm 2 dr, 307 "Rocket" (lol), 143k and still going....

Reply to
Bigjfig

Reply to
Andy Warren

It was for sure a Bosch part and I did have them check and nothing came up as a match. They even looked through the book with me and we found nothing. I can't remember for sure what the numbers were but there were

2 sets, a 4 number and an 8-9 number. But it did come right out of the front an inch away from the Temperature Sensor. And because of the link that Mr. Warren provided on the air dam i am sure now that it's in tact, no damage. I'm starting to think that the guage itself is bad as far as getting an accurate reading. But i still have the issue as to why the fan stopped comming on by itself after we removed those two parts and why it keeps getting so damn hot before the fan would come on before it quit working. The motor and wiring are all working perfectly as well as the relay (It better it's all new) I dunno what to do.
Reply to
Mic

It was for sure a Bosch part and I did have them check and nothing came up as a match. They even looked through the book with me and we found nothing. I can't remember for sure what the numbers were but there were

2 sets, a 4 number and an 8-9 number. But it did come right out of the front an inch away from the Temperature Sensor. And because of the link that Mr. Warren provided on the air dam i am sure now that it's in tact, no damage. I'm starting to think that the guage itself is bad as far as getting an accurate reading. But i still have the issue as to why the fan stopped comming on by itself after we removed those two parts and why it keeps getting so damn hot before the fan would come on before it quit working. The motor and wiring are all working perfectly as well as the relay (It better it's all new) I dunno what to do.
Reply to
Mic

It was for sure a Bosch part and I did have them check and nothing came up as a match. They even looked through the book with me and we found nothing. I can't remember for sure what the numbers were but there were

2 sets, a 4 number and an 8-9 number. But it did come right out of the front an inch away from the Temperature Sensor. And because of the link that Mr. Warren provided on the air dam i am sure now that it's in tact, no damage. I'm starting to think that the guage itself is bad as far as getting an accurate reading. But i still have the issue as to why the fan stopped comming on by itself after we removed those two parts and why it keeps getting so damn hot before the fan would come on before it quit working. The motor and wiring are all working perfectly as well as the relay (It better it's all new) I dunno what to do.
Reply to
Mic

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