98 Toyota Camry Overheating

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- bsmith95610
  
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posted
15 years ago

Wed, Apr 8, 2009 5:04 AM

I have a 98 Toyota Camry that's temperature gage says it's overheating. When I put the heater on the temperature stays the same. When I put the air conditioning on the temperature gage goes back down. It doesn't overheat every time I drive it but does most of the time. I have never fully overheated the temperature gage will just get really high and I have to turn the AC on or stop driving for a few minutes. I have replaced the thermostat, radiator, water pump, and temperature sensor. Could it possibly be something to do with the fans that are mounted on the radiator? These were not replaced I took them off of the old radiator and installed them on the new one. It appears that the fans are not running when the car is running but when I turn on the AC they start up. Is it possible that it is something with the fans? Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks, Brant

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- Ray O
  
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posted
15 years ago

Wed, Apr 8, 2009 5:18 AM

As you have discovered, it is always a good idea to check parts before replacing them.

When you replaced the thermostat, did you orient the spring and jiggle valve exactly the same way as the one that came out?

Without looking at a repair manual I can't be sure, but I believe that there are 2 temperature sensors for your car - one for the gauge and one for the cooling fans. The switch for the fan is probably normally open circuit when the temp is cool and closed circuit when the temp is hot. so it should be easy to put a meter on it and check.

If you apply 12 volts to the fans, do they come on?

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- S.Hansen
  
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posted
15 years ago

Wed, Apr 8, 2009 5:36 AM

On most cars the fans turn on at two different times; when the ac is on or when the car gets hot. the switch that is suppose to turn them on when it gets hots most likely failed or isn't plugged in. was there any plug with wires in the radaitor? I don't remember the location of that sensor. Steve

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- bsmith95610
  
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posted
15 years ago

Wed, Apr 8, 2009 3:33 PM

When I get home I will take a look and see if there is a plug going into the radiator I can't remember I replaced it a while ago. How would I be able to find out if there are 2 temperature sensors for my car (one for the gauge & one for the cooling fans)? I have a Chilton's book would it list it in there?

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- Ray O
  
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posted
15 years ago

Wed, Apr 8, 2009 7:11 PM

When I get home I will take a look and see if there is a plug going into the radiator I can't remember I replaced it a while ago. How would I be able to find out if there are 2 temperature sensors for my car (one for the gauge & one for the cooling fans)? I have a Chilton's book would it list it in there?

******* I don't know if the Chilton's book lists both sensors, but the factory manual and wiring diagram will. See how many sensors are located in the thermostat housing.

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- Nick Bourne
  
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posted
15 years ago

Thu, Apr 9, 2009 8:38 AM

I would think that given the temp drops when the aircon turns the fans on the "Normal" fan switch isn't working or the plug has come off. I dont know where it is on the v6 but if you have the 2.2L four it's on the thermostat housing where the lower radiator hose attaches. The one for the temperature gauge is on where the top radiator hose attaches.