Car running too hot.

[LM13]

a couple of days ago i noticed that my 96 LT1 powered 9c1 is running kinda hot, the temperature guage doesn't usually go higher then a half of the thing. but now when it idles or while i am going through traffic the guage shows 3/4, or it sometimes gets to almost the end of the white braket.
and today when i stopped on a red light the thing when from the middle to 3/4 within like 2 mins.
while going at normal speeds 30-60 mph, the car runs nice and cool, but while idling, or in traffic the temps get kinda high.
i think the primary fan kicks in kinda late, isn't it supposed to kick in right after the guage goes above the 1/2 mark. i tryed changing the temp sensor and still the same thing.
i thought maybe the thermostat, but that is like a month old.
john didn't you have a prob like that? i lost your phone number man send me an email with it if you could
any ideas what i could be?
thanx

[9C1LT195]

All lt1 caprices have the problem of fluctuating engine temperature from the factory. On idle and low speeds gauge shows on the high side. This is caused by the fans being turned on late, programming problem.

The best way to fix it is a 160 thermostat. However, PCM has to be reprogrammed so it wouldn't run in open mode. My gauge is constantly at slightly higher than 1/8 mark, even when idling after the thermostat mod. I think there is also a module that could be wired to the fans that would make them turn on sooner. The negative side is that your heater won't run as hot as with 180 thermostat.

[DR2000]

And sooner or later you should switch from OBDII to OBDI, or you'll run into multiple issues with reprogramming, and everythign else...

[MrSag]

LM, I was just gonna offer you to swap our cars, so that u have an OBD1, and I have a car that's all white for a change... but then I remembered how much money I spent on my alarm and audio system and changed my mind:D

[LM13]

but you are forgetting how much money i spent on the perfomance of my car.
but i don't think thats the thing that intrigues you the most :)

[DR2000]

Originally posted by MrSag
LM, I was just gonna offer you to swap our cars, so that u have an OBD1, and I have a car that's all white for a change... but then I remembered how much money I spent on my alarm and audio system and changed my mind:D

Er, I thought getting your call multi-colored was one of your main objectives. ;)

[GreatWhiteOn20z]

Originally posted by LM13
a couple of days ago i noticed that my 96 LT1 powered 9c1 is running kinda hot, the temperature guage doesn't usually go higher then a half of the thing. but now when it idles or while i am going through traffic the guage shows 3/4, or it sometimes gets to almost the end of the white braket.
and today when i stopped on a red light the thing when from the middle to 3/4 within like 2 mins.
while going at normal speeds 30-60 mph, the car runs nice and cool, but while idling, or in traffic the temps get kinda high.
i think the primary fan kicks in kinda late, isn't it supposed to kick in right after the guage goes above the 1/2 mark. i tryed changing the temp sensor and still the same thing.
i thought maybe the thermostat, but that is like a month old.
john didn't you have a prob like that? i lost your phone number man send me an email with it if you could
any ideas what i could be?
thanx
Hey LM, you ever considered installing a switch so that you can manually controll fans? I used to have Taurus SHO a while ago and I did that for that car. I'll do that to my LT-1s some time soon. You can even leave it on all the time if you want. Think about it.

[CrowSS]

That's "normal" for a LT1 Caprice. I don't know how accurate the gauge is, you'd have to get an actual themrometer to see what the temps are. Just turn on your A/C and it'll drop right down. Just make sure the climate control is turned to hot right now, otherwise you might get a little chilly. :D
Later~:cool:

[LM13]

yea i believe 95_LT1 has the same prob, when it is not actually a prob.
i'll let it be that way, maybe someday i'll change to the 160 thermostat, that should keep it cool

[calikicksnet]

Is A 205 Thermostat Bad?

[Raxstone]

I'm not positive, but I think 195 was stock with the L03/05's. I wouldn't want to run hotter.

[Paul Kaczmar]

LM13: You mentioned that you changed out the T-stat a month ago. By any chance did U bleed the air out of the system after you installed it.

If you did then this is a mute point. :D

If not bleed it with the screw/nut at the top of the water pump where the upper hose comes in.

Tools either a flat head screwdriver or a 7-8mm socket depending on what you have as a bleeder set up.

Simply open it up a bit (half to one turn) once the car starts to warm up, either you will get some air out or coolant will start to seep out of the screw/nut after a few moments. Repeat a few minutes later and try a few more times during the next day or so. This will ensure U get all the air out of the system.

Carry a bit of 50/50 mix of coolant and water to top off the rez tank if its needed.

LT-1 motors run in reverse flow as far as the cooling system goes. You get air in the system whenever you change out any cooling related parts, hoses,t-stat & water pump. Always bleed the air out or you will get hot spots and an irradic temp reading on the dash.

Hope this helps. :cool:

[Jmunoz]

would it be possibe to wire up the electric fans independantly of the engines computer and have it turn on when the temp hits like 200 or so instead of letting the engine get hotter, then having the fans turn on. just a thought

[Raxstone]

LM13: You mentioned that you changed out the T-stat a month ago. By any chance did U bleed the air out of the system after you installed it.

If you did then this is a mute point. :D

Hope this helps. :cool:

LM13's problem was 4 years ago. This is just a very, very old post that Calikicksnet for some reason revived just to ask about a 205 thermostat. Why he did that instead of just starting up a new thread, I have no idea.

[Paul Kaczmar]

My bad, been a rough 36 hours here at the office. Had I looked at the date of the posting it would of clicked. :eek:

[calikicksnet]

sorry had the same problem changed the thermo n found this

[LM13]

whats that on the pic man? i can't quite make it out :mad:

[calikicksnet]

it was the thermo in it how did u fix your problem

[88towncar_86_]

oh, my, god. THAT was your thermo!!? :eek:

[LM13]

i just did the programming.

in my new car i have the programming and the electrical wp

my guage never goes above 180

[calikicksnet]

how do i program it i put a new pump on it and went through 3 thermos

[LM13]

how do i program it i put a new pump on it and went through 3 thermos


bryan herter (pcmforless.com) did the programing for me. you put a new water pump in it?
maybe you need to flush out your radiator?
i'm not sure i understand what excatly happens to your tstat :(

[calikicksnet]

maybe iw as running hot bcuz i had the thermo in upside down

[calikicksnet]

first thermo was gone second was 205 i thought if you get a higher one it will be better third one 180 but we trashed that one n got another one just to be safe because i rode with it while the motor was hot

[calikicksnet]

yea new pump

[LM13]

did you try flushing/replacing your radiator?