running hot - CHECK THIS FIRST

[GSTREIN at aol.com]

Another thing to check first is to turn the ignition on (engine does not need
to be running just with the ignition key fully turned on) - then turn the A/C
on automatic and see if the electric radiator fan is running on low
speed...if it is not then you may have a problem with the series resistor
pack which controls the fan at 3 different levels (speeds) at the various
temps the sensors tell it to...if one of the low fan speed resistors is burnt
out then the fan will not run when it should and will only kick on at higher
temps....the test I mentioned above usually will indicate that the "normal"
fan speed is OK and then it is more likely a temp sensor issue but still
could be the resistor pack at one of the other speed settings...THIS TEST
SHOULD BE DONE WITH THE ENGINE COLD (below normal operating temp) so that
other circuits don't fool you such as the after shutdown fan relay control
that runs the fan for a time if the engine is hot to let the components cool
down...ANOTHER TELL TALE SIGN OF THE RESISTOR PACK NOT WORKING PROPERLY IS IF
YOUR A/C IS NOT COOLING PROPERLY WHEN FULLY CHARGED...OR IF THE A/C CUTS OUT
FOR NO GOOD REASON IN TRAFFIC...THIS RESISTOR PACK KEEPS THE FAN RUNNING WHEN
A/C IS ENGAGED TO KEEP THE PRESSURES WITHIN SPECS...