Q: Car overheating at light

asked by on January 22, 2016

My car heats up at lights. I replaced the thermostat. The fan also turns on when the car is turned off, but only the passenger's side fan.

Car is overheating Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

I am going to assume you have a 2.2 liter engine with the air conditioning option on your vehicle, since you mentioned multiple fans. Both fans should turn on while the vehicle is running and the A/C is switched on. One of the fans belongs to the engine cooling system and is activated by a thermostatic switch that may power the fan on for up to 15 minutes even after the car is turned off. The engine’s water pump circulates coolant and the fans move air across the radiator to lower the temperature of the hot coolant coming from the engine. A low coolant level generally indicates a leak. Have a mechanic, like the ones at YourMechanic, take a closer look to diagnose why your car is overheating at lights.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

How do I manually adjust the anti-glare rear view mirror?
The rear view mirror is an important safety feature that allows you to see what is happening behind your vehicle. At night, however, the glare from the headlights of vehicles behind you can diminish your visibility and your safety. To...
Serpentine belt came off.
It sounds like you may have a broken serpentine belt (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/serpentine-drive-belt-replacement) or a idler pulley (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/idler-pulley-replacement) that may have caused the belt to fall off. I would suggest that you get a mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, to check...
Engine is not turning over; clicking noise from starter
The symptoms you describe on your GMC Sierra lead me to believe that the issue lies with the battery, starter or the wiring that joins these two components together. It is also possible to have issues with all three. You...
The air conditioner and heater control panel has no power, no lights, nothing
Since you seem to get some temporary action by messing with the fuses, the problem may lie in the power distribution box. Underneath the fuse panel is a network of connections, some of which may overheat in an older car....
I have switched the iss and the oss and it still has problems what els can it be?
I need more detail on your problem, but it sounds like you are having transmission concerns. If the input and output shaft speeds are not correct and the transmission control module is throwing codes, you may have an internal transmission...
My car won't start. Diagnostic test read P0420 catalyst efficiency below normal (bank 1). Could this be why it won't start?
Hi there: When the oxygen sensors have a reading that is similar to each other, it is an indication that the catalytic converter is not working as efficiently as it is intended. If the voltage of the downstream oxygen sensor...
Can i drive my car in reduced engine power mode and will it cause further damage
Hi there. If the vehicle is in limp mode and will only go 10 mph with the engine running rough, I recommend not driving the vehicle as it may cause more damage than what you want to repair. Check all...
Once engine is warmed up (3-4miles) car stalls at intersections and won't stay running.
Hi there. The correct way to diagnose most mechanical problems like you are describing begins with a digital scanner inspection. This allows the mechanic to download any stored error codes and then pinpoint the source of the issue. Once codes...
Replaced right side shock absorber know tire rubs lateral arm 2006 Ford five hundred
To determine the exact fault, as well as why this has occurred, the vehicle will have to be inspected first hand. There are too many possibilities, and too many components to inspect, to speculate without seeing exactly what you have....

Related articles

The Best Used Cars to Buy for Long Commutes
Most Most of us are faced with the prospect of commuting back and forth to work on a daily basis, but some have a much longer drive than others. When it comes time to buy a car, you need to...
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Oil Cooler Adapter Gasket
Common signs include oil leaking from the oil cooler adapter, engine block, and oil filter. Prevent damage to your engine by getting the gasket fixed.
How Long Does a Cooling Fan Resistor Last?
The The purpose of the cooling fan resistor is to remove heat from the engine’s coolant and from the A/C refrigerant. The resistor does this by drawing air through the radiator and air conditioning condenser. A belt drive fan is...