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Hi, i have a 96 Eldorado ,, recently changed the radiator. The temp gauge always stayed the same once operating temp was reached . Now while stopped in traffic the guage goes up to second mark passed center ,,, once the car is moving at crusing speed the temp gauge goes back to normal(one line above center line).. i can drive 300 miles no problems ,,only when im idling does the temp go up ,, ive notice that the fans do come on but maybe not soon enough, the heater core housing on the fire wall is crumbling from the heat ,,,,any suggestions thanks,,

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You are not alone as far as the blower motor box is crumbling away,they just do that...I don't know how handy you may be but foil adhesive tape,and clean all the areas with varsol,so you may PATCH allthe leaks helps,give it a try...as far as the heating up stuff goes,since you've changed your rad it may take a few heating and cooling cycles before you realize the coolant level,keep an eye on it. Make sure that you have NO external leaks...

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You are not alone as far as the blower motor box is crumbling away,they just do that...I don't know how handy you may be but foil adhesive tape,and clean all the areas with varsol,so you may PATCH allthe leaks helps,give it a try...as far as the heating up stuff goes,since you've changed your rad it may take a few heating and cooling cycles before you realize the coolant level,keep an eye on it. Make sure that you have NO external leaks...

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It could be the ECT sensor, but not likely. Check to be sure that the purge line is clear and flow coolant. Also be sure that the water pump drive belt tensioner is providing enough tension and is not slipping.

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I've found that when you change coolant all kinds of things can happen...for example LEAKS...If you disturb some hoses leaks can occur, just make sure that you have the right size clamps for the right size job.

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If this started after changing radiators, could perhaps the replacement have less veins; maybe your original radiator was a heavy duty model, and while you changed your radiator with a suitable replacement, it was of a slightly lessor capacity. Looking at Rockauto.com they list a radiator replacement and also a radiator replacement with 'max' cooling.

Chuck

'19 CT6, '04 Bravada........but still lusting for that '69 Z-28

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If this started after changing radiators, could perhaps the replacement have less veins; maybe your original radiator was a heavy duty model, and while you changed your radiator with a suitable replacement, it was of a slightly lessor capacity. Looking at Rockauto.com they list a radiator replacement and also a radiator replacement with 'max' cooling.

Thanks Ill check the water pump drive belt tensioner , what ive noticed is that it seems like while at cruisin speed the coolant is being air cooled and thats why the temp comes back down,, wonding if it has to do with the fan not turning on soon enough ,, also the ac needs to be charged ,, would that have anything to do with it,, lost the charge while changing the radiator ,,,thanks

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Loosing the a/c charge would just tell the system to not engage the a/c compressor. This would just free-wheel (the same as when the a/c is off) so no, it wouldn't affect the cooling (other than if the a/c were on, it would send a signal to the cooling fan(s) to run, which should help cool the system, not make it run warmer).

Chuck

'19 CT6, '04 Bravada........but still lusting for that '69 Z-28

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Loosing the a/c charge would just tell the system to not engage the a/c compressor. This would just free-wheel (the same as when the a/c is off) so no, it wouldn't affect the cooling (other than if the a/c were on, it would send a signal to the cooling fan(s) to run, which should help cool the system, not make it run warmer).

Thanks for the a/c info ,,, so now not realy sure what it could be ,, the radiator cap seems fine ,,ill get another one to make sure ,, the overflow hose is not clogged,,and i just looked at the location for the ect and looks very difficult to get to ,,, any way how can i tell when the fans are suppose to come on ....thanks

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Hi, i have a 96 Eldorado ,, recently changed the radiator. The temp gauge always stayed the same once operating temp was reached . Now while stopped in traffic the guage goes up to second mark passed center ,,, once the car is moving at crusing speed the temp gauge goes back to normal(one line above center line).. i can drive 300 miles no problems ,,only when im idling does the temp go up ,, ive notice that the fans do come on but maybe not soon enough....

A radiator replacement means the fan(s) mounting bracket was removed. Are you absolutely certain the wire harness was not damaged or positioned incorrectly or the fan motors connectors were not damaged??

And the only way I can tell my fans are running is to use a flashlight and stick my head down there to be 100% sure the blades are spinning,

Normal fan operation on my '98 model engine is like this:

A/C OFF

Fans to LOW speed (wired in series) when coolant temperature reaches approx. 223 F.

Fans to HIGH speed (full voltage to both motors) if/when coolant temperature reaches approx. 234 F.

Fans OFF when coolant temperature drops to approx. 212 F.

The LOW to HIGH to OFF switching is determined by three relays in the underhood fuse/relay box. The PCM controls the relays based on coolant temperature information from the coolant temperature sensor. The fans are powered through a 50 A fuse in the RH MAXI fuse block.

With an otherwise properly operating cooling system, you could leave the engine idling all day on the hottest day of the year and you might not "hear" the fans being cycled ON - OFF and you might not even see the temperature gauge move.

Jim

Drive your car.

Use your cell phone.

CHOOSE ONE !

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Hi, i have a 96 Eldorado ,, recently changed the radiator. The temp gauge always stayed the same once operating temp was reached . Now while stopped in traffic the guage goes up to second mark passed center ,,, once the car is moving at crusing speed the temp gauge goes back to normal(one line above center line).. i can drive 300 miles no problems ,,only when im idling does the temp go up ,, ive notice that the fans do come on but maybe not soon enough....

A radiator replacement means the fan(s) mounting bracket was removed. Are you absolutely certain the wire harness was not damaged or positioned incorrectly or the fan motors connectors were not damaged??

And the only way I can tell my fans are running is to use a flashlight and stick my head down there to be 100% sure the blades are spinning,

Normal fan operation on my '98 model engine is like this:

A/C OFF

Fans to LOW speed (wired in series) when coolant temperature reaches approx. 223 F.

Fans to HIGH speed (full voltage to both motors) if/when coolant temperature reaches approx. 234 F.

Fans OFF when coolant temperature drops to approx. 212 F.

The LOW to HIGH to OFF switching is determined by three relays in the underhood fuse/relay box. The PCM controls the relays based on coolant temperature information from the coolant temperature sensor. The fans are powered through a 50 A fuse in the RH MAXI fuse block.

With an otherwise properly operating cooling system, you could leave the engine idling all day on the hottest day of the year and you might not "hear" the fans being cycled ON - OFF and you might not even see the temperature gauge move.

Thanks for this info on the fans, the fans do turn on i can see them turning but maybe not on high ,, I will check the relays... and since the relays are based on the ect sensor could it be that it is fauly ,,, thanks

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If this started AFTER you changed your radiator, its possible that you have air in your system that can not get out.

What was the reason your radiator was changed in the first place?, that is important for us to know

I would pull the purge line (carefully) off of your coolant tank while the engine is cool and see if you have coolant flow, if not let us know. You will see a 3/8" rubber hose (not the overflow hose) at the top of the tank. When the engine is cool and off, pull it off, go start engine, see if coolant flows steadily

Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1  >>

1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm

How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/

Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year  http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm

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If this started AFTER you changed your radiator, its possible that you have air in your system that can not get out.

What was the reason your radiator was changed in the first place?, that is important for us to know

I would pull the purge line (carefully) off of your coolant tank while the engine is cool and see if you have coolant flow, if not let us know. You will see a 3/8" rubber hose (not the overflow hose) at the top of the tank. When the engine is cool and off, pull it off, go start engine, see if coolant flows steadily

Hi, the reason for changing the radiator is because it sprung a leak near the top .. this may have been my fault since there is not much room to do any work my ratchet hit it a few times while changing the alternator....soon after that i noticed a small leak ..

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Did it overheat before you changed the radiator?

If not, check the purge line to see if it is clear

Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1  >>

1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm

How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/

Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year  http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm

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OK good.

OK, explain in detail what is happening to us again. You say it seems to overheat in traffic. In traffic depending upon the season, my NS would get up to 217 to 220. What is happening to yours?

Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1  >>

1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm

How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/

Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year  http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm

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OK good.

OK, explain in detail what is happening to us again. You say it seems to overheat in traffic. In traffic depending upon the season, my NS would get up to 217 to 220. What is happening to yours?

HI, Prior to changing the radiator the temp gauge never went beyond 12oclock (just a line past 12 was normal),, since the installation of the new radiator the car runs fine until yu have to idle or move slowly in traffic,then the needle will creep up first past the 1st line past center then up to the 2nd line , once back to crusin speed the temp comes back down,, also if i drive the car for more the 10 min then stop turn it off run into the store ,,come back out and start drivin the gauge starts out high then comes back down within a few min of diving over 35mph without stopping ,,,it just seems like the fans arent turning on soon enough ,, after i checked the purge line I let the car idle for a while and it was getting close to the second line and still no fan ,,, I turned it off ,,,didnt want it to cause problems .....the fans do come on eventually ive seen them the last couple of times I checked ,,,

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It is possible that you are seeing peaks because the AC is not running. When the AC runs, the cooling fans run all the time. Its possible that you are seeing higher peaks because the cooling fans are not running 100% of the time

Check your coolant level and make sure it has adequate coolant

Who replaced the radiator and what kind was it?

Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1  >>

1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm

How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/

Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year  http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm

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It is possible that you are seeing peaks because the AC is not running. When the AC runs, the cooling fans run all the time. Its possible that you are seeing higher peaks because the cooling fans are not running 100% of the time

Check your coolant level and make sure it has adequate coolant

Who replaced the radiator and what kind was it?

Hi ,, the radiator looked identical to the original one ,,, a friend of mine changed it but I picked it up at advance auto and compaired the two ,, as far as the AC ,,never had this problem of seeing peaks while not running ,,, coolant level is full,,could there be a relay at fault or sensor

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