Hello, today I brought home my 96 LT4 and I noticed that the water temps at stop lights would go all most to 240. The outside air temp was about 40. I was wondering if this is normal, this is my frist Corvette and I do not want to mess it up.

 

No thats too high. The first thing to check is whether the stat is opening at 180F. The car's temp should hold there for several moments, and shouldnt get much above it in 40F temps.

The space between condensor and radiator may also be plugged up with debris, at the same time a radiator flush is recommended.

 

First of all, welcome to the site. CorvetteForum is an amazing place with lots of great people, and more info than you can shake a stick at.

Next...just know that Corvettes run hotter than your neighbor's Toyota - they're supposed to. That said, the factory setting for the fans to come on is at 228. It's either really hot out and that's why the temps climbed so high (but you said it was 40* outside), your fans aren't coming on when they're supposed to, or you've got some other issue. When my waterpump went, my temps did that...of course, it happened in Phoenix in the middle of summer, so I didn't notice it as early as I could've/should've.


Edit: forgot to mention - the fans are set to come on (by the computer) at 228, but you can trigger them manually by turning the A/C on. Go out to the driveway, pop the hood, start 'er up, and after a few minutes turn on the A/C. You'll know if the fans are coming on. If they do, that's one thing you can disregard as a possible issue.

 

 

I tryed the ac trick and the fan did not come on, so I checked the fuse and that was good so mybe I need a new fan. The Vette has 160000 miles on the clock. Thanks for the info

 

Gee, my '05 RAV4 runs at 195 on the Freeway and about 225 in town. So did my '97 S10 and my '95 Gran Prix and my kid's '05 Mustang. All stay a bit cooler around town if the a/c is on, which it always is in the Vette, so it doesn't get much above 215 when it's at a stoplight. Of course you need a scanner to see what temp the fan(s) is/(are) coming on at and paying attention a gauge (if it even exists) may not tell you much if only because the OEM's rarely if ever put a # on the "normal" mark for any analog readout (they don't want all these cars back at the Dealership when the owner sees that normal is somewhere around 220). So, get the specs for your Vette first, which for the later Years (if I remember correctly) have the main fan clicking on at 217 or so and the secondary at 226 to 228 - unless the a/c is on, at which point both fans will be on with head pressures of 150 psi all specs with speeds below 35 to 40 mph. Then hook up a scanner and see if they're turning on within those specs. You can note any differences between what the scanner is showing you and your gage, but the key is to make sure it's working right first and if it's not, diagnose it from there.

PS - since you have no fans with a/c, I doubt you're a/c is working or it was an extremely cold day and the engine wasn't up to operating temp. Otherwise, without the fans, the pressure switch would shut it off so that it doesn't blow up (and for '96, that should generate a code). You need to check it out and the best way to do that is with a scanner which will give you the Pressure Switch signal in volts and pressure as well as the Engine Coolant Temp and while you're capturing that info you can observe what the fans and a/c compressor are doing.

 

Could be a number of things causing this problem. But yes those temps at that ambient temp is way too high.

Do you have the electronic AC or manual AC? If you have electronic AC with the ign. ON, press and hold both up/down fan buttons until --- is displayed. Then press the fan AUTO button in between them to display any codes. If you have an 09 code, your low on R134a and the sensor is preventing the compressor from coming on this in turn prevents the fan from coming on until the engine temp hits prescribed levels.

The fan relays located on the driver's side of the radiator shroud, are controlled by the ECM based on inputs from the following: AC condenser pressure, coolant temp, oil temp, throttle position, vehicle speed, engine speed, and ECM status.

Although there are other factors controlling the fans, the base coolant temps are primary fan coolant temp at 226F, secondary fan 234F.

 

If it was 40* outside, I doubt you turned on the AC (maybe the heater). I'd start with the t-stat, then the fans. I'm driving to work in 60* weather, and my fans never kick on and temps never rise above 190*. Make sure that there isn't a plastic grocery bag stuck between the condenser and radiator.

 

Thanks for the info- I checked the relay on the shroud and sure enuf on had a burt wire in it plus the coolent level was a little low so I put so in it, just came back from a 60 mile cruise on the feeway and it ran cool the whole time but thene I was not stoped at stop lights and what not. A friend works on cars is going to give her a lookies tomorrow. The cruise control does not work or the power antana- well with a Vette with 160000 miles on it you can not have eveything tiptop. I paid 10800.

 

The Vette was fixed today. The thermostat and a temp sensor was bad. Parts and labor 207.13 peace of mind--- PRICELESS> by the way this is the coolest car to drive CORVETTES RULE

 

Well that's good to hear. Little pricey but peace of mind is probably worth it.

LOL oh your just biased about Vette Ruling

 

Congrats on scoring a vette. Ain't they a trip to drive. I got mine last September and I still watch the temp gauge like a hawk. Up here in Beaver Land we use Celcius so I'm always listening for my fan to kick in at 104 degrees.

My Wife gets to drive the car most of the time as out town. She LOVES it.
Enjoy your TOY!

Larry

 

Congrats on the ride. Keep reading the forum and you'll learn how to fix all the other little maintenance opportunities that are bound to arise.

For instance, do a search on "antenna replacement" and learn how to replace the antenna mast that probably has a broken tape, causing your antenna to not go up and down. Easily repaired (comparatively) and only about $50 using genuine GM replacement parts (possibly less with other).

Get that LT4 running and looking nice and you'll be the object of much envy. Good luck, and enjoy the ride.

 

Hey Swifty, that sure is a good looking drop top. What is the best way to reach the motor for the power ant. The back tail light seames to be the only way. I put some WD40 on it and just pushed it in- I can live with that. I need to get some pic ASAP> Cheers

 

If you have very thin arms you can reach between the lower fender and muffler. There are 2 (i think 8mm) bolts that bolt the assembly to the bracket.

It is much easier to get to if you drop the mufflers. 5min job with an air ratchet and a 15mm socket.

Do you hear the motor running when you turn on the radio? Did the previous owner possibly install an antenna saver switch?

 

Yes the motor does run at start up so I think it needs a new wire thing. My driver side power seat will not go back and forth so I am going to switch with passenger side. I messed with for two hours trying to get that saft to spin. So I put the seat back in then it dawned on me just do the switch.

 

The design for the power antenna changes over the years. On my '88 I had to pull the whole assembly out to change the mast.

I have heard that the later years if you need to change out the mast all you have to do is remove the rubber grommet, remove the nut on top of the mast sleeve, pull out the mast and turn on the radio, slide in the new mast and turn off the radio and it will pull the new mast in.

Have you tested the switch for the drivers seat?

Good luck to ya.

 

Watching the Temp Gauge is about all I do while driving my car. if I got pulled over and asked how fast I was going, I would say "220 and climbing sir!"

Next week or so I plan to do the whole cooling check again.. mine has started running hot recently.. probably the fact it was parked one full year without running the engine... im thinking thermostat is bad..its already had a radiator flush since i started driving it again... fan doesn't always come on either..so the "always on" mod will be added soon.

Enjoy the vette! They are a headache most of the time, but when they work, it will be the best car you will ever drive!!!

 

I did the old switch arooo with the seats today. The driver side now goes back and forth so my wife can reach the clutch. Both seats do all the other stuff they do, just now the passenger seat is all the way back. I have a feel for the car now and took the targa top off and everbody is right about the shake rattle and roll. With the top on it is snug as a bug. This sunday I am going autocroosing it with a Corvette club from VA,BEACH, Last december I tryed it with my Z-28 and had a good time, the Vette ligher and more HP and better handaling should be outstanding. I an old motorcycle racer but broken bones dont heal fast when you are pushing fifty!

 

BRICKMAN,Did you get my PM or email?