That's the first I've heard of that craziness.
96 Coupe - fans vs heating
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Madera CA
96 Coupe - fans vs heating
I just bought a 96 Coupe. For once I have read the owner's manual. Not sure I should have! My vet cooling fans are coming on at 226-228 and switching off at 215-218. Is this normal? The manual states that if you have an automatic transmission that sitting idling can cause the car to catch on fire. So with today's freeways with stop and go traffic, and the fans functioning at this high of degree, will my car catch on fire? Geez. I love driving this car but am worried as I do not know much about the mechanics. Some advic would be greatly appreciated!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 785
Likes: 3
From: Richmond Virginia
those are factory settings and normal. Use the forum search engine you'll find many threads on engine temps/cooling fans etc. My pcm has been programmed to turn the fans on earlier (my personal preference)--many here still run factory settings with no problems so you'll be fine. The original owner of mine ran w/factory settings for 9-10 years and I didn't buy it at a fire sale 
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Madera CA
This is good news! Thank you! Yes, several people I have spoken to were questioning my senses until I showed them the book. Everyone who read it would state - "huh". Even the service manager at a chevy dealer. No one could state - yes the book is being overly cautious. Which is what I am guessing it is. I guess I will just have to see when I get stuck in stop and go traffic. I can guarantee I will not have any issues getting out if the book turns out to be correct. LOL!
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 11,773
Likes: 177
From: Rolla Missouri
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
St. Jude Donor '10 thru '25
It says don't leave your vehicle with the engine running.
What they mean by that, is don't go into the store and leave your car running unattended.
It will get hot, and under the right circumstances "might" start a fire.
These things sit pretty low to the ground, and the catalytic converters get very hot. So, if you were parked on grass you could perhaps start a fire.
You really shouldn't have anything to worry about under normal stop and go traffic.
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Madera CA
Thank you very much! I saw the section about the catalytic converter and dry grass. I understood that one. It was the one on page 2-30 that made me hesitate- "Leaving your vehicle with the engine running (Automatic Transmission Models Only) After the sentence about if the lever is not fully in park - "And, if you leave th vehicle with engine running, it could overheat and even catch fire. You and others could be injured. Don't leave your vehicle with the engine running unless you have to." Thank you all for the information. Living in a hot area 100+ degrees, I did notice that sitting at stop lights, the gauge would climb. I did have the radiator flushed and the screen changed as it was running at 240 and this did improve the temperature. With this statement in the back of my mind, I was overly paranoid. I think. Thank you! I will keep driving and getting to know my car!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 785
Likes: 3
From: Richmond Virginia
Thank you very much! I saw the section about the catalytic converter and dry grass. I understood that one. It was the one on page 2-30 that made me hesitate- "Leaving your vehicle with the engine running (Automatic Transmission Models Only) After the sentence about if the lever is not fully in park - "And, if you leave th vehicle with engine running, it could overheat and even catch fire. You and others could be injured. Don't leave your vehicle with the engine running unless you have to." Thank you all for the information. Living in a hot area 100+ degrees, I did notice that sitting at stop lights, the gauge would climb. I did have the radiator flushed and the screen changed as it was running at 240 and this did improve the temperature. With this statement in the back of my mind, I was overly paranoid. I think. Thank you! I will keep driving and getting to know my car!
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Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Madera CA
Thank you! This should tell you how new I am. Where is the digital temp gauge? I'm sorry, but the person I bought the car from was not the owner. He was helping the owner's widow sell vehicles - trucks, boat, toy hauler and vet. So I wasn't able to get an overview.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 951
Likes: 3
From: Placerville CA
The overheating (my characterization) issue has appeared here just about as frequently as discussions of the Opti. I can only repeat what I have said several times before: install a manual fan switch, and for an investment of $5 and a couple of hours your hot running at idle will be a thing of the past.
Some have said that the 220+ temps regularly reached under non-highway conditions are normal and that the engines are "designed to run at those temps."
If so, why did the same GM engineers put in a thermostat that tries to maintain 190 degrees? If 220 is optimum for this engine, why did they not use a 220 thermostat? Conversely, if GM engineers thought 190 was an optimum temp to maintain, why second-guess them with the "they like to run hot" argument?
Some have said that the 220+ temps regularly reached under non-highway conditions are normal and that the engines are "designed to run at those temps."
If so, why did the same GM engineers put in a thermostat that tries to maintain 190 degrees? If 220 is optimum for this engine, why did they not use a 220 thermostat? Conversely, if GM engineers thought 190 was an optimum temp to maintain, why second-guess them with the "they like to run hot" argument?
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 11,773
Likes: 177
From: Rolla Missouri
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
St. Jude Donor '10 thru '25
Thank you! This should tell you how new I am. Where is the digital temp gauge? I'm sorry, but the person I bought the car from was not the owner. He was helping the owner's widow sell vehicles - trucks, boat, toy hauler and vet. So I wasn't able to get an overview.
If you don't have one, you can purchase one from most of the online Corvette vendors.
You can also download a pdf copy here:
http://www.gmpartshouse.com/download...96corvette.pdf
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,075
Likes: 109
From: Longmont Co
The overheating (my characterization) issue has appeared here just about as frequently as discussions of the Opti. I can only repeat what I have said several times before: install a manual fan switch, and for an investment of $5 and a couple of hours your hot running at idle will be a thing of the past.
Some have said that the 220+ temps regularly reached under non-highway conditions are normal and that the engines are "designed to run at those temps."
If so, why did the same GM engineers put in a thermostat that tries to maintain 190 degrees? If 220 is optimum for this engine, why did they not use a 220 thermostat? Conversely, if GM engineers thought 190 was an optimum temp to maintain, why second-guess them with the "they like to run hot" argument?
Some have said that the 220+ temps regularly reached under non-highway conditions are normal and that the engines are "designed to run at those temps."
If so, why did the same GM engineers put in a thermostat that tries to maintain 190 degrees? If 220 is optimum for this engine, why did they not use a 220 thermostat? Conversely, if GM engineers thought 190 was an optimum temp to maintain, why second-guess them with the "they like to run hot" argument?
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Madera CA
Well, thank you everyone for the information. I was able to take my corvette to the coast and have a wonderful weekend. When I left home I set the digital gauge on and monitored the entire trip. The car averaged 193-198 degrees open highway, climbing mountains - with the air conditioner on. Stop at a stop light and the gauge would immediately start climbing 7-8 degrees in a minute. Day or night. One light was a little long and the gauge reached 228. I assumed the fans kicked on then. Comparing the digital gauge to the "idiot" gauge, many times the "idiot" gauge registered 240+ and the digital would be readin 204-208. So basic small town driving - Cambria, Pismo, Paso Robles the car never exceeded 228. Next, I will try some heavier town driving to see how this works before I take on the 405 in southern Cal.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,075
Likes: 109
From: Longmont Co
Well, thank you everyone for the information. I was able to take my corvette to the coast and have a wonderful weekend. When I left home I set the digital gauge on and monitored the entire trip. The car averaged 193-198 degrees open highway, climbing mountains - with the air conditioner on. Stop at a stop light and the gauge would immediately start climbing 7-8 degrees in a minute. Day or night. One light was a little long and the gauge reached 228. I assumed the fans kicked on then. Comparing the digital gauge to the "idiot" gauge, many times the "idiot" gauge registered 240+ and the digital would be readin 204-208. So basic small town driving - Cambria, Pismo, Paso Robles the car never exceeded 228. Next, I will try some heavier town driving to see how this works before I take on the 405 in southern Cal.
Glad you had a good trip, enjoy your car.
