1996 over heating
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 11,770
Likes: 175
From: Rolla Missouri
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
St. Jude Donor '10 thru '25
Although they should come on by the 230 temp you list, that temp really isn't that hot and nothing to be worried about yet.
Let it run a little longer (say up to 240°F) and see if the fans come on.
1996 factory fan settings:
The PCM will command low speed fans ON at
104°C (219°F) and OFF at 98°C (207°F) and, high
speed fans ON at 109°C (228°F) and OFF at 103°C (214°F)
Note: On the '96, both fans run together (either low or high).
Also, Running the A/C will cause the fans to run.
With the proper coolant mix and pressure cap, your car won't "overheat" until close to 265°F
I know that is getting way up there, and you don't want to let it get that hot.
But just throwing it out there because the coolant won't "boil" until that temp under pressure.
GM says to shut it down at 260°F
So, 240°F - 245°F as a test to see if the fans ever come on isn't going to hurt anything.
Before your car actually does overheat you will (or should) get a red warning light on the dash to "check gauges".
Not sure what temp triggers that light though.
Last edited by RollaMo-LT4; Mar 20, 2014 at 08:34 PM. Reason: correct typo
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 838
Likes: 2
From: Louisville Ky
my guess is that the fans are not coming on because the gauge temp and the ecm temp are different. I don't believe the engine is getting to 230-250 in winter time. I'm not familiar with the digital sensor/sender but have seen temp senders read 30 degrees high right out of the box.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 11,770
Likes: 175
From: Rolla Missouri
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
St. Jude Donor '10 thru '25
That is why I suggested to let it run a little longer, just to see if the gauge might be reading a little off.
Although the digital gauge is reading from the same CTS as the ECM, it is worth a shot just to see if the fans come on a little later.
