Gee, and don't forget the operation of the fans with the a/c running. And how about the operation of the system when the car really DOES overheat? We could write a small novel, but alas, that wasn't what the OP asked.

Sorry if my reply wasn't complete for some, but if the OP was just looking for some verification or comfort level about the temps he's seeing, then that reply would have gone a long way to that with that simple test.

 

"First fan"? "Second fan?"

BOTH fans (plural) are designed to come at the same time, the only difference being whether they do so in either low-speed, or high-speed mode.

 

I worried about the temp of my `01 vert in traffic. I purchased a cool little device from SacCityCorvettes that you manually control the fans with. Very inexpensive and easy to install. Took me about 20 minutes. I think it's called a Cool-It II or something like that. They're a Forum vendor and really nice folks. The automatic function still works but you can override it with the push of a little remote button. Takes the worry out of driving in traffic on really hot days. But, make sure you're radiator and a/c condenser are free of trash. I also put a screen on mine to keep out the road debris. Like someone mentioned, they are bottom feeders. In the Fall I just reach under and brush the crud off the screen and I'm good to go. As Bill said, "running too cool is not good for these engines with their tight tolerances".

 

In the last 12 years , we actually modified this for 2000 year and newer cars so you will se how We designed the cooling system originally and then changed it slightly. ... if you search the forum you will see this post I made many many times as far back as 2002.

I was putting the OP a ease with his concern.. ... Those temperatures are normal for a C5. In fact temperature readings in excess of 235 are normal. Programed into the car are factory fan settings which control high and low speed fans and the on and off temperatures under certain conditions and driving speeds..
here are the factory programed fan commands.. ( I was very intimate in the development of this area.)
Depending on the model year...
For later model years:
The low speed cooling fan is commanded on when the coolant temperature reaches 108°C (226°F). It is turned off if the coolant temperature lowers to 104°C (219°F). The high speed cooling fan is commanded on when the coolant temperature reaches 113°C (235°F). It is turned off if the coolant temperature lowers to 108°C (226°F). When the A/C is on and the coolant temperature reaches 85°C (185°F), the low speed cooling fan will be turned on at vehicle speeds less than 56 kPh (35 mph).

For early model years we first wrote the algorithms for this and the oil life monitor both were revised in 2000. Please don't ask me how I know this.
Low speed fans come on at 219, high speed fans come on at 228, low speed with a/c on...

So you see, your temps are covered by programed fan settings.. which are very normal.
Bill aka ET

 

You are running well within the stock settings!

However you can purchase a handheld tuner and set the FAN On/Off settings to come on at a lower temp and keep things a bit cooler - plus recommended would be a 180* thermostat - But you must set the fan settings to come on earlier or it will not help (Lower thermostat)

Thanks,Matt

 

And what are your credentials for saying this?

 

Good info by E-T. And I would still take a look at the radiator area if you haven't already and make sure it is clean.

 

It's been said already

The low speed cooling fan is commanded on when the coolant temperature reaches 108°C (226°F). It is turned off if the coolant temperature lowers to 104°C (219°F). The high speed cooling fan is commanded on when the coolant temperature reaches 113°C (235°F). It is turned off if the coolant temperature lowers to 108°C (226°F). When the A/C is on and the coolant temperature reaches 85°C (185°F), the low speed cooling fan will be turned on at vehicle speeds less than 56 kPh (35 mph).

This is right from the tech manual

 

Gee fellas, I`m sorry if I opened a can of worms. I`m new to the Corvette world and was not sure if I had a problem. I just thought it was unusual for my car to read 225 idling when its 75 degrees outside. Yes, everything is clean and the fans are working. I do appreciate all the info I have read here.

 

So, which is it? Is there a low speed and high speed fan, or are both fans turned on together at either low or high speed? It's obvious from 8vette7's description and diagram, but everyone seems to be hung up on a low speed fan coming on at 226 instead of both fans coming on at low speed. Most don't even know that the fans are off at highway speeds either.

 

In case of conflicting advice, ET/Bill Curlee is the most reliable source as he was on the C5 design team and helped to create the Corvette you own. Nobody else here has credentials to match his personal, first-hand experience.

 

1 low 1 high. I just posted that..

 

Your fans are kicking on when they should, sounds like. However, I've had 4 C5's and none have ever read 225 in 75 degree weather. I would be concerned that the cooling efficiency was compromised somewhere if it was mine. If you've already checked the front of the a/c condenser and between the condenser and the radiator for debris, I don't have anything else to offer. You can always turn on the a/c to activate the fans to lower the temp when you're stopped in traffic. I'm not telling you something is wrong, the system is designed to operate as you say yours is, I just haven't seen the temp climb much over 200 in 75 degree weather.

 

The wiring diagram doesn't agree with you.

 

There's always the possibility of a clogged radiator or the presence of air in the system that needs to be bled out using the proper procedure.

 

Those are two different Bill's

 

 

They are? You learn something new every day....

 

ET Evil Twin is the former GM engineer and Bill Curlee is a retired USN guy who works on submarines (and Corvettes).
Both have been tremendous helps with C5 issues over the years.

 

Misprints or syntax problems can be found all throughout the Factory Service Manuals. FSM's are usually very good sources of information, but even they are not immune to error(s). Some of the copy I have read is so poor, I think grade school children wrote it and very poor proof-reading as well.