Car is reaching 220 when i idle...fans dont come on

-Make sure there is full of water (Coolant) in the engine and radiator.
-If it's full but still keep over heat and the fan never turn on when it reach very hot (About 210 to 220*)
If so. Then check the thermostat. it works properly or not when it reach to 175*-180 and up...?
-Here how to test: Remove it from the car and put in a cooking pot
then boil. You need to have a temperature gage. Dip it in and watch. When it reach to 175 to 180 * if the thermostat start to open then it work properly. But if it never open or just little then you need to replace it.
-If it works good then next test the cooling fan switch.
Same procedure but this time you need a voltmeter to check in (Ohm)
-The water need to be above 220* to 230* to be able to
activate the switch ON.
-If No reading at all at 220-230* or more then possibly the switch is not working.
-If it's working then next check the two wire that connect to the switch. It should has 12 volt power there with the key on. If not then the fuse is burn. Check and replace it.

Good Luck

Mai Lor

The most common reason for running hot at idle is the radiator fan is not running or pulling enough air thru the radiator. If you have a fan for the engine and one for the ac, the engine fan may not be working.
The radiator fan should come on when the coolant reaches 220 degrees. The computer sends a signal to the fan relay.

Your electric fan should come on around 220 degrees or so, if it does not you need to replace the sensor on the left front side of the block. The fan should come on immediately if you have AC and turn it on. If it does not check the relay in the fuse box under the hood, and related fuses. Unplug the electric fan and turn the ac on and check for power. It could be your fan motor quit. Usually if the fan does not come on when the AC is turned on, and it does not come on when car reaches 220 degrees, the motor is most likely the culprit.

180--------have radiator tested soon along with the waterpump

If there is bubbles occurring even inside the top part of the radiator (where you have the coolant put in), you may have a leak on your head gasket. You may be loosing coolant through the engine.

that what fan suppose to do.when engine coolant temperature rise to 190 - 220 degrees the coolant fan will run cooling engine down to 180 degrees.

The cooling fans on this vehicle won't come on unless the a/c is on or until the engine coolant temperature reaches about 220 degrees. Once the coolant has reached this temperature the fans will come and and run until the engine cools down to about 210 degrees and they will then turn off until the temperature climbs up again. The fans usually aren't on at all at highway speeds because enough air is being forced through the radiator to keep everything cool. The true test of cooling fan operation is to allow the car to idle in park with both the a/c and defrost turned off and let it run until the fans come on. When The temp gauge reaches about 3/4 of the way up, give or take a bit, the fans should come on. Keep an eye on the gauge so the engine doesn't overheat just in case there really is a fan control problem but I'd say you'll most likely find that the fans are working properly since they do come on for the a/c. Hope this helps!

the fan only runs when the coolant temp reaches 225-230 degrees F, the temp will not remain constant, it will climb towards hot and then the fan will engage and bring it down, this is normal operation

Not familiar with hydraulic fans, but it seems that yours is not working.

Reliants run very hot normally, but you are definitely having a cooling problem. More than likely your thermostat is stuck in the open position. The reliant comes with a 220 degree thermostat, and what that means is that it doesn't kick in until 220 degrees before your fan goes on to cool down the radiator. It is much better to switch to a 180 degree thermostat, which will kick in sooner to cool everything down. Your Reliant also came with a single core radiator, which is also part of the cooling problem on these cars. It is a far better idea to switch to a dual core radiator. Between the 180 thermostat and the dual core radiator, your cooling problems will be a thing of the past.

Peace,

Chief