07 - Cooling / Diagnosis and Testing

COOLING SYSTEM

CONDITION POSSIBLE CAUSE CORRECTION

TEMPERATURE GAUGE 1. Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) has 1. Replace thermostat, if necessary. If a
READS LOW been set indicating a stuck open engine (DTC) has not been set, the problem
thermostat. may be with the temperature gauge.

2. Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor. 2. Check connector at Engine Coolant

Temperature Sensor. Repair as
necessary.

3. Inoperative temperature gauge. 3. Check gauge operation (Refer to 08 -

Electrical/8J - Instrument Cluster -
Operation) .

4. Coolant level low during cold ambient 4. Check coolant level in the coolant
temperature, accompanied by poor heater recovery/reserve container and the
performance. radiator. Inspect the system for leaks.
Repair as necessary. Refer to
WARNINGS in this section before
removing pressure cap.

TEMPERATURE GAUGE 1. Trailer being towed, a steep hill being 1. This may be a temporary condition
READS HIGH OR ENGINE climbed, vehicle being operated in slow and repair is not necessary. Turn off the
COOLANT WARNING LAMP moving traffic, or engine idling during high air conditioning and drive the vehicle
ILLUMINATES. COOLANT ambient (outside) temperatures with air without any of the previous conditions.
MAY OR MAY NOT BE LOST conditioning on. High altitudes could also Observe the temperature gauge. The
FROM SYSTEM. cause these conditions. gauge should return to the normal
range. If the gauge does not return to
the normal range, determine the cause
of the overheating and repair.

2. Inoperative temperature gauge. 2. Check gauge operation (Refer to 08 -

Electrical/8J - Instrument Cluster -
Operation) .

3. Is temperature warning lamp (if 3. Check warning lamp operation (Refer

equipped) illuminating unnecessarily? to 08 - Electrical/8J - Instrument
Cluster/INDICATORS, Instrument
Cluster - Operation) .

4. Coolant low in recovery/reserve bottle 4. Check for coolant leaks and repair as
and radiator? necessary.

5. Pressure cap not installed tightly. If cap 5. Tighten cap.

is loose, boiling point of coolant will be
lowered. Also refer to the following step 6.

6. Poor seals at pressure cap. 6. (a) Check condition of cap and cap
seals (Refer to 07 -
Cooling/Engine/CAP, Radiator -
Diagnosis and Testing) . Replace cap if
necessary.

(b) Check condition of filler neck. If neck

 is warped or damaged, replace neck.

7. Coolant level low in radiator, but not in 7. (a) Check condition of pressure cap
coolant recovery/reserve bottle. This and cap seals. Replace cap if
indicates the radiator is not drawing necessary.
coolant from the coolant recovery/reserve
bottle as the engine cools. As the engine (b) Check condition of filler neck.
cools, a vacuum is formed inside the Replace if damaged.
cooling system. If the pressure cap seals
are defective, or the cooling system has a (c) Check condition of hose from filler
leak, a vacuum cannot be formed. neck to coolant container. It should be
tight at both ends without any kinks or
tears. Replace hose as necessary.

(d) Check coolant recovery/reserve

bottle and hose for blockage. Repair as
necessary.

8. Freeze point of coolant not correct. 8. Check coolant concentration (Refer to

Mixture ratio may be too rich. 07 - Cooling/Engine/COOLANT -
Diagnosis and Testing) . Adjust glycol-
to-water ratio as required.

9. Coolant not flowing through system. 9. Check for coolant flow at filler neck
with some coolant removed, engine
warm, and thermostat open. Coolant
should be observed flowing through filler
neck. If flow is not observed, determine
reason for lack of flow and repair as
necessary.

10. Radiator air seals missing or 10. Inspect air seals. Correct as
improperly installed. necessary.

11. Radiator or A/C condenser fins are 11. Clean obstruction from fins.
dirty or clogged.

12. Radiator core is plugged or corroded. 12. Replace or clean radiator.

13. Fuel or ignition system problems. 13. Refer to the appropriate Powertrain
Diagnostic Procedure manual.

14. Dragging brakes. 14. Inspect brake system and repair as

necessary (Refer to 05 - Brakes -
Diagnosis and Testing) .

15. Bug screen or other aftermarket 15. Remove bug screen or accessory.
accessory is being used causing reduced
air flow.

16. Thermostat partially or completely 16. Check thermostat operation and

closed. replace as necessary (Refer to 07 -
Cooling/Engine/THERMOSTAT -
Removal) .

17. Cooling fan not operating properly. 17. Check electric fan operation and
repair as necessary.

18. Cylinder head gasket leaking. 18. Check cylinder head gasket for
leaks (Refer to 07 - Cooling - Diagnosis
and Testing) .
 19. Heater core leaking. 19. Check heater core for leaks.

TEMPERATURE GAUGE 1. The gauge may cycle up and down. This 1. A normal condition. No correction is
READING IS is due to the cycling of the electric radiator necessary. If gauge cycling is the hot
INCONSISTENT fan. zone, check electric fan operation and
(FLUCTUATES, CYCLES OR repair as necessary.
IS ERRATIC)

2. During cold weather operation with the 2. A normal condition. No correction is

heater blower in the high position, the necessary.
gauge reading may drop slightly.

3. Temperature gauge or Engine Coolant 3. Check gauge operation (Refer to 08 -

Temperature Sensor is defective or Electrical/8J - Instrument Cluster -
shorted. Operation) .

4. Gauge reading rises when vehicle is 4. A normal condition. No correction is

brought to a stop after heavy use (engine necessary. The gauge should return to
still running). normal range after vehicle is driven.

5. Gauge reading high after restarting a 5. A normal condition. No correction is

warmed-up (hot) engine. necessary. The gauge should return to
normal range after a few minutes of
engine operation.

6. Coolant level low in radiator (air will 6. Check and correct coolant leaks.
build up in the cooling system causing the
thermostat to open late).

7. Cylinder head gasket leaking allowing 7. (a) Check for cylinder head gasket
exhaust gas to enter cooling system. This leaks using Tool C-3685-A Block Leak
will cause thermostat to open late. Tester or the equivalent. Repair as
necessary.

(b) Check for coolant in the engine oil.

Inspect for white steam emitting from
exhaust system. Repair as necessary.

8. Water pump impeller loose on shaft. 8. Check water pump and replace as
necessary.

9. Air leak on the suction side of water 9. Locate leak and repair as necessary.
pump allows air to build up in cooling
system. This will cause the thermostat to
open late.

PRESSURE CAP IS 1. Pressure relief valve in pressure cap is 1. Check condition of pressure cap and
BLOWING OFF STEAM defective. seals (Refer to 07 -
AND/OR COOLANT Cooling/Engine/CAP, Radiator -
FLOWING INTO RECOVERY Diagnosis and Testing) . Replace as
BOTTLE. TEMPERATURE necessary.
GAUGE READING MAY BE
ABOVE NORMAL, BUT NOT
HIGH. COOLANT LEVEL
MAY BE HIGH IN
RECOVERY BOTTLE.

COOLANT LOSS TO THE 1. Coolant leaks in radiator, cooling system 1. Pressure test cooling system and
GROUND WITHOUT hoses, water pump or engine. repair as necessary.
PRESSURE CAP BLOWOFF.
GAUGE IS READING HIGH
OR HOT.

DETONATION OR PRE- 1. Engine overheating. 1. Check reason for overheating and

IGNITION (NOT CAUSED BY repair as necessary.
IGNITION SYSTEM).
GAUGE MAY OR MAY NOT
BE READING HIGH.

2. Freeze point of coolant not correct. 2. Check the freeze point of the coolant
(Refer to 07 -
Cooling/Engine/COOLANT - Diagnosis
and Testing) . Adjust glycol-to-water
ratio as required.

HOSE OR HOSES 1. Vacuum created in cooling system on 1. (a) Pressure cap relief valve stuck
COLLAPSE WHEN ENGINE engine cool-down is not being relieved (Refer to 07 - Cooling/Engine/CAP,
IS COOLING through coolant recovery/reserve system. Radiator - Diagnosis and Testing) .
Replace as necessary.

(b) Hose between coolant

recovery/reserve bottle and outlet
connector is kinked. Repair as
necessary.

(c) Vent at coolant recovery/reserve

bottle is plugged. Clean vent and repair
as necessary.

(d) Recovery/reserve bottle is internally

blocked or plugged. Check for blockage
and repair as necessary.

RADIATOR FAN OPERATES 1. Malfunctioning electrical component or 1. Refer to appropriate Powertrain

ALL THE TIME circuit. Diagnostic Procedures. Repair as
necessary.

2. Check for low coolant level. 2. Repair as necessary.

RADIATOR FAN WILL NOT 1. Fan motor defective. 1. Refer to appropriate Powertrain
OPERATE, GAUGE Diagnostic Procedures manual for
READING HIGH OR HOT operation of the scan tool. Repair as
necessary.

2. Fan relay, powertrain control module 2. Refer to appropriate Powertrain

(PCM) or engine coolant temperature Diagnostic Procedures manual for
sensor defective. operation of the scan tool. Repair as
necessary.

3. Blown fuse in power distribution center 3. Determine cause for blown fuse and
(PDC). repair as necessary.

NOISY FAN 1. Fan blade loose. 1. Replace radiator fan assembly.

2. Fan blade striking a surrounding object. 2. Locate point of fan blade contact and
repair as necessary.

3. Air obstructions at radiator or A/C 3. Remove obstructions and/or clean

condenser. debris from radiator and/or A/C
condenser.

4. Electric fan motor defective. 4. Replace radiator fan assembly.

INADEQUATE AIR 1. Electric radiator fan not operating when 1. Refer to appropriate Powertrain
CONDITIONER A/C is on. Diagnostic Procedures manual for
PERFORMANCE (COOLING operation of the scan tool. Repair as
SYSTEM SUSPECTED) necessary.

2. Radiator and/or air conditioning 2. Remove restriction and/or clean as

condenser is restricted, obstructed or dirty. necessary.

3. Radiator air seals missing or improperly 3. Inspect air seals. Repair as

installed. necessary.

4. Engine is overheating (heat may be 4. Correct overheating condition. Refer

transferred from radiator to A/C to this section.
condenser). High underhood temperature
due to engine overheating may also
transfer heat to A/C components.

INADEQUATE HEATER 1. Has a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) 1. Refer to Powertrain Diagnostic
PERFORMANCE been set? Procedures.

2. Coolant level low. 2. Check cooling system for leaks.

Repair as necessary.

3. Obstructions in heater hose fittings at 3. Remove heater hoses at both ends

engine. and check for obstructions. Repair as
necessary.

4. Heater hose kinked. 4. Locate kinked area and repair as

necessary.

5. Water pump is not pumping coolant 5. Check accessory drive belt operation.
through the heater core. When the engine Repair as necessary.
is fully warmed up, both heater hoses
should be hot to the touch.

HEAT ODOR 1. Various heat shields are used at certain 1. Locate missing shields and replace or
components. One or more of these shields repair as necessary.
may be missing.

2. Is temperature gauge reading above the 2. Check gauge operation (Refer to 08 -

normal range? Electrical/8J - Instrument Cluster -
Operation) .

3. Is cooling fan operating correctly? 3. Repair as necessary.

4. Has undercoating been applied to any 4. Clean undercoating as necessary.

unnecessary component.

5. Engine may be running rich causing the 5. Refer to appropriate Powertrain

catalytic converter to overheat. Diagnostic Procedures manual for
operation of the scan tool. Repair as
necessary.

POOR DRIVEABILITY 1. Has a diagnostic trouble code (DTC ) 1. Refer to the Powertrain Diagnostic
(THERMOSTAT POSSIBLY been set? Procedure manual for checking a DTC
STUCK OPEN). GAUGE related to the thermostat.
MAY BE READING LOW

STEAM IS COMING FROM 1. During wet weather, moisture (snow, ice 1. Occasional steam emitting from this
FRONT OF VEHICLE NEAR or rain condensation) on the radiator will area is normal. No repair is necessary.
GRILLE AREA WHEN evaporate when the thermostat opens.
WEATHER IS WET, ENGINE This opening allows heated water into the
IS WARMED UP, RUNNING, radiator. When the moisture contacts the
AND VEHICLE IS hot radiator, steam may be emitted. This
STATIONARY. usually occurs in cold weather with no fan
TEMPERATURE GAUGE IS or airflow to blow it away.
IN NORMAL RANGE.

COOLANT COLOR 1. Coolant color is not necessarily an 1. Check the freeze point of the coolant
indication of adequate corrosion or (Refer to 07 -
temperature protection. Do not rely on Cooling/Engine/COOLANT - Diagnosis
coolant color for determining condition of and Testing) . Adjust the glycol-to-water
coolant. ratio as required.

COOLANT LEVEL 1. Level changes are to be expected as 1. A normal condition. No repair is

CHANGES IN COOLANT coolant volume fluctuates with engine necessary.
RECOVERY/RESERVE temperature. If the level in the bottle was
BOTTLE between the FULL HOT and ADD marks at
normal engine operating temperature, the
level should return to within that range
after operation at elevated temperatures.