Is it my temp sensor? The car does not seem to be running hot, and this just started 3 days ago. When I drive the car for less than even 10 minutes, the overheating light comes on, and the guage needle is peeged to the right.

The temp sensor near the coil has been replaced 3 years ago, would it already be going south? Or is it the other one near the thermostat? The car does not show symptoms of overheating and the fan does come on like it should. But the needle will keep going up (past 240)even with the fan on.

Any ideas would really help, and I appreciate it.

I doubt it is the sender.

You have some kind of major problem. Could be a simple as a bad thermostat or air in the system but it's still major and you've got to fix it or you will cook the engine.

If you had any recent work done where the car was jacked look for crushed coolant pipes under the car. See the relevant article in my cave.

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Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
(Jurasic Park)

The Ogre's Fiero Cave (It's also at the top of every forum page...)

just simply take the thermostat out and see if it still overheats...also look for circulation. might even be the water pump failed. good luck!

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Keith
Topsail Beach,NC
86&87 Fiero GT
86&96 Corvette
04 HD Softail
73 Lotus Europa TC
86 Lotus Turbo Esprit

check this: air in system,insufficient coolant, thermostat stuck closed.
how to do? wait until the engine is cool before slowly removing the thermostat cap.
remove the thermostat. visually inspect the thermostat for damage. replace(about 10$) it if valve stays open at room temperature!
have a look if there's enough coolant; if u can see into the engine u have insufficient coolant!!! add coolant up to the filler neck. reinstall the thermostat cap without thermostat! start the engine and let it idle for 2-3 minutes to bleed air from the system. stop the engine and remove the thermostat cap again and refill with coolant if necessary.repeat and make sure u have all the air out of the system! reinstall the thermostat and that's all. good luck!

Yes, pull the thermostat and run it again while leaving the hood up. As it warms up watch to see if your radiator fan goes on. Don't wait for the overheat light to come on, keep an eye on the gauge too. If the fan starts and it still gets too hot, do as already advised and check for air in the system etc.

I once had the plastic top to my temp sensor crack off which made the two wires going to the temp sensor touch making my temp gauge peg everytime it did. Did this for about a week until i figured it out and bent them farther apart.

Jason

wallyworld sells candy thermomiters for under $10 buy one and set it on the engine by the thermastat houseing. that will give you closer to a true reading, if you have money to blow buy one of the laser dot thermometers they are instant reading, and great for looking for hot spots in the cooling system. they are expensive tho, anywhere from 50 to 150 bucks.

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technology is great when it works
and one big pain in the ass when it doesnt.
Detroit iron rules all the rest are just toys.

im betting its the thermostar or waterpump, (that is IF the tubes arnt crushed)
when the car is "suposidly" over heating go up front and feel the radiatior hoses i bet there cold ... right?
my advice is remove thermostat, check coolent leval, run w/o thermostat see how it goes

if you DO replace the waterpump get one with the metal impellar not plastic

last time i bought a V6 water pump ( like 4 years ago) autozone had them for only like $14 i cant immagine they'd be much over $20 now

Thanks for the tips guys, I will work on this stuff today, and report back.

The coolant that low there is a leak someplace. Failing water pump seal or a loose clamp are good chances.

blkpearl, it's time to watch like a hawk for leaks!!!
even u can see apparently no leaks, check this:
the coolant tubs and the hoses!!! have a SPECIAL look at this coolant tube; it runs along the back side of the engine from the termostat housing to the driver's side coolant pipe. if it's cracked, there's a leakage AND U WILL NOT NOTICE THAT!!! WHY? BECAUSE THE COOLANT LEAK OFF TO THE CRADLE AND UNDER THE CAR IS NOTHING TO SEE!!! GO UNDER THE CAR AND MAKE SURE THAT THERE'S NO LEAKAGE. IT'S WEIRD BUT TRUE!!!! it was the hard way i found out on my fiero...

I will start to check for leaks.