Ok the 95 SL 2 is overheating.
1) Fan works when AC on, otherwise will not kick on, so we overheat.
2) Installed new GM engine temp sensor did not correct problem.
3) Heat gauge in dash goes up to a little over half way mark and then engine starts to overheat, gauge worked the same way before and after the new sensor went in before.
4) Switched out rad caps with the 99 Saturn just to eliminate that issue, didn't help.
5) Checked all fuses which are good.
So any ideas out there would be most appreciated.

 

How long will the car run from full cold before overheating?

 

Boy that is a tough question today since I have been working with all day it really hasn't cooled down, but I would say at least 10 minutes to 15 minutes sitting here in the carport. I'm in Tucson AZ so the air temp is already 93 to start.

 

Also pulled the fan relay and swapped it with the AC relay since they both appear to be the same. The AC ran fine with eitherr relay.
I am told the fan should kick in at 200 degrees at the temp sending unit. My thermal thermometer was reading 185 for the fuild in the overflow tank so I am pretty sure the fuild in the block was hotter.

 

Hmmm ...

I'd perform a complete engine/radiator flush and refill. Don't forget to clean out the overflow tank as well.

 

"Installed new GM engine temp sensor did not correct problem."


Did you replace the ETCS plug in connector thats been recommended in nearly every post on this subject?

 

Did not but can on Monday. The only thing I was thinking ( i could be out to lunch here) is that the gauge does work. So I thought the ECTS plug would be a work or complete failure with no gauge reading? Am I wrong and you can get a partial reading out of it?
I have had the damn thing off a couple of times so I getting familiar with how to do it!

 

If it didn't matter then it would not have been brought up.

 

This is a '95 vehicle --> sure hope he's changing the right sensor (the one with two wires)

 

indeed two wire is for the pcm 1 wire feeds the dash gauge