Overheating in idle or stop and go

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slade

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I have a 2002 Lincoln LS V8.

My car overheats when it is idle to long, going up really long hills, and stop and go traffic. Usually I click the heat on to make it drop down but after that trick is performed that is it. My mechanic told me its not my t-stat, prolly a bigger problem. I have replace the fan solenoid relay (small square relay box #10)... I have picked up a coolant thermo sensor but can't figure where to install it. Need a shop manual.

I have been on the site reading. I think I found the problem to be the fan pump control solenoid or the fan pump actuator. Are these the same? If they are where are they located? What is it called in the shop manual.

I have very limited car lingo... The only car i had before this was my honda accord and I keeped it running with my the few skills i have. Meaning pictures and diagrams help alot.
 
Going up a long hill, if you are doing over 35 or 40 MPH, I don't think a fan problem would be responsible. Check your area between the a/c condenser and the front of the radiator for a huge buildup of leaves and stuff. That is where I would put my money. Take off the cover that dresses up the headlights and radiator and look down there. If you see a pile of :q:q:q:q built up, find a way to get it out. It is not an easy job, but it is possible with some compressed air and vacuum cleaners and attachments. I cleaned mine last year, after probably 9 years. It is a wonder it cooled at all. I also just replaced my radiator because it was no longer able to cool the engine, despite high speed fan operation. Problem was solved with a $150 new radiator.
 
It is not too difficult to expose the bottoms of the rad, oil cooler, condenser group. Remove the air deflector under the front of the car. Then, there is a rigid black plastic cover spanning the coils from side to side to prevent air from by-passing. It is held on by 2 plastic christmas tree fasteners, one on each side and up a little bit, and by 4 metal "grip clips" across the bottom of the radiator. Careful use of a hooked coat hanger will drag out the leaves from the bottom. The condenser is held onto the radiator by 2 cap screws.....easy to get to from below. There is enough flex in the refrigerant lines to ease the condenser away from the rad for cleaning.
 
milehighmikey said:
Going up a long hill, if you are doing over 35 or 40 MPH, I don't think a fan problem would be responsible. Check your area between the a/c condenser and the front of the radiator for a huge buildup of leaves and stuff. That is where I would put my money. Take off the cover that dresses up the headlights and radiator and look down there. If you see a pile of :q:q:q:q built up, find a way to get it out. It is not an easy job, but it is possible with some compressed air and vacuum cleaners and attachments. I cleaned mine last year, after probably 9 years. It is a wonder it cooled at all. I also just replaced my radiator because it was no longer able to cool the engine, despite high speed fan operation. Problem was solved with a $150 new radiator.
Click to expand...

That may be part of the problem, but the OP specifically states that his fan does not turn fast and does not speed up. His actuator has failed. That will have to be fixed. Going up hill puts stress on the engine and I assure you that it will overheat at low speeds (less than 60) if the fan isn't working.
 
You guys are awesome... Since i been on this site for two days:
~ Identified the major problem.
~ Found out what to do and the best way possible.
~ Found out the part name from a archive page: XW4Z-3783-CA
~ Identified another potential issue.
~ Found a shop manual for my car.

I will check the area above for leaves... I wouldn't be surprised if it was caked up too.

I went up the side of a mountain at about 35 mph and by the time I made it to the second part my temp sensor was at 3/4 to H.

Also, when ever my car starts over heating i always check and see if my fan has kicked in on high... its still running at its casual speed.
 
Just dealt with Max - he's a great guy and I'll be doing my second actuator replacement @ 192,000 on a 2000 LS6


That pump is a yw4z-8c628-b and comes with the actuator. Retail is $514.82 and LVC is $380.67 gold is $370.67. If you just know it is the actuator p/n xw4z-3783-ca it has a retail of $113.07 and lvc is $88.19 and gold is $81.41.

Thank You
Max Zuckerberg
Parts Specialist
Five Star Ford
7100 east Mc Dowell Road
Scottsdale AZ 85257
Direct 1-800-866-1520 ext 236
Fax 1-480-949-8478
parts@fivestarford.com
 
Well... i needed the job done asap since i was going out of town on Monday. I got this rocked out in no time... Part cost me $140 and my mechanic charged me an hours work since i did all the figuring out. It was really easy to get to. Took the Pass. tire off, removed panel on the side and using a long screw driver he had access to the area. He ended up draining my fluid and refilling. :shifty:

Thanks for all your help... this has been plaguing me since last year. We tested it and the fan kicked it up to high gear.
 
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