Overheating '97 Accord
 

Hey guys, haven't been on the site for a while. My son is driving my '97 Accord. Lately he's noticed that the car will start to overheat whenever he's stopped at a traffic light. As soon as he starts moving again, the temp drops back to normal. He's off at school, so I haven't been able to look at the car but I'm suspecting that the cooling fans aren't coming on. What can I direct him to look at or check, related to the fans?
Thanks,
Brent

If AC works have him check for both fans (correct) to come on w/ AC./

If one fan is not coming on, a faulty fan motor is likely. Less likely is faulty fan relay. Check for 12V to fan motor to confirm motor is fault.

If both fans are off, it could be either two bad fans or more likely, a faulty thermoswitch A.

Thermoswitch A is located on the thermostat housing below/behind the distributor. To check the thermoswitch A, pull the connector to the switch and jumper pins w/ a paper clip. If both fans come on immediately (w/ or w/o AC on), then thermoswitch A is bad.

If both fans stay off, then fans are bad, or possibly both fan relays (under hood fuse box) are faulty (unlkely). You can check for voltage to fan connectors to confirm faulty fan motors.

good luck

TexasHonda, the A/C isn't working for the time being until I replace a bad compressor. I'll check the thermoswitch and see what happens. Thanks for the quick reply.

You can short thermoswitch A harness side connector and both fans will come on immediatley w/ keyswitch to On.

good luck