I have replaced the thermostat, and this helped for the most part. However, the temp guage still goes way up to the red zone - but only occassionally and only in city traffic. It moderates fine while driving at speed.

I have witnessed the cooling fan running both with the Engine on and with the engine off, so I am assuming the Thermo Switches are OK. Not sure this is a valid assumption.

The car only seems to do this occassionally - on hot days and in city driving.

The car has been to a radiator shop twice: the first timme they couldn't figure it out so they flushed/filled the cooling system and called it good. The problem persists.

Took it back to the radiator shop and they still can't find anything. They claimed the coolant level was low, but they had just flushed/filled it 2 weeks ago.

Any chance I need to replace the thwermoswitches - even though the cooling fan runs as expected? Any other ideas?

Thanks!

 

Do both fans turn on when you have the car running and turn on the a/c? How much coolant had to be added after 2 weeks?

Here is a good DIY page about troubleshooting the cooling system.

techautorepairs.com/overheating.html

 

Yes, both fans run if Engine is running AND AC is on.

Not sure how much coolant the radiator shop added, if any. The coolant level read at the High mark on the reservoir BEFORE taking it to the radiator shop, and afterwards, it looked to be at the same level.

Thanks for the link to the DIY page... I'll check it out.
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1997 Accord SE

 

When the engine is cold, you should remove the radiator cap and see if the fluid is filled to the top of the radiator.

 

"tbrower"- Might be splitting hairs here "Yes, both fans run if Engine is running AND AC is on". "AND" being my question. With the AC off, both fans do cycle on and off as the car warms up? After checking what PA suggested, please be sure to bleed the cooling system as well.