just got my 98 honda accord ex 2.3L auto this week, during the test drives and inspections everything appeared fine. prior owner had head gasket, radiator, plugs replaced. no transmission issues, all electrical worked great. CEL on, but i figured id scan it with a meter when i got time or just take it to the mechanic after i finished all the paperwork.

the prior owner noted he would keep the a/c on so the fans would keep the motor cool - didn't think to ask why, i was under assumption the head gasket and radiator being replaced solved the overheating problem. this morning i drove no more than a mile, and the temp shot up to max. i was running the a/c, thought i could feel/hear the fans running, but when i park to inspect and see what was wrong, the fans didn't kick on. also, i noticed a small drip of coolant on the ground - however the level wasn't low.

lesson learned with buying without having a mechanic do a full inspection, but now I just want to figure out what's wrong. from reading posts i gather it could be an issue with the thermostat or the fans. any tips would be highly appreciated. sorry for the "newbie"-ness!

 

Drive w/o AC until problem resolved. No fans w/ AC on suggests the fan motors are both bad. Check for 12V to fan connectors when fan should be running (AC on). If 12V is present, fans are bad.

Also check both fuses which supply the fans (under hood fuse box fuses 21 and 34). Small possibility both fan relays could be bad.

A cold system pressurized leak test should be performed on cooling system to locate any leaks.

good luck