The car is overheating and when you first start the car the fan runs for maybe 15 seconds and then quits. What should i be looking to replace? Is there a method I can use to check to see if the fan is working by by passing swithches.

Sounds like you are starved for fuel. Look for a pinched off fuel line or a plugged up fuel filter. That would be my first place to start. Possibly even a bad petcock on the tank.

Maybe start with these 3 things: First verify that your radiator fans work. Since the car is already overheating, the fan or fans should come on as the temperature rises. The fans are supposed to come on after a certain temperature is reached, like when idling in traffic on a hot day. That temperature is higher than normal operating temperature by several degrees, so you need to verify the fan circuit is working, that the fan motor is good, maybe test the fan motors with jumper wires if not sure.

Second, You maybe should perform a simple pressure test of the cooling system. It is a sealed system under low pressure that helps to keep the engine from overheating. If it doesn't hold pressure, it might be leaking out somewhere, and that is definitely a problem that contributes to overheating. A shop could do a pressure test in about 15 minutes if the engine is already warmed up, so it should not be an expensive test.

Third, along with the pressure test, you also should do what is called a "block test" of the coolant system. This helps determine if a blown head gasket might be causing overheating-a common
cause of overheating. This test checks for exhaust gases in the coolant by turning a test dye a different color if exhaust gas is present in the coolant. This test is also pretty simple to perform, but a special tester is required which any shop should have. It should also not be expensive to have done-it only takes about 15 or 20 minutes.

If the fans work as they should and the coolant system holds good pressure and no exhaust gases are found, then you have to keep looking-maybe a water pump that doesn't circulate the coolant good from having badly worn impellers, or maybe there is some blockage in the radiator preventing circulation. A worst case scenario would be a cylinder head that has a flaw, like a broken or cracked assembly. Many possibilities. Also, if coolant is old, a good idea to replace it with new coolant, and a new thermostat, and possibly a new radiator pressure cap. If old coolant is dirty or sludgy looking, the system should be flushed. Good luck, I gave you a lot more than one thing to check, but overheating is so serious, you really need to find the problem before damage occurs.

The thermostat may be stuck closed (should overheat in 10-15 minutes, maybe less if you are driving in hills or with heavy load).

Otherwise, your fan many not be working. The fan should definitely start before it overheats and it should be running when it is in an overheat condition. Fan is on the back side of radiator.

runs forever but quits?lol maybe clogged fuel filter. Any fuel leaks?

WHEN CAR STARTING OVERHEATING MAKE SURE COOLANT LEVEL DIDNT GET TOO LOW. IF NOT I WOULD REPLACE THERMOSTAT AND RADIATOR PRESSURE CAP IF OVERHEATING WHILE SITTING IDLING COOLING FAN NOT COMING ON.CHECK COOLING FAN FUSE AND RELAY IF ALL IS GOOD.CHECK COOLING BY HOTWIRING IT.IF RUNS YOU HAVE A BAD COOLANT TEMPERATURE SENSOR OR FAULT IN WIRE CIRCUIT.IF FAN DONT RUN WHEN HOTWIRED REPLACE FAN MOTOR.IF CAR STILL KEEP OVERHEATING CHECK ENGINE OIL LOOKS LIKE MILK BLOWN HEAD GASKET.IF OIL LOOKS OKAY YOU NEED RADIATOR AND ENGINE FLUSHED OUT.

Sounds like you have coolant leak if you are loosing coolant or a bad thermostat. I would replace the thermostat, they run about $10. The other fan is an aux fan and will only run when the a/c unit is on.

if your car normally runs at 190, anything higher is abnormal, even if its not completely overheating. since it started to get hotter when you stopped, and didn't do it while running errands, i would check the electric cooling fans. when you're not moving along and not pushing fresh air through the radiator, this is when you need the fans to work. next time you stop and sit awhile, if the temp starts to creep up, get out and look at the fans and see if they are working.

There are a lot of things that can cause overheating. The first and most common is the thermostat sticking. Next is your radiator fan. Your water pump. Restricted radiator air flow. Make sure the front of your car is not restricted in any way, and the fins of your rad isn't plugged with bugs, or dirt.

Make sure the radiator cooling fans are both coming on when the A/C is turned on. This cools down the condenser which is mounted in front of the radiator. Dodge has had issues with the fan controls for years. There is a fan control module which turns the fans on when the a/c is activated or the engine temp reaches a prescribed level. I would replace the thermostat as well if the vehicle has been previously overheated or has high mileage. Good luck

Some cars cut off as a fail safe to overheating especially on newer cars. The computer controls the fans and if they are not working the computer is probably telling the car to shut off. Have you replaced the motors already, if not, this is what's happening. Once you replace the motors it should run fine. I wouldn't suggest driving it too much with this problem as it may affect the computer by giving it false info.