2003 Pontiac Aztek Logo
Posted on Mar 26, 2009
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Temperature sensor problem?

On my 02 pontiac Aztek the temperature gauge rises pretty quickly when stopped at a light or sitting for a few minutes, but as soon as I start moving again the temp falls back to normal about 1/2 way up the gauge. I have noticed that the cooling fans do not seem to come on, I have let the gauge raise to about 3/4 and the fans do not come on. If I turn on the A/C both fans come on and stay running. So far It has not overheated and I would like to keep it that way. I am ASSUMING the temp sensor might be going bad as is seems to cool back down indicating the thermostat is functioning, also the heater works fine indicating it is circulating fluid properly. so I am thinking it is just the sensor and am curious where the offending sensor located?

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Bruce Bracey

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  • Pontiac Master 1,000 Answers
  • Posted on Mar 27, 2009
Bruce Bracey
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There are 2 different circuit that control the cooling fans.
The engine controller turns the low speed fan circuit on to control temperature and turns on the high speed fan circuit if the engine and A/C is running.
It sounds like your low speed fan function is not working.
Find your fan 1 fuse located in the under hood fuse panel and make sure it is not blown. If OK go to next step.
Find your fan 1 relay located in the under hood fuse panel. Find another relay in the fuse panel that matches and swap the two. If the fan then works you know you have a bad relay.
If both are check good, let me know and we will go from there.
Below, I have attached the wiring diagram for your cooling system, hope it helps.
Regards,
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Mike Butler

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  • Pontiac Master 6,674 Answers
  • Posted on Mar 26, 2009
Mike Butler
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If you check in your power distribution box under hood, I believe relay # 2 is a rad fan relay, that could be a possible problem too. If other relays in the area are same number & 5 pins, or whatever yours is, you can try swapping them for testing it.

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No guages working

If all voltages checked ok, then most probably its faulty instrument cluster board on which gauges are connected. Yes if cluster circuit board looks ok, then also it can be faulty. Somewhere there is minute short or burn on board then such problem arises.


Also check the fuse box. One under hood and other under dash.

Inspect each and every fuse and see if all are fine or not.


---------------

For more troubleshooting on these cluster gauges I suggest you to refer the list of help links mentioned below. Its step by step instructions will help you to confirm the exact cause of problem in these conditions: ---------


Click the link below: ------


2004 Toyota Tundra: Oil Gauge and Temp Gauge Not Working?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/2004-toyota-tundra-oil-gauge-and-temp.html

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http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/heater-blows-intermittently-and-temp.html

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http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/temperature-gauge-does-not-move-and-no.html

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Thanks.

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Heat gauge goes way up,then by reeving motor it will go down.blows cold air

Check out related help links with solutions to troubleshoot the problem:---
Click the link below:---
2004 Toyota Tundra: Oil Gauge and Temp Gauge Not Working?


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http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/heater-blows-intermittently-and-temp.html
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Temperature gauge keeps fluctuating up and down close to red? http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/temperature-gauge-keeps-fluctuating-up.html
----------- Temperature gauge on the dash quit working on Pontiac Grand Prix? http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/temperature-gauge-on-dash-quit-working.html
-----------
Dodge neon gauges not working? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/dodge-neon-gauges-not-working.html

---------
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1992 Lexus LS400: Engine overheats, Antifreeze out of reservoir and heater Blows Cold Air? http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/1992-lexus-ls400-engine-overheats.html

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These details will help.
Thanks.

0helpful
1answer

Engine cooling fan will continually run,

It seems you are low in coolant. The temperature sensor has air to sense instead of liquid and temperature gauge will be low. Try to fill up with coolant but sometimes it's hard to get rid of air from the system. Have you changed the engine thermostat?
Hope it helps
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1answer

The temp gauge is not showing any heat but fan air is warm not hot .changed the temp sensor but still no gauge reading .the cooling fans on the rad are going all the time for about 5 mins even after i stop...

I am having the same problem with my 2001 Aztek. I changed the temperature sensor. It worked for a while and now its doing it again. One mechanic told me it problably needs a new thermostat. I might try that. Will try and report. If you have found a solution please let me know.
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1answer

Temp gauge will rise quickly then instantly pin in red and oil light comes on. Continue driving, after couple of minutes it will go down. The rise quickly and do it again, sometimes causes overheat sensor...

If this truck is not overheating, then I would suspect the temperature sensor, if it is overheating then this must be repaired first. The sensor should be mounted in the intake manifold. Hope this helps, let me know
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