Engine over heating

We need rule out a few basic things to properly diagnose the overheating problems.
Step 1:Do you think?there is enough antifreeze in the radiator? Don t just look inside the plastic overflow bottle only, you should remove the radiator cap and then look inside the radiator.We should see the fluid level whether it is at its proper level or not. Most cars and trucks will hold a mixture of coolant and water .You should have the cooling system pressure tested for a leak if you have to add more than a pint of fluid .If we see any obvious fluid loss in the engine compartment or on the ground , we should also have the system tested.
Step 2:If you don not see any coolant leak or low fluid level , then you should determine when the overheating problems occurred.If the engine overheats only at a stop or idle ,Most front wheel drive cars will use an electric cooling fan motor located in front or behind the radiator. The existence of function of the cooling fan is to improve airflow across the radiator at stops and low speeds.The fan is controlled by sensors,it regulates the engine temperature and additional load that might be placed on the engine.The cooling fan is required by the air conditioning compressor to operate at idle when the compressor is on.It is a quick way to check the cooling fan operation to turn on the air conditioner.
Also the cooling fan should come on with the air conditioner compressor. Some automobiles will have two electric fans, one is the air conditioner condenser fan and the other is for the radiator .It will have a belt driven fan blade and fan clutch if your vehicle does not have an electric cooling fan on the radiator . This fan should be pulling a large amount of warm and hot air across the radiator onto the engine to keep it cool.The radiator fan is usually closer to the middle of the radiator. The radiator fan is responsible for cooling of the engine, while the condenser fan is responsible for increasing air conditioning efficiency at idle and low speed.If there is ample airflow across the radiator at idle. The radiator is responsible for the primary heat exchange for the engine, and airflow is crucial at this time.
Step 3:Again, we have ample airflow across the radiator, so we must inspect the proper antifreeze circulation.If there is a restriction in the system , it will produce the same affect.Water calcification can accumulate in the radiator and then drastically reduce the flow of coolant at a very high speed. Removing the radiator from the vehicle are the only two real cures for a clogged radiator.It be a waste of time and money trying to correct a restricted radiator when you use a can of radiator flush additive. Of course there are more technical issues that could produce an overheating problems, but the check list described above will identify the most common.Anything you can do to help the mechanic to deal with the problem will probably result in less diagnostic charges, and it might help insure a proper diagnosis of the problem at once of your 1993 Chevrolet Cavalier.
Step 4:You must inspect an electric motor cooling fan ,it will start with ignition key switch off, it has failed and needs to be replaced if the 1993 Chevrolet Cavalier fan motor does not spin freely . The electrical system operates the fan needs to be tested,If the fan motor "freewheels" that . Start the engine and then turn the air conditioner to the coolest setting, if your automobile does not have an air conditioner skip this step.The car air conditioner will operate the 1993 Chevrolet Cavalier cooling fan should activate within five minutes , the fan motor fuse must be checked first and the fuse condition is good the remainder of the electrical system must be checked.
Step 5:A wiring schematic is needed to further troubleshoot this problem ,which is located in a repair service manual. You may use the wiring schematic to trace the circuit through the fuse and relay components, if everything of 1993 Chevrolet Cavalier tests fine, the fan motor has failed and needs to be replaced. The most common repair is the cooling fan motor failure.
This isn't only theory. You can take these steps into practice.You can deal with the 1993 Chevrolet Cavalier overheating problems yourself.

probably not . There are fuses to check and a relay to check as well as the coolant temperature sensor to check . If the engine overheats when you have the heater on it suggests an air lock in the cooling system . Have the system pressure bled along with all the other checks.

start with using a meter to test for power start from fan back to switches need to check harness and connectors

My guess is that your electric fan is NOT operating at all. Under normal conditions, just going down the highway, your cooling system will function just fine without a fan running. The air flow through the radiator is adequate to keep things cool. However, when you stop, you quickly get into an "overheat" situation. Actually, you should be able to hear your fan begin operating when your engine temperature starts climbing or your air conditioner requires the fan to do its thing. Note: If you've ever severely overheated your engine, your problems may be worse than just a fan not running, but you really do need to confirm whether your fan is operating correctly, or not. Another note: I had a vehicle with a tendency to overheat when stopped. It turned out to be a faulty (leaking) pressure cap on the cooling system.

If you have a viscous fan hub have it replaced as it is not working. The problem you have is that the engine is not driving the fan to draw air through the radiator when idling so the engine overheats . When moving the air flow from driving cools the radiator and so the temp goes back down. If you have electric fans have the codes read to find the fault or check why the electric fans are not working.

Hi and welcome to FixYa I am Kelly.
You have 2 fans because one is the temperature controlled radiator fan that only runs when the engine water temp is above 160 deg. F. The water termperature controlled fan can run even with the ignition key OFF should the Engine water temp be too hot.
The 2nd fan is for your Air-Conditioner that should run when the cabin temp is set low enough for the Air-Conditioner compressor to run. This fan should run anytime the Air-Conditoner is switched on.
If your experiencing engine over heat problems when driving slow or sitting idle most likely the fan switch that is switched on by water temperature has failed. The fan switch controls a fan relay and if the relay fails the fan will not run. In this particular model there is a cooling fan module that controls the fan.

Read this link but DO NOT click on any links from that webpage: (They do not work)
http://www.fixautopartz.com/2009/03/20/2003-mitsubishi-outlander-engine-cooling-system

Thanks for choosing FixYa,
Kelly

After a jumper test on the fans to make sure that they work, you might take a look at your coolant level or temperature sensor. The try testing or replacing any fuses or relays wired into your air conditioning and heating circuit. In my 1998 Buick Regal, the fans never run until the air conditioner or heating fan is turned on. Unfortunately, the A.C. compressor and the cooling fans also kick in when I turn on the heater fan switch. Your best option is to wire the fans to a manual switch on your dash or just drive really fast all the time.

There is a fan control module in the engine compartment that you could try replacing. Rather than replace the temp switch, you could try shorting it's connector terminals just to see if the switch is the problem.

sounds like possibly the coolant fan inop check that

To properly diagnose your overheating problem we need to rule out some things.
First: Is there enough coolant/antifreeze in the radiator? Don't just look inside the plastic overflow bottle, but remove the radiator cap (when the engine is cold) and look inside the radiator. You should be able to physically see the fluid level if it is at its proper level. Most cars and trucks will hold 1 1/2-2 gallons of coolant and water mixture. If you have to add more than a pint of fluid you should have the cooling system pressure tested for a leak. If you see any obvious fluid loss on the ground or in the engine compartment, you should also have the system tested for leaks.
Second: If no coolant leak or low fluid level is present, then determine when the overheating complaint occurs.
If the engine overheats while at a stop or idle only:
Most front wheel drive cars use an electric cooling fan motor located in front or behind the radiator. The function of the cooling fan is to improve airflow across the radiator at stops and low speeds. The fan is controlled by sensors that regulate the engine temperature and additional load that might be placed on the engine.
The air conditioning compressor will require the cooling fan to operate at idle as long as the compressor is on. A quick way to check the cooling fan operation is to turn on the air conditioner. The cooling fan should come on with the air conditioner compressor. Some cars will have two electric fans, one is for the radiator and the other is the air conditioner condenser fan. Usually the radiator fan is closer to the middle of the radiator. The radiator fan is responsible for engine cooling, and the condenser fan is responsible for increasing air conditioning efficiency at idle and low speed.
If your vehicle does not have an electric cooling fan on the radiator it will have a belt driven fan blade and fan clutch. This fan should be pulling a large amount of warm to hot air across the radiator onto the engine. What you want to determine with either fan situation is that there is ample airflow across the radiator at idle. The radiator is the primary heat exchange for the engine, and airflow is crucial.
What if the engine overheats while at high speeds on the freeway?
Again, airflow and coolant circulation are crucial. At 55 MPH we can assume you have ample airflow across the radiator, so proper antifreeze circulation is the thing to inspect. I compare overheating at 55MPH to jogging with a sock in your mouth. The faster and longer you jog, the more air you are going to require, and with a sock in your mouth you are going to have to breath extra hard to maintain the proper amount of air to keep you going. At 55MPH the water pump is pumping a large amount of hot antifreeze throughout the cooling system.
If there is a restriction in the system like a kinked radiator hose, a restricted radiator, or a stuck thermostat, it will produce the same affect as the sock in the mouth scenario. Rust and water calcification can accumulate in the radiator and drastically reduce the flow of coolant at high speeds. Removing the radiator from the vehicle for disassembly and cleaning or radiator replacement are the only two real cures for a clogged radiator.
Using a can of "radiator flush" additive might help as preventive maintenance, but will probably just be a waste of time and money trying to correct a restricted radiator.

Hope this helps, best regards.