QuestionMy 2000 Chrysler Sebring Limited Convertible overheated 2 days ago (very rapidly). Was fine yesterday. Today it overheated again. It appears that the cooling fan is not always engaging. I just went out again and the fan worked. What could be the problem.
AnswerHi Bonnie,
You didn't say whether it has released any steam or not, which would of course cause a loss of coolant. If that happened then it would be hard to be sure whether there might or might not be loss of fluid on the ground under the engine/radiator due to a leak, or out the tailpipe as steam when you first start the car in the morning which would mean a head gasket leak. So describe what you saw, other than the temperature gauge rising, and tell me if there is any fluid left in the overflow bottle, and did you add any fluid to the system via the filler cap and if so how much approximately.
And then tomorrow when you start the car see if there is a fairly noticeable and prolonged production of white smoke from the tail pipe or not.
And make sure that the system has coolant so that a lack of fluid won't cause an overheat. Then drive it and watch the temp gauge and when/if the gauge shoots up again stop and see if the fan is running (while the engine is still running of course). Also check under the car and look over the radiator near the bottom to see if you see any coolant on the exterior or the flanges at the bottom.
Then report back and we can go from there to figure out which of several possibilities is the cause.
The fan does not work unless you either turn on the AC, or without the AC if the engine is running above about 220F which is about 1/2 to 3/4 scale on the gauge. Otherwise, don't expect to see it running.
Roland
