Nissan Repair: 2000 maxima overheating., traveling at high speeds, radiator hose

Question
i have a 2000 maxima, 5spd. for about 1.5 years, the fans(both)have not been cutting on, causing my engine to ovreheat. a/c and heat work mainly when traveling at high speeds. within the last 2 months, noticed radiator was spewing out fluid when i overheat(not from cap, but some other place on top right).my car will overheat in a matter of minutes after it gets to normal running temp. does my car have a fan clutch? what steps should i take? im not a car guy at all.thanks!

Answer
Hi Ben -

First of all, run the car for a few minutes until operating temp, or if it just begins to overheat. Feel the top radiator hose and then the lower one. If one of the hoses is cool while the other is hot, then replace the thermostat and you should be good to go.

If both are hot or warm, then you have fan issues and need to check power to the fan, relay, and switch. Please get back to me if you need instructions on how to diagnose the fan circuits.

Note: The fan may not turn on if the thermostat is not working.

Hope this helps -
aloha
calvin