Nissan Repair: 1998 Nissan maxima overheating, nissan maxima, danger mark

Question
Hi,
  I have a 1998 Nissan Maxima and notice that when I idle the car without putting on the A/AC, the engine starts to over heat - i.e. the temp starts increasing rapidly and touches the danger mark. I opened the hood and found that both the fans next to the radiator were not working.

However, when I turn on the A/c, the temp comes down, to stabilize at the midway mark.

I did check the fluid levels in the radiator and the coolant reservoir - they are okay.

Please tell me what could be wrong and what is the most cost effective way of resolving this.

Thanks in advance
Julia

Answer
Julia,

Sounds like the fan relay is burnt out and needs to be replaced.  When you turn the airconditioner on it forces the fans to come on through a different circuit.  I would leave the airconditioner on until you get the regular fan relay replaced.  If the relay is good then the temperature sensor that feeds data to the computer would be the next logical replacment part.  A relay is around $14 bucks at Autozone or Checker or your local parts store.