Pontiac Repair: 2002 Pontiac Sunfire GT Cooling & AC Problems, pontiac sunfire gt, 2002 pontiac sunfire

Question
About a month ago I noticed my air conditioner would occasionally blow warm air.  I wasn't too worried since it worked fine most of the time.  I figured I had a small leak and needed to have it recharged.  

However, about 2 weeks ago my car started to overheat when I was at a stop.  I realized it wouldn't do it when I turned my air conditioner off as soon as I came to a stop.  I could turn it back on full blast as soon as I started driving and the temperature gauge stayed steady and normal.  

Then last week I went to the drive-thru pharmacy and had to wait awhile.  I turned my air off, opened the sunroof and windows like I had gotten used to, but after about 5 minutes it started to overheat so I turned my car off.  The temperature was still high when I started it back up, but when back to normal as soon as I started driving.

Is the problem with my thermostat, fan, or radiator?  Or something else with the cooling system?  Is there also something wrong with my air conditioner?  I'm going to take it to a mechanic next week, but I'd like to have some idea of what is going on.  I've had problems in the past where they try to convince me things are wrong when they're not.  I'd like to have some idea of what is wrong and an estimated cost to fix it.

I appreciate any insight you can give me.

Thanks.

Answer
Hi Amanda:

I think you have it narrowed down. the 2 issues are likley connected. I would look at a cooling fan for the radiator as the likley cause. It's could be a blown fuse for the fan or the fan it's self doesn't work. You can do this start the car open the hood and then turn the a/c on after about a minute or so running the fan should comes on. That is if the a/c compressor is running.. you can see the front of it it should be turning ( not the pulley that always turns but the front of the pulley should be turning as well if that is the compressor is working and after a minute the fan should tunr on due to high pressure in the a/c system it should turn the fan on well before the engine is hot enough for the fan to come on.