Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Engine Temp.

The temp goes up whenever i sit at idle for a few minutes (like waiting in line at Burger King). I have read the problems associated with a water pump that is about to go, but this seems different. It only does it when i'm idling and the heater works fine. Maybe the Thermostat?

While you're idling, there's not as much airflow across the radiator to remove the heat from your coolant. This effect is especially noticeable if you idle for a bit after driving on the highway, say, when you pull into the drive-thru at Burger King.

In other words, it's normal. Eventually, the temperature gets high enough to kick in the high-speed fan, at which point the temperature starts to drop.

The water pump has failed if the temperature gauge pegs "hot" and you aren't able to get hot air from the ventilation system.

dont be surprised to see the needle between the A and L then the fan comes on...or at least thats how mines is.

I had this problem, and figured out that the cooling fan wasn't comming on at all. It turned out that the plug had shorted out. I would check to see if the fan is comming on. To check it, put the car in park, and turn on the AC. Now look under the hood. If the fan is off, the fan is either bad, or it isn't getting power. Take a voltage meter and check the plug. If it isn't getting power, check the fuses. Hope this helps.