I had a similar situation with my 1996 Mystique 4cyl Auto Trans. During the summer of 2001 I first noticed my car running warmer than normal, somewhere between the "M" and the "A" on the gauge. Between then and last month I replaced the thermostat twice. The first time with the stock Motorcraft thermostat, the last time was this past September. By this time the Temp needle was past the "L" and kissing the maximum end of the band. I then installed cooler 180 degree thermostat. This helped a lot. The car was almost back to normal. I had also replaced the Temp
gauge sending sensor, in case I had an incorrect reading, I changed the ECT, in case the computer was getting incorrect Temp info and not turning the fan on and off properly. None of that helped. I also flushed the cooling system, no help. I removed all of the bugs and other debris as well as straightened the bent fins on the front of the A/C condenser in case air flow through the radiator was being restricted. No help
Finally!!! Last month I found the source of my overheating. I was driving with the pedal to floor (going to church, right) when all of a sudden I had no more forward power. My transmission had gone out. I had no forward, only reverse worked. I drove 2 miles backwards at night. My passengers were not as amused as I was. Anyway $2000 and a new transmission later my car no longer runs hot. In fact
because of the 180 degree thermostat it is running too cool. After a half hour of driving my needle is at the "N". During a long drive on the highway the needle is at the "O". That's where it used to be when I first got my car. I will be re-installing the stock thermostat to bring up the temp.
Oh, my transmission went out at 147,000 miles. I hope this helps some one. I know there are a lot of over-heaters out there.
1996 Mystique GS 4cyl Auto Trans.
148,000 Mi.
