(see cliffnotes at bottom)
I have been having some odd issues lately, like several users here, with overheating, electric fan not coming on at the right temp, and so on. My battery gauge would show that I would slowly loose voltage and temp gauge would go up.
Long story short, I have been dealing with these issues for the past few months, even when cool outside. I have replaced radiator, 180 t-stat, coolant flush, checked waterpump, and have a switch for manual control of the fan. Still having issues. Have been searching like crazy on every forum possible and started reading about all the issues caused by not having good grounds.
I checked my grounds and negative battery cable and not only were they all a little corroded, but not secured very tight either. I replaced battery cable, new terminal, put 2 ground wires from block to frame under then engine, and added one ground from intake to firewall, making sure to sand all surfaces first.
BAM!!!! Instantly could tell dash lights were brighter, battery gauge was at half or a little over, temp gauge stayed on N even after 20 min. drive around town. Plus, my other gauges, which have been reading funny, were all on par as well. I know this won't help everyone, but it is quick and easy to check and came fix alot of headache!!! Heck, even helped my erratic idle.
Cliffnotes: Check ground wires and battery cables. Replace if necessary. Add an additional ground or two for peace of mind.
I have been having some odd issues lately, like several users here, with overheating, electric fan not coming on at the right temp, and so on. My battery gauge would show that I would slowly loose voltage and temp gauge would go up.
Long story short, I have been dealing with these issues for the past few months, even when cool outside. I have replaced radiator, 180 t-stat, coolant flush, checked waterpump, and have a switch for manual control of the fan. Still having issues. Have been searching like crazy on every forum possible and started reading about all the issues caused by not having good grounds.
I checked my grounds and negative battery cable and not only were they all a little corroded, but not secured very tight either. I replaced battery cable, new terminal, put 2 ground wires from block to frame under then engine, and added one ground from intake to firewall, making sure to sand all surfaces first.
BAM!!!! Instantly could tell dash lights were brighter, battery gauge was at half or a little over, temp gauge stayed on N even after 20 min. drive around town. Plus, my other gauges, which have been reading funny, were all on par as well. I know this won't help everyone, but it is quick and easy to check and came fix alot of headache!!! Heck, even helped my erratic idle.
Cliffnotes: Check ground wires and battery cables. Replace if necessary. Add an additional ground or two for peace of mind.