Hello-

I have a 2003 3.8l Bonneville that stays cool because I kive in 90+ degree Florida! If I turn off the air conditioning the fans do not run... no overheating, but temp goes a tick over 200 and holds steady.
I looked around a little bit for some ideas, but do not know how to diagnose.
No overheat condition, but rad fans wont come on without the air conditioning...
Thanks!

From what you describe there is no problem and the cooling system is functioning normally.

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2004 Bonneville SE 151,xxx- 20% tint all around, 5% tint bar on windshield | 4500k DDM HID low | De-badged | Hardwired Passport 9500ix | FWI(inter-cooler piping) | FE2 Rear Sway Bar | Solid Motor Mount | 180* Stat | Firm Shift Kit



- '92 Bonneville SE - '85 Grand Am - '73 Catalina - '67 Catalina
- '87 Bonneville SE - '82 6000 - '78 Catalina [/color]

Sounds normal to me as well. I thought I had an issue as well (same diagnosis as you) but nope. Everything is okay.

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'02 Pontiac Bonneville SE 108,539 miles, N/A, SSEi exhaust system, boat roller mount. Gone, but not forgotten.
'13 Buick Regal GS 102k miles, 270 hp, 295 lb/ft, ZZP intake.
(yes, there is a story behind my avatar.)

Let the car idle in still air and see if the fans come on. They shouldn't until the coolant temperature reaches around 220 degrees, and should shut off when it gets below maybe 180.
If you keep moving the fan will almost never come on, the flow of air through the radiator is enough to keep things cool.

Roger.

If the gauge holds steady a tick above 200 while just sitting there idling, either the fans are coming on, or there is enough air moving through the radiator (a breeze) to keep temps in check.

As mentioned, fans don't come on low until 215 (approx) and hit high if it pushes beyond 225, or if they are required for air conditioning. It's very rare that the fans will ever run at high speed under normal conditions, aside from A/C.

If the fans are on low, it's possible they are running but you simply can't hear them. They should shut off once it cools down around 210 or so.

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~Randall~


1993 Buick Park Avenue - 197k - Some odds and ends done - Simply won't die
1994 Buick Regal - 78k - Bone stock - Always ready for a good kicking
1990 Oldsmobile 88 - Gone to a better place