How to tell if your gauge (temp) is bad?

Don't know about the cold radiator could need flushed. To check the fans unplug the temp sensor and the fans should come on automatically and continue to run until you plug the sensor back up. If they don't you may have a bad fuse or bad fans. If they do come on (hopefully) try replacing the temp sensor. Some cars have 2 temp sensors. One is for the gauge and the other is a switch to turn on the fans. If your gauge goes up and down it's probably ok if not change the sensor.

Sets to use to check your van when overheating occurs: 1. Open the radiator on the Venture after the van has cooled off and shine a flashlight into the radiator to check the coolant level. If the level is low, add the proper coolant/water mixture to fill the radiator. Crank the Venture's engine and run the vehicle until the coolant begins to circulate and check the level again. Using the flashlight, check the radiator tanks and the radiator hoses for leaks. 2. Check the radiator cap by removing it while the Venture is cool and observe it closely for rips, tears or bubbles, which may diminish a tight seal and allow steam or coolant to escape from the radiator. Replace the radiator cap and start the engine, then check for leaks around the cap once the vehicle begins to warm up. 3. Observe the front and rear of the Venture's radiator for any damage to the radiator's surface, including cracks, breaks and/or clogs from road debris. Areas of particular concern for cracks and breaks are the seams of the radiator and the hose connectors since the Venture uses a plastic radiator. Check the radiator while cool and again while running and warm. 4. Turn off the Venture and allow it to cool until the radiator can be touched by hand. Test the radiator by hand, feeling along the outside from top to bottom. If the radiator is warmer at the bottom, it is functioning properly. Use an infrared thermometer, running it along the surface of the radiator from top to bottom to make the same assessment. 5. Remove the Chevy Venture's radiator cap and attach a pressure tester to the top of the radiator, then attach the radiator cap to the pressure tester, which will test both the radiator and the radiator cap. 6. Squeeze the upper and lower hoses on the Chevy Venture, checking to see if the hoses are firm or soft. A firm hose is still in good condition, while a hose that is soft and easy to squeeze had more than likely been damaged. Ventures are known to over heat...always keep and eye on your guage and check your fuilds frequently.

"Have replaced thermostat and water pump. Engine gets hot but radiator stays cold." No one had addressed this yet. Either the thermostat is bad, the thermostat is up side down, or the water pump is not pumping. You're not going anywhere until that radiator is cooling the engine.

did you replace fan clutch.? Louigi62000

It sounds like a blockage somewhere. Thermostat in correctly? You should be able to tell if the fans are running. Shut off the motor, then turn the van back on but don't crank the motor. You should be able to hear the fans running. Check the connections if they are not. Fusees need replacing. If you have electric fans, there is no fan clutch. Is the water pump the correct one? There are two types, one goes one way, the other is reversed and pushes the liquid the other direction depending on the type of belt drive you have.

to check your temp sensor start car and unplug the wire going to the sensor if the fan starts its probably working. you can also check the volts on the wires its pretty low voltage, 3 on cool engine and 5 on hot something like that. it will change with car temp,then its working,dont replace. i had my car overheat and did all this. it was the engine cooling fan.

Actually, We have had this problem. All you have to do is loosen a bleeder valve on top of the engine to let the air out of the line. It seems the water pump just spins air otherwise. Solved our frustrating problem. (loosen while cool with engine running, tighten after coolant comes out.)

im from philippines in a tropical country where temp goes hi... i have a venture 2002 model i have a overheating problem 1line before 3/4 of gauge i usually park at side street spray d radiator of a water while running to cool.it down i notice 1 fan doesnt turn on on d drivers side only the other side is turning i hope d gasket is.not damage or leaking ... cause 1 line before 3/4 reach in temp gauge thats the highest i ever my venture reach... tom il go to mechanic to check the fan and add a. additional aux fan to front of radiator making it 4 aux fan to avoid heating probs

Change thermostat, temperature Guage ,blower fan want come on car over heating

2001 Chevrolet venture running hot change thermostat temperature Guage blower fan want come on. When running at a high speed the temperature Guage go down no water coming out

1997 chevy aventure my temperature gauge is not working at all and fan to not came on any body know what is the problem with please I need help thanks

GuruDN8F, this sound like your temp sensor ism bad and in need of replacing. the sensor not only runs the instrument on the dash, but feeds information to the computer to turn on the fan/fans when the engine reaches a set temp to keep your engine in the correct heat range for best performance. Either change the sensor yourself, or have the computer read and test the sensor to make sure that is the issue. If not, it very well could be the computer itself or the relays to the fans not working. A quick single answer is not always correct. there is a lot of little things that can be causing this. The engine overheats due to the fans not coming on, or the fans are not given the signal to turn on. A good garage will not only find the problem, but give your car the inspection to make sure other issues do not pop up. A little money to a garage is a lot less than replacing an engine that blows up due to overheating.

Where is the heating and cooling sensor on a 2003 Venture Minivan

Underneath The Throttle body!

First check your temp sensor/switch, next your Fuses and 3 relays under the hood on the passenger side. Next your cooling fan using wires to bypass your relays. Last your ECM.

I have 2003 Chevy venture bought Few week ago I still can’t figure out why it keep over heat new radiator new water pump new thermostat new cooling sensor still no heat and still over heated I really have a headache with this van don’t no what the problem i need hel on this