Mk3 2.0 overheat

[lunari]

Hey everyone,

I have a Mk3 Jetta 2.0 and am having some problems with it getting hot. I heard that when you turn on your A/C that the radiator fans should come on. I gave it a try and no dice. What is the first step I should take in fixing this?

Thanks!

[Anony00GT]

Define "getting hot". Is the gauge just creeping to the 3/4 mark, or pegging with boiling coolant pouring out?

Does the A/C work?

Does the car overheat in traffic or while at idle? While moving at 70mph on the highway?

Is the coolant level full?

[lunari]

Define "getting hot". Is the gauge just creeping to the 3/4 mark, or pegging with boiling coolant pouring out?

Does the A/C work?

Does the car overheat in traffic or while at idle? While moving at 70mph on the highway?

Is the coolant level full?

Hot as in going to 3/4 of the gauge, almost all the way

A/C hasn't worked as long as we have had the car, heat works great though lol

In traffic/around town and at idle, haven't taken it on the freeway long enough to check if it does it then. Don't want to take it too fast right now as I am getting a weird clunking/rubbing sound/vibration from the front since having a new clutch installed.

Thanks!

[Anony00GT]

If the A/C doesn't work, the fans won't turn on when you turn the switch on. The FCM commands them with compressor clutch engagement.

When the needle passes the 3/4 mark, are the fans running?

Do both radiator hoses get hot, or just the upper?

[lunari]

The car does cool off when you go on the interstate even briefly, haven't checked the bottom hose yet though.

[juancarv]

Don't wait until you blow the heater core. Believe me. Take care of that asap!

You might need to replace the thermostat if the lower hose is still "cool".

You might have to replace the fuse(s) in the fan module or the whole fan module.

check the fans by doing this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZCrTHcXo6Y

Run the "Heat" to help cool the water in the meantime (Little trick).

[lunari]

Don't wait until you blow the heater core. Believe me. Take care of that asap!

You might need to replace the thermostat if the lower hose is still "cool".

You might have to replace the fuse(s) in the fan module or the whole fan module.

check the fans by doing this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZCrTHcXo6Y

Run the "Heat" to help cool the water in the meantime (Little trick).

Does that work on a 2.0 as well?

[juancarv]

Yes.

My 2ltr was not lowering the temp while driving and I waited a little too long to replace the thermostat, that sucker wasn't opening so the coolant was not flowing through the system and was building pressure in the engine block. Blew up my heater core, not to mention the disaster the steam and coolant caused inside the cabin.