I have a 1989 Honda Accord Ex with an intermittent cooling problem.

Gage.. generally stays the halfway mark but out of the blue starts climbing to HOT.. may be hot foe 15 seconds then back down below the halfway mark on the temp gage.. then go back up.. after a while goes up and stays up at HOT.

Fan runs when AC is on (but car still runs hot even when fans are on)… does not run otherwise.

When HOT and I cut the car off and open hood even though the fans aren’t running I can hear a humming coming from back of engine close to firewall.

Just paid $187 to get fixed.. they replaced sensor and thermostat.. worked great for one day then started doing the HOT bit again.

?? HELP!!

Any and all help will be greatly appreciated.

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See if this link helps:

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-trucks/faq-how-troubleshoot-repair-maintain-hondas-46563-3.html#post235973

A Honda-trained mechanic recently told me most Hondas overheat, due to improperly installed thermostats and thermostatically-controlled cooling fans not operating properly.

My hunch is that you need to replace the radiator, if it has never been done. There's likely mineral build-up or corrosion causing the car to overheat.

See if this link helps:

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-trucks/faq-how-troubleshoot-repair-maintain-hondas-46563-3.html#post235973

A Honda-trained mechanic recently told me most Hondas overheat, due to improperly installed thermostats and thermostatically-controlled cooling fans not operating properly.

My hunch is that you need to replace the radiator, if it has never been done. There's likely mineral build-up or corrosion causing the car to overheat.

Thanks.. the problem is it worked for almost 20 years OK and I only took it to a "mechanic" because of the temp gage going to high..

Honda radiators tend to last, on average, 150,000 miles. How many miles are on your radiator?

Honda radiators tend to last, on average, 150,000 miles. How many miles are on your radiator?

Around 105,000. Would that cause the fan not to work except when the AC is on...

Remember, there's a condenser fan going to the A/C and a radiator cooling fan. The radiator fan should come on, as needed. It shouldn't be dependent on the A/C being on. Obviously, however, the engine will get hotter, when the A/C is on, and need supplemental cooling--especially when stopped in traffic at idle.

Remember, there's a condenser fan going to the A/C and a radiator cooling fan. The radiator fan should come on, as needed. It shouldn't be dependent on the A/C being on. Obviously, however, the engine will get hotter, when the A/C is on, and need supplemental cooling--especially when stopped in traffic at idle.


The two fans on th radiator ONLY work when the AC is on... when the AC is off it doesn't matter how hot the gauge shows they don't work.

Have o idea what you mean when you say condernsor fan... where is it... what makes it come on and go off? Will it still run after the car is turned off?

. Test all under-hood fuses with a test light or multimeter.

. Focus on the Radiator Fan Relay, in the under-hood fuse/relay box, and the Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Switch, located on the thermostat housing.
The ECT Switch should be on, above 199 degrees F. One or both of these components may need replacing.