Help on engine cooling fan of 2000 Camry LE

[dadalior]

My engine cooling fan turns on when temp gauge reaches 3/4 of full range. What might cause this?


Thanks!

[dave1811]

Normal operation of cooling system? Normally, I believe the 2nd fan doesn't turn on unless you are also running the AC.

[dadalior]

That's a good point~~~ Thanks~~~ This happens only when speed is low~~

[coffee-3000]

I think this is normal also. The cooling fan turns on once the coolant temperture reaches approximately 200 degrees. I might be wrong on this, but I think the fan might only come on when runnng at a low speed. When your runnnig at a high speed, you use the wind to cool the coolant ( so the fan doesn't come on ). The fans purpose is to
cool the coolant when your running at low speeds ( stop and go city traffic ) or idling at a red light.

[fenixus]

the real question is what might be causing the coolant temp to reach 3/4 temp on gauge? that is not normal at all.

fans are operating fine however per design I think.

[dave1811]

+1 on what Fenixus said. On both my 99 Camry 5SFE's and my 2002 Sienna, all 3 just run under 1/2 way on the temp gauge. One of my 99's was running cold (the thermostat was sticking open) and I replaced it last week. Now it runs just where it is supposed to. If your thermostat is sticking closed somewhat, it will run a little hotter and hotter. If it is stuck open, it will run colder, like mine. But, obviously, you might have other issues such as a partially clogged radiator, water pump issue, etc. Could be one of several issues. Good luck and let us know what it ends up being wrong if you get running cooler.

[dadalior]

Thanks!

Normally, the gauge is ~1/2. It happens recently. Even during cold nights, the gauge can still go above 1/2 when speed is low. Should I go for a coolant flushing and change the thermostat first? Meanwhile, the sound from my water pump side is noisy.

Thanks again~~~

[dave1811]

How many miles on your 2000? Also, is it the 5SFE engine? Has the timing belt/water pump ever been changed? Mine was making noise from the water pump area. I thought it was the bearings on the WP going out until I took the timing belt cover off. Turns out the belt was really, really loose and was slapping the TB cover. My 99 had around 160k when I changed the TB and put in a new Aisin WP. Bought the car at 150k and had no prior maint. records. After taking the water pump off, the original was making no bearing noise at all when I spun it while it was off the car. But as preventive maint, I changed it out anyway along with the idler bearing, tensioner bearing, new oil pump o'ring, gaskets, etc. Just a typical TB/WP job for these 4 cylinders. No more WP noise and no more oil leaks! Good luck on yours.

Dave

[dadalior]

Dave, thanks so much.

Mine is 5SFE at 130K. I bought it at 97K. I will change the TB and WP. Hope this can fix temp. issue.

[JohnGD]

I'd also change out the thermostat as well while you're at it. Use either the OEM Toyota one with a jiggle valve or Stant 48278 OE style ($10.94 rockauto.com).

If you dig in there consider a "complete" timing belt job with:

GATES K030295 Micro-V AT Power Steering Belt $5.14
GATES K050435 Micro-V AT Alt/AC Belt $14.10
FEL-PRO TCS45920 Crankshaft Front Seal Set $5.10
FEL-PRO TCS45641 Camshaft Front Seal $3.66
NATIONAL 221820 Polyacrylate Oil Pump Shaft Seal $2.86
GATES TCK199 (1 Belt, 1 Tensioner, 1 Idler) Timing Belt Component Kit
$52.89
STANT 48278 180° w/Jiggle Pin OE Type Thermostat $10.94
AISIN WPT010A Water pump w/o housing $30.79
FEL-PRO VS50304R1 Valve Cover Gasket Set w/Spark plug tube seals
$18.26
Subtotal $143.74
Shipping about $20

Originally Posted by dadalior

Dave, thanks so much.

Mine is 5SFE at 130K. I bought it at 97K. I will change the TB and WP. Hope this can fix temp. issue.

[dadalior]

You guys are so nice! Thanks!

Normally, how could it cost to change TB and WP at bay area?

[dadalior]

life is tough~~~

changed water pump, thermostat~~~ no use~~~ Head gasket is fine.

Temp. still can go up to 2/3 for low speed running and comes back after fan is on~~~ According my mechanic, my car is working at 180F and the fan is on at 200F. Is this normal? What can I do~~~

[hill8570]

Originally Posted by dadalior

life is tough~~~

changed water pump, thermostat~~~ no use~~~ Head gasket is fine.

Temp. still can go up to 2/3 for low speed running and comes back after fan is on~~~ According my mechanic, my car is working at 180F and the fan is on at 200F. Is this normal? What can I do~~~

Hmmm. How'd he measure that? Because it sounds more-or-less "normal" -- the thermo is supposed to start allowing coolant into the engine when engine temp reaches 82C (180F). That's on the inlet (water pump) side of the engine -- the outlet side (where the temp sensor for the temp gauge is) is going to read higher. Not so sure about the fan kick-on, 'tho -- the fan kicks on when the coolant in the radiator reaches a certain temp, and 200F is way high for that. But maybe he was referring to something other than the radiator temp when he was talking 200F. BTW, you refer to "the cooling fan". Should I take it then that you've only got one fan, and no A/C? If you've got a contactless thermometer, it'd be an interesting experiment to see what the temp at the engine outlet is when the temp gauge is reading 3/4.

[dadalior]

Updates:
Changed radiator, fan switch, and thermostat~~~didn't help~~~ The head gasket is fine. What should I do~~~~Kill the car or myself?

[dadalior]

Could AC cause this issue?