2002 Corolla LE Overheating

[martythebrit]

I live in Southern California, when the heat gets up to about 90 degrees and above the engine overheats if the A/C is on 2, 3 or HI. When I turn the A/C down to LO the engine cools down again. The rest of the time the engine run's just fine with no overheating

Just my luck that the engine overheats when I need the A/C the most!

Anyone have any ideas on a fix?

Thanks,
Marty.

[pdq]

Check that both your radiator fan and your compressor fan are running. Check that the coolant reservoir (plastic bottle near the battery) has fluid in the bottom -- pull the top out and the bottom of the black straw should be moist.

[expertmax]

Looks to me like an electrical problem : Your radiator fan stops turning. This is how you should inspect your issue.

1) Drive until the engine overheats (not too much tho).
2) Park the car, turn the A/C off but let the engine run.
3) Wait until a radiator fan starts.
4) Now turn the A/C on and check if both fans are running, one is running or none is running.
5) While you are there, touch your radiator hoses. If both hoses are cold, the thermostat is not opening. If one hose is cold, your radiator is leaking.

Do not open your radiator cap and while you are doing this, check periodically that your engine is not overheating past the red mark.