GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Preliminary Overheating Diagnostic Check

  1. Does overheating occur while pulling a trailer?
  2. • Does the trailer weigh less than 454 kg (1,000 lb)?
    • Is the vehicle equipped with a heavy duty cooling package?
  3. Is the vehicle equipped with an add-on, or aftermarket, air conditioning system? If so, was a heavy duty radiator installed?
  4. If overheating occurs after prolonged idle in gear with the A/C system operating, instruct the owner on the following driving techniques to avoid overheating:
  5. • Idle the engine in N (Neutral) as much as possible. Increase the engine RPM in order to get the coolant flowing through the radiator.
    • If overheating is indicated by a hot lamp or the temperature gauge, turn the A/C system off during extended idles of the engine.
  6. If overheating occurs after prolonged driving in slow city traffic, or traffic jams, instruct the owner on the following driving techniques to avoid overheating:
  7. • Idle the engine in N (Neutral) as much as possible. Increase the engine RPM in order to get the coolant flowing through the radiator.
    • If overheating is indicated by a hot lamp or the temperature gauge, turn the A/C system off during extended idles of the engine.

If any of the above conditions apply, instruct the operator on driving techniques that would reduce the possibility of engine overheating.