Q: Car overheats when heater not on

asked by on March 23, 2016

My car is overheating. The radiator, sensor, and thermostat have been replaced. The car operates at normal when the heater is on.

Car is overheating Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

There can be a variety of reasons that your Ford Five Hundred is overheating, even after repairs have been made. While it is possible you are experiencing problems with the water pump, you may have a defective new thermostat as well. It is also possible that air pockets are still trapped in the system and causing your vehicle to overheat. I would recommend enlisting the assistance of a certified technician, such as one from YourMechanic, to come by and diagnose your Ford’s overheating concern. They will have the knowledge to quickly identify exactly why your Ford is overheating as well as make the repairs needed to keep your engine running at its normal operating temperature.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Metal sounds at startup and during driving
A couple of different items can cause the rattling you have described. The most likely would be a belt idler, belt tensioner, engine top end noise, or an engine knock. I would have this checked soon to prevent any further...
Vehicle cranks but doesn't start.
Hey there. It looks as if you've thrown everything at it except the kitchen sink. Sometimes simplifying the search is the best course of action in regards to keeping the engine running. This would narrow it down to air, fuel,...
Speedometer is erratic and the S light is on
There are a few different components that can cause these issues. The main one is the vehicle speed sensor (VSS) (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/speed-sensor-replacement). This is located on your transmission, and communicates to the engine what speed the transmission is receiving. The VSS...
After changing radiator and oil, car stalls when coming to stop. Is the motor damaged?
Hello. Stalling can be caused by many things. If the engine is no longer overheating, then it is unlikely that the stalling is directly related to the radiator repair. A few common causes for stalling when braking are a faulty...
The engine hesitates and dies if the lights and AC are on together
Hello. The idle air controller is suspect in this scenario - either needs to be replaced or cleaned (if possible). It sounds like it is not responding to the increased load of the alternator. A dirty throttle body (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/clean-throttle-body) or...
My dashboard lights and taillights are not working.
The headlight switch will generally control parking lights, headlights, running lights and high beams. If you are getting power up to the switch and the components do not work, the fault may be in the switch or there is a...
Engine Swap - 2009 Pontiac G8 GT
The 6.0L engine from the 2008 or the 2009 model year G8 will interchange (match: VIN Y, 8th digit, opt L76). To obtain this engine, simply search at Car-Part.com (http://www.car-part.com) and you will find an exact match for your car...
Need part replaced and already have it on order will a mechanic from this site come put it in for me?
Hi Kelly. I have forwarded your inquiry to our service department, so they can follow up with your inquiry. Typically we like to use recommended OEM replacement parts for the services our mobile mechanics complete, to reduce the potential of...
Turned on heater car started shaking turn it off and on it stopped shaking never did it again. Was snowing why did it do thst?
Hi Tony. Thanks for sending your question to us tonight. When you turn on a heater or AC unit, it causes additional drag on the engine. This can cause small issues like clogged fuel injectors or other components failures to...

Related articles

How to Prevent and Handle an Overheated Engine
An overheated engine can seize the motor completely. Learn how to prevent your engine from getting too hot and causing damage.
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Stay Rod
Common signs your classic car has a failing stay rod include rattling noises from the front and a radiator that looks tilted or about to fall.
How to fix a change car thermostat?
What you need to know to fix your car thermostat.