# Idle over heat fixed by AC?

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/idle-over-heat-fixed-by-ac/129777>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [November 28, 2018, 8:14am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/idle-over-heat-fixed-by-ac/129777 "2018-11-28T08:14:26Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![gandhi\_s-flip-flop](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/gandhi_s-flip-flop/32/19396_2.png) [@gandhi\_s-flip-flop](https://community.cartalk.com/u/gandhi_s-flip-flop)\
**Post date:** [November 28, 2018, 8:14am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/idle-over-heat-fixed-by-ac/129777/1 "2018-11-28T08:14:26Z")

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I got 2005 Malibu 3.5L v6 and when my AC is off the temp goes from 50% to 65% close to red zone which is 75% and above but the thing is when I turn on the AC it is like problem doesnt exist also when AC is off and it is overheated around 65% if I start driving around the temp goes back to normal. I checked the fans they work even when AC is off. Water pump and thermostat replaced coolant flushed 20k miles ago about a year or a year and a half ago with serpentine belt replacement.

Please help me out guys.

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**Author:** ![COROLLAGUY1](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/corollaguy1/32/7575_2.png) [@COROLLAGUY1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/COROLLAGUY1)\
**Post date:** [November 28, 2018, 9:37am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/idle-over-heat-fixed-by-ac/129777/2 "2018-11-28T09:37:51Z")

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If its not going into the red zone, it should be fine.The radiator fan should turn on to cool the engine when it reaches a certain temperature.Do you have unusual hot weather recently?

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**Author:** ![FoDaddy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/fodaddy/32/717_2.png) [@FoDaddy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/FoDaddy)\
**Post date:** [November 28, 2018, 1:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/idle-over-heat-fixed-by-ac/129777/3 "2018-11-28T13:24:33Z")

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Sounds like the radiator fan isn’t coming on and when the A/C is on the condensor fan pulls enough air through the radiator that it helps cool the engine down

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**Author:** ![Cavell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cavell/32/43396_2.png) [@Cavell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cavell)\
**Post date:** [November 28, 2018, 1:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/idle-over-heat-fixed-by-ac/129777/4 "2018-11-28T13:48:53Z")

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fans? you have 2? side by side? i changed the coolant on my 06 equinox and had the chance to see the fan come on while idling and using the bleed valve. i dont usually sit in the driveway and listen for the fans on/off so i assume they rarely run. i have never heard them running in the garage after i get home. and the equinox is known for somewhat odd behavior. electrical and such.