# Temperature skyrockets when idling (98 Chevy Cavalier)

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/temperature-skyrockets-when-idling-98-chevy-cavalier/2394>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** cavalier, overheating\
**Created:** [July 30, 2007, 12:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/temperature-skyrockets-when-idling-98-chevy-cavalier/2394 "2007-07-30T12:26:58Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![kerrianne77](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/da6949/32.png) [@kerrianne77](https://community.cartalk.com/u/kerrianne77)\
**Post date:** [July 30, 2007, 12:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/temperature-skyrockets-when-idling-98-chevy-cavalier/2394/1 "2007-07-30T12:26:58Z")

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I’ve noticed recently my temperature gauge will skyrocket into the red zone when my car is idling or I’m in stop and go traffic. My A/C is usually on when I notice this but I’m not sure there is any correlation. Any ideas on what might be causing this? Thanks for your help!

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**Author:** ![Loafer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/loafer/32/28_2.png) [@Loafer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Loafer)\
**Post date:** [July 30, 2007, 12:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/temperature-skyrockets-when-idling-98-chevy-cavalier/2394/2 "2007-07-30T12:29:20Z")

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your cooling fan may not be turning on. Could be the fan motor or fan switch. When it’s idling and running hot pop the hood and see if it’s working.

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**Author:** ![hellokit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6a8cbe/32.png) [@hellokit](https://community.cartalk.com/u/hellokit)\
**Post date:** [July 30, 2007, 1:33pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/temperature-skyrockets-when-idling-98-chevy-cavalier/2394/3 "2007-07-30T13:33:10Z")

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Also, when the engine is cool, open the radiator cap and check the coolant level. A low level can cause overheating. Any time the A/C is turned on, an engine cooling fan(s) should come on.

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**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/1/d/1d47c66a543aa6c5a7873bb2320858f978ff52ed.png) [@system](https://community.cartalk.com/u/system)\
**Post date:** [July 30, 2007, 3:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/temperature-skyrockets-when-idling-98-chevy-cavalier/2394/4 "2007-07-30T15:12:39Z")

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It sounds like you’re doing this repeatedly. If so, this is very bad for the engine.