It is winter in Texas and I am not running the A/C. When A/C is on, cooling fan runs and temp never gets over 199. Now I am not running the A/C and when I arrive to my job and driving slowly thru this big parking lot looking for a spot the coolant temp starts rising. I think fan is set not to come on until 218? I just don't like it!!! I am riding around parking lot and temp is running 214 and no fan running yet. How do I get the fan to automatically turn on at around 200 - 205? Thanks!!

 

Here's an interesting thread about how the cooling fan parameters are different with the SS.

https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/hhr-...uestion-61249/

 

Are you driving an SS ? Your profile shows a 2.2, so the fan will switch on at 219 F , you can turn on the defrost, that will turn on the AC and fan.

 

Sorry for the confusion. I drive a 2.2L HHR work car. The wife has the Fire Engine Red 2.0L SS, Garage Queen. I have owned 5 HHR's. I am referring to the 2.2L with the fan question. I also spotted an ever so slight coolant leak coming from somwhere on the bottom of the radiator hose between the engine and the coolant Cap Tee. I ordered both upper radiator hoses and when the arrive I will investigate further. Thanks

 

AHHH, this explains alot in my head. You see the ambient temp here today is currently 65 F so I was not running the A/C NOR the heater. I almost am always running either A/C or a blend of feet/defrost heat. This is why the car got hotter than I have ever noticed. Thanks.

 

What ever the temperature dial is set to, hot or cold the AC button can also be engaged

 

Stop worrying about the temp the fan comes on. It’s apparently doing as designed.
You should focus on fixing the leak. If it’s leaking, it lost coolant. Low coolant means higher temps. Top off the coolant, burp it and it will probably run cooler.

 

When it bothers you, just turn the AC on, or as previously mentioned, turn on the defrost. That will force the fan on. It’s bad for the seals for AC compressor to go for a long periods without running, anyway.

 

The fan not coming on until 215-220 is normal. 180° F to 220° F is the normal operating temperature range for the EcoTec 2.2 as far as I know. My radiator fan seems to kick on around 217°-219°, and usually brings temp down to around 194°-195° before turning off again

The car creeping up to 200° is no big deal depending on your driving habits, it's not really surprising if you do lots of slow/stop-and-go city driving where the car mostly moves at low speeds from one stoplight to the next (less airflow passing over the radiator). That's only a little bit higher than typical temps (185°-195°)

In slow/stop-and-go city driving my 2.2 typically hovers between 192°-196° once fully warmed up and I have no leaks or coolant system issues. On the highway at 65-75 MPH highway speeds it typically stays closer to 185°-187°

Normal normal normal

 

AC thermostat is your friend if you need one….also make sure to burp coolant system so air bubbles dont make the water pump cavitate