I have a 2001 camry that has started overheating. The two radiator fans are not turning. The blades spin by hand but are not turning on even when the ac is on. I was thinking to check the thermostat, water pump and the fuses, maybe flush radiator but thought you might be able to save me a little time if you think you know what the problem is. 80k on the mileage

Well Michael put your hand on radiator upper hose and then the lower hose right after car warms up and just starts overheating is there a temperature difference if so one of two things is going on thermostat not opening even though it is new or there is still an air bubble in the cooling system if nthere is no difference and still overheating might have to explore headgasket being blown

Too much heat can smoke your ignition electronics. Lay a spark plug out on engine metal (or clip wire grounded) to check for spark. Other TMI - For many of the 90's and 2000's Toyota various models - Camry, Tacoma, 4 Runners, Corolla, and some other models overheating is usually caused by temperature sensitive fan switch on the radiator not operating. Electric fan on the radiator should operate when temp above 200 degrees. Less often the control relay 90987-03003 is defective. Check if bubbling in the radiator smells like exhaust. That would indicate a blown head gasket. A jumper wire from your marker light positive to the lower contact in the fan control relay socket will operate your fan when parking lights are on. The larger vehicles with more powerful radiator fans will need a hefty jumper from a headlight positive to avoid overheating the lighting wiring. Make sure the engine is off and warmed up to check the radiator core with your hand to see if it is getting circulation. If it is all cold the thermostat might be stuck.

bad thermostat, electric fan if equipped not working, clogged radiator, clutch fan if equipped slipping (when turning fan blade by hand it should have a slight "resistance" to it...it should not turn freely with no resistance...fan belt slipping?...radiator cap bad?...

the water pump is working
the problem indicates blocked radiator cores preventing full flow at high rpm
have it flow tested by an accredited radiator shop or just fit a new radiator

my 2000 camry also shakes when idling. Looks like the radiator fan is culprit, but havent had time to change out yet. looks like old blades on fan broke off making it unbalanced when spinning to cool off causing excessive shaking. When driving its cool enough where that particular fan motor does not need to spin, therefore no shaking. possible solution is replace the fan that is wobbling.

Is it turning over or is it locked up - check to see if your can turn it over by hand- serious overheating can ruin an engine permanently. It can melt critical wiring as well. For many of the 90's and 2000's Toyota various models - Camry, Tacoma, 4 Runners, Corolla, and some other models it is usually caused by temperature sensitive fan switch on the radiator not operating. Electric fan on the radiator should operate when temp above 200 degrees. Less often the control relay 90987-03003 is defective. Check if bubbling in the radiator smells like exhaust. That would indicate a blown head gasket. A jumper wire from your marker light positive to the lower contact in the fan control relay socket will operate your fan when parking lights are on. The larger vehicles with more powerful radiator fans will need a hefty jumper from a headlight positive to avoid overheating the lighting wiring. Make sure the engine is off and warmed up to check the radiator core with your hand to see if it is getting circulation. If it is all cold the thermostat might be stuck.

For many of the 90's and 2000's Toyota various models - Camry, Tacoma, 4 Runners, Corolla, and some other models overheating is usually caused by temperature sensitive fan switch on the radiator not operating. Electric fan on the radiator should operate when temp above 200 degrees. Less often the control relay 90987-03003 is defective. Check if bubbling in the radiator smells like exhaust. That would indicate a blown head gasket. A jumper wire from your marker light positive to the lower contact in the fan control relay socket will operate your fan when parking lights are on. The larger vehicles with more powerful radiator fans will need a hefty jumper from a headlight positive to avoid overheating the lighting wiring. Make sure the engine is off and warmed up to check the radiator core with your hand to see if it is getting circulation. If it is all cold the thermostat might be stuck.

how do u change the water pump in a 1993 toyota camry v6 engine?

What exactly is the "round plug type thing" near the firewall [passenger side]? Is it a sensor of some type? I, too, have a coolant leak here on my 2001 Durango; its tucked in rather tightly near the hood/firewall corner. My electric fan is not kicking on; vehicle overheated tonight. (4.7 liter)

Hi,

Most normal causes for overheating would be:

• clogged radiator,
• insufficient coolant level (radiator and reservoir);
• too soft radiator hoses;
• defective/leaky water pump (impeller);
• water pump belt/tensioner;
• thermostat (mechanical);
• thermal switch;
• radiator fan, fan clutch;
• fan relay;
• fan fuse.

In some instances, the fan only works in conjunction with the A/C and/or heater and therefore would only work if either of those two are enabled.

Should your particular vehicle be using a radiator fan with clutch, that could also cause the fan blades not to spin even if the fan motor is turning.

Pls check the above mentioned components.

Hope this be of initial help/idea. Pls post back how things turned up or should you need additional information.

Good luck and kind regards. Thank you for using FixYa.