I have a 2002 Neon ACR.....
Recently the temperature gauge has been going up to Hot when its humid and hot outside. It is also more noticeable when I have the air conditioning on.

I checked the coolant levels and everything has been fine and I have even added some just in case. Could it be my themastat, water pump, or even a minor leak somewhere??

Any help is appreciated and sorry if this sounds noobish

 

Its obviously something more than a leak because you say the fluid levels are good.
Is the CEL on? Did you get any codes?

 

Here are some possible explanations:

Your pressure cap is loose.
Poor seals at your radiator cap.
The coolant level may be low in the radiator, but no in the resevoir.
Radiator or condenser fins may be clogged or dirty.
Your thermostat may be closed or partially closed.
Your heater core may be leaking.
Check your hoses to see if one has collapsed.

 

well my car overheated on my like 2 weeks ago and that was because the bottom hose came loose then there was a sensor to the coolant that went bad so i changed the sensor and it works fine now.

its called a coolant temp sensor and it only costed me $22.

so you might look into changing that if youve tried everything else.

it might just be that ur sensor is bad and ur car isnt overheating at all.

let me know if that helped.

 

i could be wrong but i dont think its a sensor...because if the temp goes up...i just turn off my air and it will slowly go back to normal but then if i turn my air conditioning back on it will eventually go back up. As i said before, it occurs more frequently in the really hot weather and only after about 30 mins of driving.....

 

oh alrite.
dang i wouldnt know then.
sorry.

 

TEMPERATURE GAUGE READS
HIGH OR ENGINE COOLANT
WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATES.
COOLANT MAY OR MAY NOT BE
LOST FROM SYSTEM. (CONT.)
6. Poor seals at radiator cap. 6. (a) Check condition of cap and
cap seals. Refer to Radiator cap
Inspection. Replace cap if
necessary.
(b) Check condition of filler neck. If
neck is bent or damaged, replace
neck.
7. Coolant level low in radiator, but
not in coolant recovery/reserve
container. This indicates the
radiator is not drawing coolant from
the coolant recovery/reserve
container as the engine cools. As
the engine cools, a vacuum is
formed inside the cooling system. If
the radiator cap seals are defective,
or the cooling system has a leak, a
vacuum cannot be formed.
7. (a) Check condition of radiator
cap and cap seals. Replace cap if
necessary.
(b) Check condition of filler neck.
Replace if damaged.
(c) Check condition of hose from
filler neck to coolant container. It
should be tight at both ends without
any kinks or tears. Replace hose as
necessary.
(d) Check coolant recovery/reserve
container and hose for blockage.
Repair as necessary.
8. Freeze point of coolant not
correct. Mixture ratio may be too
rich.
8. Check coolant concentration.
Refer to Coolant Concentration
Testing in this section. Adjust
glycol-to-water ration as required.
9. Coolant not flowing through
system.
9. Check for coolant flow at filler
neck with some coolant removed,
engine warm, and thermostat open.
Coolant should be observed flowing
through filler neck. If flow is not
observed, determine reason for lack
of flow and repair as necessary.
10. Radiator or A/C condenser fins
are dirty or clogged.
10. Clean obstruction from fins.
11. Radiator core is plugged or
corroded.
11. Replace or re-core radiator.
12. Fuel or ignition system
problems.
12. Refer to Fuel and Ignition
System groups for diagnosis. Also
refer to the appropriate Powertrain
Diagnostic Procedure manual.
13. Dragging Brakes. 13. Inspect brake system and repair
as necessary. Refer to Group 5,
Brakes for diagnosis.
14 Bug screen or other aftermarket
accessory is being used causing
reduced air flow.
14. Remove bug screen or
accessory.
15. Thermostat partially or
completely closed. This is more
prevalent on high mileage vehicles.
15. Check thermostat operation and
replace as necessary. Refer to
thermostat in this section for
procedure

 

INADEQUATE AIR CONDITIONER
PERFORMANCE (COOLING
SYSTEM SUSPECTED)
1. Radiator and/or air conditioning
condenser is restricted, obstructed
or dirty.
1. Remove restriction and/or clean
as necessary.
2. Electric radiator fan not operating
when A/C is on.
2. Refer to appropriate Powertrain
Diagnostic Procedures manual for
operation of the DRB scan tool.
Repair as necessary.
3. Engine is overheating (heat may
be transferred from radiator to A/C
condenser). High underhood
temperature due to engine
overheating may also transfer heat
to A/C components.
3. Correct overheating condition.
Refer to this section.

 

I have the whole online manual for this **** I mean car. Let me know if you need more help.

 

GRRRR mines better!