2004 GTP fan temp?

Had our warmest weather on the weekend since I bought the GTP. On the road/highway, temp is rock steady between 1/4 an 1/2 on the temp gauge, trans temp between 60-75C. Came into the city, stuck in traffic the temp started to climb, went up to half way between 1/2 and red before the fans cut in and cooled it down. Trans temp went up to 94C. I don't like that.
Is it normal for the fans to cut in so hot, and if not is it likely just a switch/sender issue or something else? If it is normal, can this be changed? I'm worried what summer weather will do. For the record, the car has a new thermostat that seems to be functioning correctly and fresh coolant as I had to change intake gaskets when I got the car. I verified in my garage that it really does get that hot before the fans come on, it's definitely not a coolant/thermostat/water pump issue.

weird--I didn't put any italics in this post, but I see them anyway

I think its normal my 05' is usually in that range. Here is a link to a forum that has some good info if you look for it.

Club GP

I have had tranny temps much higher than that. It definitely is something that you should keep an eye on. These tranny's are notoriously week. G.M. sells a tranny cooler that is high quality but it was designed for the previous generation w-body's it will fit with a little tweaking though. The fan temps are controlled buy the pcm and they can be changed with tuner. These cars are very prone to knock and the computer will pull timing if knock is detected. Be careful if you have someone mess with the pcm because popped pistons are a common side effect of poor tuning. You can get a lot of performance with a tune but each and every car is different and the quality and knowledge of the tuner plays a large role in how long the engine will live if your looking for power.

As for lowering temps I would suggest a 180* t-stat and have the fan turn on temps lowered to match. Here is some links to vendors that specialize in w- bodys.

zzp

wbody store

overkill

GTPs are designed for the fan not to come on until then, I thought it was weird too but they all do that. I think it is something to do with lowering emissions. I think changing the temp when the fan comes on wouldnt be a bad idea though. My mom is afraid to drive hers up hills in the summertime becasue it gets so hot.

DTC code P0128 !!!!

not a big deal if you dont need to know when your car sets a new one.

That's when fans are supposed to come on for maximum efficiency. The hotter your engine is (without boiling fluids, of course) the more efficiently it burns. As mentioned, it's mostly an emissions thing. That's how any car with electric fans from the factory operates, the fan almost never comes on before coolant temps of ~205F (96C), sometimes as high as 220F (104C).

Bryce

My ZX2/SR is like that. originally came on at 220 F. After a tuning chip it now comes on at 205 F. Lower temps thermostats don't help at all. Been there.

nicksta43 wrote: I think its normal my 05' is usually in that range. Here is a link to a forum that has some good info if you look for it. Club GP I have had tranny temps much higher than that. It definitely is something that you should keep an eye on. These tranny's are notoriously week. G.M. sells a tranny cooler that is high quality but it was designed for the previous generation w-body's it will fit with a little tweaking though. The fan temps are controlled buy the pcm and they can be changed with tuner. These cars are very prone to knock and the computer will pull timing if knock is detected. Be careful if you have someone mess with the pcm because popped pistons are a common side effect of poor tuning. You can get a lot of performance with a tune but each and every car is different and the quality and knowledge of the tuner plays a large role in how long the engine will live if your looking for power. As for lowering temps I would suggest a 180* t-stat and have the fan turn on temps lowered to match. Here is some links to vendors that specialize in w- bodys. zzp wbody store overkill

Thanks for the links, I got familiar with most of those sites a couple years back when I first added the GTP to my "might buy one someday" list. I promised my wife that this car will remain stock for family duty until my Jetta is "done". I think a tune is in order though just from an efficiency/upgrade point of view. At least I know now that its normal. I really like this car, more and more as I put some miles on it.