At what temperature do radiator fans normally kick on? I was surprised by the wide swings in coolant temp readings on the analog gauge in the instrument panel of the GP, so when I took it out for a spin today I hooked up my OBD II reader and monitored the coolant temp on a digital gauge. Outside temp was about 50 F and the coolant temps would settle at about 185-190 F (halfway between the small and large ticks on the instrument panel gauge) while going 65 mph on the freeway. As soon as I exited, the temp would slowly creep up. I pulled into a gas station and idled at the pump for a while and watched the coolant temp creep up even further. It hit 200 without the radiator fans kicking on...210 (large tick on the instrument panel gauge)...215...217! Finally at about 220, the fans started up, quickly bringing the temp down to 210. I am used to the Burb, whose mechanical fan doesn't allow the coolant temps to get above 200 F, even in stop-and-go traffic with 90+ F outside temps, so am unsure if there is an issue here.
Is 220 F before the fans kick on normal? Could the ECU be programmed wrong? Should I take it in to get looked at?
Is 220 F before the fans kick on normal? Could the ECU be programmed wrong? Should I take it in to get looked at?