Coolant reservoir boiling and heater a/c not working properly

smacktime · #1 (**permalink**) 09-28-09, 09:29 AM

I have a 1989 Brougham I brought a while ago. A few days ago i just drove it from Norfolk, Va to Woodbridge, Va with no problems. The other night, it started raining and my a/c unit didn't act right. Only the ECON and the HI worked and wouldn't come off. All the other settings didn't, even the OFF. The worst part about it was that when it rained the windows got foggy.

Another problem is that I drove my car from Dumfries to Woodbridge and my car over heated. When I opened the hood the coolant reservoir expanded and the fluid was boiling and the car wouldn't start up until 15 minutes later. Good thing my apartments was right around the corner.

Do anyone one possibly know what the issues are?

outsider · #2 (**permalink**) 09-28-09, 10:51 AM

in my 87, the climate control unit has problems with the buttons. sometimes when I push them (like trying to turn it off once it's been turned on) nothing will happen. I figured out that if i softly knock on face plate of it, and then push the button, it works. Might be sticking buttons. Give that a try.

As for the coolant boiling off, I'm having coolant problems myself and can't seem to find the problem.

csbuckn · #3 (**permalink**) 09-28-09, 10:55 AM

Maybe the coolant level is low or a sticky therm. Any smoke out the exhaust?

smacktime · #4 (**permalink**) 09-28-09, 11:12 AM

No smoke is coming out of the exhuast.

greencadillacmatt · #5 (**permalink**) 09-28-09, 12:26 PM

Was your radiator low after you found the boiling coolant in the over-flow box? How old is your radiator cap? It may have a bad vavle in it, and won't allow the coolant back into the radiator, but will put a ton in the overflow box. I would try a new cap. We were talking about almost the exact same thing in my auto class the other day. Good Luck!