My 2006 Pt Cruiser Is Over Heating, What Causes This To Happen?

    Of course the first thing would be (without the engine being hot) to pop the radiater cap and check the level of the coolant. Then while the cap is off start the engine and let idle until warmed up enough for the thermostat to allow the coolant to circulate. If the engine is warmed to normal driving temp, the fans should being kicking on and off and the coolant should be circulating with movement that can be seen from the radiater cap. If the fans dont ever kick on, the relay would be the first thing to try swapping out.

    If the coolant never seams to circulate then, with the motor off and cooled back down, follow the upper radiater hose back towards the engine block. It will end at the thermostat housing, remove it and the thermostat is just sitting inside. Remove it. (you will need a tube of gasket maker or another thermostat housing gasket for when you reassemble the housing, both can be gotten from your local parts store) Now to check the thermostat you need to bring a pot of water to boil on your stove and place the thermostat in it. As the metal reaches the appropriate temperature, you should see the center of the thermostat open. If not then it needs to be replaced.

   If all this checks out good then its almost going to have to be the temp sensor which is a little more involved and should be taken to a mechanic for diagnotics and replacewment.

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[automotive mechanic and phone modding enthusiast]