1994 escort 1.9

I had this car for a few week and all was well. I drove it for a few miles today and noticed the temp was hot. I looked under the hood the fan was NOT running the coolant resivor was full to the top(was never like that before). I shut the car off to cool, then restarted the car I let it idle for 5 min it started to get hot again. I looked under the hood and the fan still did not come on and the coolant level was back down to normal in the resivor but car was still running very hot. could this be a stat,waterpump relays???? I dont know where to start.
Thanks,
Denny

 

Start with the temp sensor....if temp sensor is malfunctioning..the fan will not turn on and cool the radiator.

The temp sensor should be on the radiator. It screws into the radiator on the side i believe. This sensor has an internal switch that closes the contact when the coolant heats up...turning on the fan. I dont remember the exact configuration for this car but you should see a wire coming out of the sensor in the radiator that goes back to the electric radiator fan. Get a multimeter...unplug the wire..check the resistance on the switch when its cold..one lead on the plug..the other lead to ground..it should not have continuity (infinite resistance). Start the car and let it heat up. The internal switch on the sensor should close when radiator heats up(reducing resistance significantly or showing closed circuit on appropriate multimeter setting). If this sensor is functioning correctly...then you need to check electrical (fuses...or possibly bad fan)

This is the most likely cause...and fortunately the least expensive....

good luck