Hey Everyone-

I've been doing lots of searches and have been reading up on different reasons why some of our VX's can run hot. I just want to make sure I'm straight in my thinking after reading several older posts.

1. Is it correct that the electric fan that's just behind the grill is the A/C Condenser fan and that it should always come on when the A/C is running? Mine doesn't come on (A/C running or not).

2. I also read that this fan really isn't designed for engine cooling purposes and that it only aids the A/C. Is this true?

I live in hot Phoenix and my VX is now 6 years old. I've noticed that it's starting to run hotter than it has in the past. I've had my cooling system flushed, added new coolant and cleaned my radiator from any old bug guts and such so I'm looking for other causes. I guess I'm wondering if the fan in front of the radiator not coming on is contributing to my engine running hotter.

In addition, I just drove back from LA a couple of days ago. It was around 105 out in the desert. There's a long uphill grade coming out of Indio, CA. For the first time while making this trip, I had to turn my A/C off as my temp. gauge was getting pretty close to the "H". After that, I watched the temp. gauge like a hawk and could see it fluctuate depending on uphills, downhills, and the flats. I was wondering if this fluctuation is normal.

Thanks in advance for any answers,
- s a i n t -