Dear Jim,

My 1994 Pontiac Trans Am (5.7L V8) has been running hot for the last few months. I've had the water pump, radiator, sensors, relays, hoses and even the radiator cap replaced, but the temperature gauge still climbs too high whenever I'm sitting at a stoplight. As long as I'm moving, it stays down.

After all this money spent on repairs, I still have no idea what's going on here. What do you think?

-- Tony Daniels

No wonder you're confused, bro -- sounds like you've done pretty much everything, and that big ol' 5.7 is still climbing into the red. Here's something you should know, though: As a general rule, when a car only overheats while idling, you're looking at a fan problem. It could be due to several things -- bad fan, bad switch, bad sensor, etc. -- but it all comes down to the fact that the fan isn't turning on fast enough to keep the engine in a normal temperature range.

It gets more confusing.

Those '94 Trans Ams come with three different fan setups. The first one consists of a 240-watt primary cooling fan on the left side, plus another 150-watt unit that comes on whenever the air conditioning is used. The second setup has two 150-watt fans, one for the radiator and one for the A-C. The third version uses an engine-driven main fan, along with a separate 150-watter for the A-C.

If you have the first kind, I'll bet one or both of those fans isn't kicking in when needed. You check by warming the car up, turning on the A-C and popping the hood. If the temperature gauge is reading hot, both fans should be on. Same thing with setup number two, but you should also consider replacing that primary 150-watt fan for a 240-watt model.

Finally, bro, if you have the engine-driven system, make sure you check the fan clutch. If it's slipping too much, you're not going to get the kind of fan performance you need, no matter how hard that big engine works to turn it.

Tip of the Week

Most fan problems involve units that don't run when they should, but the opposite can happen too.

An electric fan that stays engaged all the time can reduce your gas mileage, make unwanted noise and even run the battery dead. If you think yours is working too hard, get it checked out.

Buffalo Jim, owner of Allstate Auto & Marine Repair in Las Vegas, writes a weekly column. Send your automotive questions to him at buffalojim@lasvegasniftynickel.com. If Jim picks your question to answer in Nuts & Bolts, you'll also be the proud recipient of a deck of official Buffalo Jim playing cards, presented in a classy, tin box bearing his hairy image.

PVHS Fundraiser

The parents of the Pahrump Valley High School Cheerleaders will be holding a yard sale to raise money for uniforms specifically for the cheerleading competition this year.

The yard sale will be from 8-4 p.m., Oct. 26 and 27, at 110 McMurray Drive (closest cross street is North Blagg Road).

To donate items, call 727-8983 and leave a message.

Family drum night

Haven Selah is hosting a family drum night, 6-7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 26, 1680 N. Blagg Road.

Bring the kids, a snack to share and any kind of drums or shakers available. Homemade is fine. They have drums to share as well.

For more information call Chrissie, 751-9694.

Halloween at Seemore's Too

The Pahrump Valley Cruisers will sponsor a "Trunks or Treats" from 4-6 p.m., Oct. 31 at Seemoore's Too.

Fill your trunk with candy and have fun with the kids.

Call 751-8912 or 727-3650 for more information.

Genealogical Society meeting

The Pahrump Genealogical Society will meet at 6:30 p.m., Nov. 1 at the Church of Latter-Day Saints at West Street and Wilson Road.

The speaker will be Paula Gibson on the subject of Canadian research in the Census and other records.

Paula is a long time researcher in New England genealogy and has had breakthrough results using Canadian sources.

Call Bob Alvis for more information, 751-9032.