Any techs might give me a clue where to start looking. The heat gauge is working so I know the motor is getting hot enough. Is there a valve or something? I have a service manual for a 1996 so I can look at it for reference if they are the same.

I've run into some of the 4 cylinders having the water pump impellers spinning freely. take off the radiator cap, and make sure the water is circulating. if not, then aim for the water pump.

This a v-6 3.0 but I will check that.It has not been getting hot at all.

Check the heater hoses for temp.

will try that tonight. Thanks

My wife just pulled in and I tried to find the heater hoses. Man what a jungle. When I first cut the heater on, it put out hot air. It cooled off pretty quick. If what I found are the heater hoses, then they are both hot. I will have to look in the service manual to learn more. Just hoping that a tech new of a common problem on these things.

everything seems to run off the pcm computer, disconnect the battery and let it sit for 2 minutes and reconnect...see if that works for ya....seems to solve alot of problems with these models...

Is the temp gauge in the middle,if not you need a thermostat.

Temp gauge is in the middle.

Well, made it to the shop with the mini van and started looking. Heater hose under the dash were both hot and the blend doors worked. Opened the hood to do some looking and found some red residue on the tank under the fill cap. Scraped it off and found a small crack in the tank. Opened the cap and no water was visible. Filled it up with about 3/4 gallon of water and heater works great! I kept the coolant reservoir filled in the Summer and Fall so it did not leak out fast enough to get engine hot. That is why the heater worked on the last trip we took in about Oct. Lucky it did not get hot. My wife never watches gauges. Got lucky this time. Now for a new rad. What kind of coolant is this special stuff it says to use on the overflow tank? Or should I just use the old Prestone stuff?

Isn't there a way to fix the crack in the tank while in the vehicle and save alot of work and money? Just a thought.

Well, maybe. I would hate for it to break on an out of town trip. Called today and got a rad on the way for $105 plus shipping.