prohrman

Hey everyone,

I have a 1988 Accord 5 speed LXi, with some tempremental cooling fans. The fans don't always turn on when they are supposed to. Sometimes the fans will operate normal and everything is good, and other times the fans won't kick in at all until after I cycle the key on & off a few times and the temp. gauge has risen to the point where it worries me. When the fans do finally kick in they will work until the car cools down and the fans shut off normally then they won't automatically kick in again once the car heats up?

It looks like there are 2 temp sensors just past where the upper radiator hose flows into the engine, 1 is green and 1 is black? I am also told there is a temp sensor inside the radiator? The black one looks new and the green one looks fairly old with somewhat corroded terminals.

My question is: does anybody know which temp sensors control the cooling fans and where they are located? does this sound like a farmilliar problem to anybody and am I on the right track with thinking a temp. sensor is bad?

Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

-Phil

Riceburner247

iTrader: (1)

I had this problem in my old accord. I just routed my fan wiring to a relay and switch, that way I could turn them on manually.

......Ya know, I just realized that helps you in no way, lol. I guess use my method as a last resort.

earthworm

You will need the factory repair manual for this one - or just guess. The sensor on the radiator should control the fan - often times they malfunction on Saabs and VWs. Use your test light and a length of wire with a cheap sensitive fuse.
Please get back to us.

prohrman

After looking at it closer, the temp gauge was varying in temp quite a bit and with how inconsistent it was, kind of acted like t-stat. Anyway, just for fun I replaced the T-stat. The old t-stat was definatley bad (I did the boiling poty o' water test) so I replaced it and that took care of all my problems! the car runs cool again, the temp gauge stays at about 1/3rd and after letting it idle for about 30 minutes and watching the fans cycle on & off for that whole time, the fans appear to work normally!

Strange, I didn't think a t-stat could effect the operation of the fans but I guess these honda's are sensitive, if the t-stat is bad it messes up everything huh?

Thanks for the help!

-Phil