PsXtreme

So as the title says, my radiator fans do not kick on. Last thursday I drove 2 hours to my buddies house and the car ran fine. I was sitting in my buddies driveway with the heat running because it was cold and I noticed my temp gauge go up to half way ( its normally just below half way) then it went higher like it was overheating. So I immediately shut the car off and popped the hood and felt the upper radiator hose which had pressure. I let it sit and once the pressure was gone I opened the radiator cap and it did need some water. So I added more until the bubbles stopped and capped it. I noticed my fans would not kick on when I started the car back up and the temp gauge once again went back up. I turned on the AC to force the fans to turn on and they did not turn on. So I drove him where he had to go and the temp went down, but thats from the cold air coming in through the front and I was doing about 60mph most of the way so it didnt over heat. I also had the heat on full blast to keep the car cooled down. I kept stopping along the way at gas stations and such to check if my fans were on and nothing. This is a brand new radiator and brand new fans so I dont get it. The only thing that happened before this was I accidentally went off road in the fog and drove through a field and my passenger side turn signal bulb came out and broke. I noticed that yesterday and changed both bulbs and got the turn signals working again. I checked the fuses I thought went to the fans, but they were all good fuses. Any ideas anyone can give me to fix these fans would be great. I havent had any overheating problems, because its always cold outside and I am doing atleast 45mph, but these fans should be working and I would like to fix them now before winter sets in and it gets too cold to want to work on anything. Thanks in advance!!


Oh and I must add that the car is not leaking anti-freeze at all, because I looked under the car after I popped the hood to make sure a hose isnt leaking. I also checked my oil to make sure a head gasket isnt blown and my oil looks fine. Just adding this to avoid these questions. lol

poorman212

That is one big "blob" of text.......not reading it as it is....hitting the next button. Good luck on your issue.

PsXtreme

No need to reply then. Im pretty sure I know what the fix is, but wanted input before I buy anything and I am giving as much info as possible.

thefew

The problem ought to be a little easier to figure out because both fans are not working, so check the things that both fans have in common. I would apply 12 volts to both fans just to eliminate the fans as the source of the problem. I say that because both fans on my 91 Accord failed within a week of each other. If the fans are good find out where the power to your fans is being interrupted...wiring, fuses, relays, coolant switches, etc...

PsXtreme

I am thinking it is this... Duralast/Cooling Fan Switch - Radiator TU197 - Read 3 Reviews on Duralast #TU197

basically the fan switch that checks the temp of the coolent and once its a certain temp it kicks the fans on, but not sure.

PsXtreme

I need to do a radiator flush in the morning anyways because now its mainly water in the radiator and now that its getting cold I dont want anything to crack in the engine like the block. So while I am at it I will do as you suggest and apply 12v to the fan. The plug is up top for the one on the passenger side so if it kicks on I guess the next thing to check is the fan switch.

holmesnmanny

You need to first apply direct battery voltage to the fans and see if they turn on. You said they are new so obviously they should turn on. If they turn on, plug the fan connectors back in, then you need to turn the ignition to on without starting the car and then disconnect the connector for the fan switch at the thermostat housing and jumper it. That should turn the fans on as well.

PsXtreme

So if I jumper the fan switch and the fans kick on, that would confirm its the fan switch thats bad? I was going to use a volt meter too. That switch detects the tempurature of the coolent in the radiator/engine and I would figure there would be a 3rd wire that goes to the computer, so shouldnt a bad fan switch throw a code? I wouldnt notice if it did because my check engine light has always been on for the rear o2 sensor.

PsXtreme

Just to update, a few days ago I checked this out a little further. I ran a hot straight to the fans and they kicked on. I checked the fuses and relays which all check out good. When I went to jump the fan switch my D4 light on the dash was flashing, but the fans did not kick on. When I turn on the AC the fans also do not turn on. Its looking like hooking a manual switch to the fans is going to have to work, unless someone else here knows what to do next? Thanks!