90 accord 2.2L 16 valve, SOHC I know that obviously having one fan not working would cause problems but I have to ask the driver side fan is not working but the passenger side one is working but only works when the a/c is turned on, would having the driver side fan not working cause overheating when the a/c is turned on?

-tendency to overheat in stop and go traffic. (with or without a/c)

-doesnt overheat on highway (without a/c)

-tendency to overheat when a/c is on.

 

ok, let me make sure i have the conditions straight...

-A/C off, neither fan comes on
-A/C on, passenger fan (radiator fan) only comes on?

my hypothesis.. two things have failed: your driver's side fan (condensor fan) and your fan switch.

normal temp on the interstate and overheating in traffic is common to either of these failing. when the A/C is on, both fans should also be on. but you are also pulling hotter air across the radiator (coming from the condensor) when the A/C is on. that's why with only one fan working when the A/C is on, the engine is not being cooled.

you should check each fan individually, and the fan switch for opperation. (you want to rule out bad connectors and broken wires before replacing expensive components)

 

Yes
and Yes

 

People talk about testing the fan by hooking it up directly to the battery, how do i know which part of the plug goes to the positive or the negative on the battery?

If I get it backwards will i fry something?

 

Just unplug the wire from the fan switch and put a jumper across the female end of the plug (a paper clip will work) this should turn the fan on. If fan come on ,then the temperature switch is bad. If the fan does not come on then you have a more complicated repair. also see post https://honda-tech.com/forums/showth...3#post38779953

 

The fan itself ended up being the problem, got a used one put in and its good now