I bought a car a few weeks ago.( stock 95 4dr. It didn't run when i bought it, I am just getting it road worthy again) and I noticed the cooling fan was not turning on. I started to look around and found that it had been wired a switch at onetime but now was stuck under the dash to a empty fuse slot. I tested the fan, it worked, and wired it back to wiring harness but the fan still wont turn on. Any ideas on what else I can look at?


*the temperature gauge is working in dash
*checked relay and fuse

 

Check the fan switch on the thermostat housing.

http://autorepair.about.com/library/a/1h/bl791h.htm

 

checked relay its fine, still not turning on when car is running

 

When I replaced my radiator I was told to heat cycle the engine until the fan came on, I had my car sitting in my driveway for and hour and 15 minutes before my fan came on, which lasted about 45 seconds before it went off.

I have the D16Y8, but I know these Honda engines don't really run hot...ever

 

With your car OFF, disconnect the plug from the fan switch on thermostat housing... jump the connector with a paper clip and turn on your ignition, if the fan turns on the wiring is fine and chances are your car just isn't hot enough make the fan run. Is the car overheating? The fans on these cars are more or less a back up for cooling, I have a z6 and the fan RARELY turns on.

EDIT: You could also start the car and once it has warmed up, hold the rpm's around 2k for a couple of minutes... should turn on.

 

Did you check the steps in the link I posted? The switch isn't the relay.

 

figure anything out? You can also check continuity at the fan switch on thermostat to determine if the switch is bad.

 

Sorry guys i have been super bizzy with work and my daughter. I would like to say thank you all for the help. The car had a blown head gasket, I replaced it run great now. I haven't driven it for more then 10 mile. I did let it run for about an hour and it never heated up more than half way.

I jump the connector with a paper clip and the fan came on, so that mean the wiring is good right? so dose that mean the switch is bad?

 

When you jumped it, if the fan kicked on that means your wiring/relay/fuse are in working order... now you need to get a multi-meter and check the switch itself for continuity to determine if it is bad. I don't think you mentioned anything about it overheating, just the fan not kicking on. As I mentioned, these fans are merely a back up... it actually takes a bit to get them to kick on. Check coolant level also, low coolant can keep everything from working properly.

 

Mine will cycle on and off for about 45 seconds exactly. I was shocked at how consistent it is. I've observed this for a while and my temp gauge is always normal, even in 95 degree heat while stuck in traffic.

 

Well tested the Switch, couldn't get any continuity. Although it took me a while because of the angle of the plug. I bought a new one and i still need to put it in. Wish me luck!!!

 

Make sure you don't over-tighten, and it probably wouldn't be a bad idea to use some teflon paste, or tape.

Let us know.

Edit: Have you let it warm up and hold throttle around 2k for a few minutes?

 

+1 what he said.

You know the fan is good, the wiring is good. All that is really left is the temp sensor to trigger fans. I am going to guess your car is fine and just is not hot enough to turn the fans.
I am a mechanic I do TONS of radiators/coolant flushes, etc... I actually hook up a obdII to cars that have the port and monitor the car. MOST cars will not turn the fan on to well after 220f. You have to either drive your car around the block or rev it a LOT to get it to heat up enough to kick your fans on.

The easy way to test your car is get on a freeway that has two close exits. GO WOT from a dead stop from one freeway on ramp to the other freeway exit. Exit quickly, pop your hood and check your fans.

The geek way to check your fans is to wire a 12v LED to your coolant fans and run it into the car. When your car gets hot enough the LED will light up.

 

My uncle had the problem on hos civic i swapped the plug from the fan and now it works

 

Well what a day!!! LOL I got the fan to work, so thank you all for the help, BUT on my way to work the Timing belt broke. I'm just going to wait for my tax's and swap in an LS or something.

 

ahhhh man, I'm sorry to see that... was it an old belt? Glad the temp issue was fixed but it looks like you have a bigger issue now, not being a dick just trying to lighten up the situation. GL on the swap man, if you have any questions hit us up.

 

lol New "Duralast 30 miles" timing belt, yea next time ill be going to honda for parts.

 

Is she a goner? Id get anlther belt n.see. if she will last yoy a bit more til the swap.

 

If i had more time I would, I have a few other cars to drive around. I was just going to use this car to save gas. (I commute 400+ mile a week for work). So she's just gonna have to wait a while. I love the way the EG sedans look. I had one in high school wish I had never sold it. This one was for sell and I couldn't pass up a $800 civic.

 

I've had a Gates t-belt/water pump/tensioner pulley for a while with no issues... the only thing is you have to play around with the adjustment to get the tension set correctly since it's not an OEM belt.

 

Some Honda OEM belts are Gates.

 

i have replaced the temp switch on the t-stat housing the fan still wont kick on even if you hold rpms high if u jump it it will come on dont really want to put it on a toggle switch want it to work the right way what do i do....it a 95 honda del sol 1.5S