1997 Honda Accord Wagon LX L4-2156cc 2.2L SOHC MFI

Fans do not work after ignition off.

Already replaced: Honda genuine fan timer, hi-temp sensor, lo-temp sensor, gauge sensor, ac fan, rad fan, radiator, hoses.

Both fans work except when engine off. I have replaced Civic valves when Civic head failed. I wish to avoid a repeat. I run Accord fans with engine "on", no spark, for longer trips. AC-on for all local trips. Summer is here and that's a problem.

Please advise with any suggestions. Does Honda sell bad Tsunami timers?

Thanx.

 

Fans only work with the ignition off if the temperature of the engine climbs to a point needed to turn them on. They don't always turn on. In fact, in cold weather they probably won't.

 

Exactly. If they are running when you turn the car off, especially if you were running the ac, they will run till it cools enough to not be past temp.


Posted from Honda-tech.com App for Android

 

After a hot engine is shut off, with ignition to ON, fans run. With ignition to OFF, nothing even after a few minutes. I now stay to let the fans run (ignition ON) for a couple of minutes to spare the heads. This suggests to me that the sensors/switches act right. My thought is that the timer should monitor the coolant temp and do the on/off appropriately for me. I suspect that the brand new timer from Honda is bad but wanted to put this out there for other ideas. Of all the sensor/switches, the timer costs the most and runs ~$40 from Honda. I may try a scrap yard version next. Honda Parts has been disappointing from the moment I walked in to spec the part by Year and Model and VIN only to be told I would need a PN. I left and returned with the PN only to then have to order the part.

Any ideas I am overlooking?

 

Funny, I've been suffering from the exact same problem, only in reverse - my fan won't shut off, or will turn on by itself at 3 in the morning after the car hasn't moved in hours...maybe we could get the two rides together to sort themselves out?

Mine is '92, but sounds like the same system/components. In regards to the fan timer, I priced one at $262 (CDN) from Honda, said screw that and pulled a wrecker one for $1.99.

Haven't put it in yet but I'm thinking it will be the ticket.

I would say that maybe you got a bum timer from Honda. My faith in OEM Honda stuff has gone down a lot in the last couple years, did a full front end re-build with factory parts and the ball-joints lasted no longer than less than half price aftermarkets....

One thing that I heard might affect fan operation is the underhood fuse box - not sure how yours is routed, but perhaps the current is not getting to the relay from the timer right? Also, have you tried a different fan relay, I don't see how it would make a difference, but if you have access to a wrecker donor, might be something to rule out.

 

The fan switch for the car when the ignition is off has a higher temperature threshold then the one when the ignition is set to on. I don't remember the exacts but i think it's 205 vs 190 or something like that, respectively.

 

Actually there is a larger spread.....more like 223 vs 199 for thermo b vs thermo a.

So key on and ~199, fans kick on. Key off and ~223 fan kicks on.

So to the OP - has thermo B (green connector where the upper hose connects to engine) been tested? Have you used anything to actually measure the temp on the housing?

To "Dan" - have you tested the cond fan relay to be sure it isn't stuck closed? "Timers" on the 4th gens (90-93) are more prone for going bad - see techauto links - vs "timers" on the 5th gens (94-97)....in fact I'm trying to remember the last time I saw a timer on a 5th go bad??????

 

When you say 'cond fan relay', are you referring to the rad fan relay, or a condenser fan relay (I've never had a CB with air, so know nothing about the A/C system, if the relay you're talking about is for an A/C condenser, wouldn't apply to me, but would love to know if there's a relay that I don't know about...). If you're talking about the rad fan relay in the under-hood fuse panel, I tried three different used ones, and the problem didn't change....

And also, I should have mentioned, mine's a '92, so your point about bum 3rd gen timers is on point!

 

On the 4th gens (90-93) the cond fan -left/drivers side - relay is under the hood on the left drivers side....behind the headlight.....next to the ac comp clutch relay. Of course now that I think - yes I have a hard time with that - you never did say "which" fan runs all the time. I've got a pic of the location of the cond & ac clutch relay loc if needed.

3rd gens (86-89) are another animal all together....I can help with those for anyone that needs help, currently own three of them

 

Thankfully I only have the right (passenger side) fan, so don't have to worry about that, but thanks for the info!

 

Dan, just replace the fan timer and see what happens. That should fix your problem

To the OP, just use a paperclip with the ignition off to jumper the connector to the switch that goes to the outlet housing at the top radiator hose. If the fan works at that time then you just need another thermo b.

I'm guessing that the OP is one and done here.