I'm in need of some assistance identifying what could cause the condenser fan to not spin at full speed.

Things I have done.

• Tested another working condenser fan relay from another car
• Tried different fan on the same car with same result. Does not spin at full speed
• Tested my fan on other car and it spin at full speed

The fan run at full speed if I hook the fan directly to the battery. Any idea on what could cause this?

This is on a 2000 Civic EX

 

Check voltage?

 

This^

...and also test the ground wire.

The fan should receive approximately battery voltage.

 

Here's the result after measuring voltage (have not work on electrical for a long time - might need more guidance)...

I measured the condenser fan connector with the key set to on (engine not running). I get between 59-61 ohms @ 200k. Voltage measured between 11.8-12.1

I decided to test the condenser fan relay 4P socket. Measured from No.2 terminal and ground, I get 0 reading. But if I jump No.2 and No.1 terminal the fan spin just not at full speed. Service manual indicated to replace the under hood fuse/relay but it works when I jumped the terminals.

Another thing to consider... the fan spin at full speed if I connect directly with battery. I have also tested another fan and same problem so fan motor is out of the question.

 

The fan connector gets battery voltage, so the next test is for ground at the black wire.

 

the black wire coming from the fan connector to the body? and how do I test the ground? thanks

 

The test is continuity to body ground.

Post a picture of your multimeter.

 

The meter probes are installed correctly for the test.

Dial the multimeter to the 200 Ohm scale (bottom most setting).

Touch one meter probe to the black wire terminal in the fan connector and the other meter probe to the negative (-) battery post. Post a picture of the Ohm reading.

 

tested while the engine is off. between .2 and .3

 

How did you do the voltage test? What was the multimeter set on?

 

It was set on DCV @ 200 and getting 11.8-12.1. I connected to the connector while the key is set to on.

 

Redo the test with the multimeter set at DCV 20. How exactly did you do the voltage test? Specifically, what did you touch the meter probes to?

 

sorry forgot to mention that I turn on both AC and Fan controller and set key to on (engine is off). will retest.

 

Good. But what did you touch the meter probes to?

 

retested and same process, key is on both ac and fan on, connected to the female connector (white and black). I push it in there (check to make sure it makes good connection). The result this time is between 11.6-11.9 @ 20 DCV as suggested.

 

What voltage do you measure between the two battery posts?

What voltage do you read at the white wire terminal if you use the (-) battery post as ground?

Post pictures of the terminals of the male and female fan connectors.

 

same process, key on ac/fan is on, tested battery (-) and (+) and getting 12.04-12.05. Connected to white wire and (-) on battery as ground and getting 11.91 both are at DCV 20.

 

Your battery is a low on charge.

The tests say that the fan connector has good voltage and ground. Therefore, there may be a bad connection between the terminals of the male and female plugs.

Post pictures of the terminals of the male and female fan connectors.

 

with that in mind, i would say it's the female connector that is bad. I tried another fan with the same female connector and it spin at low speed.

When i connected my fan with another female connector on another car my fan spin at full speed.

 

I agree.

 

it's dark but here are pictures. I will be picking up another female connector and report back.

 

Update:

I would like to say thank you for your help RonJ@HT!!! you are awesome!!!

I gave my wife two options.. 1. Bypass the connector and she'll get a working AC or 2. wait until this weekend and I'll get new connectors... Well due to the heat here in NorCal... she went with option 1. It's confirmed to be working wonderfully!!!!!!!

 

 

I enjoyed following this thread, RonJ@HT was very thorough.

 

This is how a tech post should be. As long as we have accurate info we can help. We don't like doing great guessing games.