I just completed a headgasket replacement (along with the timing belt, water pump, valve cover gasket, thermostat) on a 98 Acura CL w/the 2.3L 4 Cylinder 5 Speed. After getting the engine back together, and starting it, I noticed as soon as I turned the key on, the cooling fan kicked on and stays on. It did not do this before I started the headgasket replacement.

• Pulled the relay, it shuts down.
• Unplug the Switch on the thermostat housing, stays on,
• unplug the other fan switch on the upper rad hose housing, stays on,
• unplug the ECT, fan stays on, unplug all three of those and the fan still stays on.

I purchased the car with a bad headgasket, and noticed that it had gotten so hot it started to melt the timing cover closest to the head as well as the wiring near the thermostat, so i removed the melting wiring loom looking for melted/chaffed wires and couldnt find anything.

Check engine light is on, I havent pulled codes just yet, but I suspect thats from the from the broken Knock Sensor.

I suspect the engine harness has damage, if i unplug one of the shock tower plugs on the passenger side, the fan turns off. Im wondering if one of the fan switches is grounding out.

Is the engine harness from a 98-02 Accord EX 2.3L going to be the same as the CL? different part numbers (using afhparts and acuraoemparts)

 

Sometimes it's possible to accidentally swap connectors. Double and triple check that your connectors are correct. Don't just guess. Then double check wiring.

 

Which connectors are you referring to? Because, I dont see it being possible to swap any of the 3 sensors since theyre so far apart from each other on the F23 engine.

 

Not sure on that car. If you're sure you didn't swap any then you should be fine.

 

You were right, I mixed up the vtp plug and fan switch.