The starter died on my CRV, and so yesterday I replaced the starter. This involves removing the intake manifold plenum.

All seemed to go well. It starts and runs fine, but now the radiator cooling fan is not coming on - and the engine is running too warm.

If I turn on the AC both the radiator and condenser fans come on. But the radiator fan itself is not turning on.

It must be something I did. It is acting like the fan is unplugged from the coolant temp switch - but I can't seem to find that. Is it up top near the throttle body? Or is it at the bottom of the radiator? I have looked and cannot find it at either place.

Many thanks if you can help.

 

The radiator fan switch is located at the bottom of the radiator.

 

More info:

I located the cooling fan switch at the bottom the radiator. I unplugged it and jumpered the pins together - both fans come on.

So this is telling me that the switch in the radiator failed? If so, this is bizarre timing.....!!! {??)

<edit> Thanks tech8. I just read your reply. That's the connector I unplugged.

 

When I removed the throttle body / intake plenum, I lost some coolant. After I finished I topped off the reservoir, but I wonder if there is air trapped in the system causing the temp switch to not activate ?

 

I just went through the same thing last week. Top off your coolant and let it run without the radiator cap on for about 15 minutes,this should be enough time to bleed any air out. Don't forget to make sure your reserve tank has the proper amount of coolant too,this fixed my problem.

 

Apologies for not posting an update. I thought I had.

That is essentially what I did. I used one of those spill-proof funnels that attaches to the radiator and let it run. It bled out, and when the thermostat opened the fans came on. I have been driving it and it's been fine.

Now I need to decide whether to change the transmission fluid or not. It was changed at around 110k. It now has 224k...