Question about temp control
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,619
Likes: 1
From: Salem Oregon
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
Question about temp control
I am a little puzzled as I have never ran across this before, but when I turn off my temp control, and just want to let the fresh air in, I notice the car gets really hot.
When I/we installed the fog light bulbs, I cleaned out in front of the radiator at the same time, as I thought that might have something to do with it, but it wasnt bad at all. Then we had some really HOT temps for here, had the top off, and again turned off the temp control, and it again heated up way higher then normal. (Almost redlined)
Is this a normal thing for these cars? I know that they are tempermental, and thought perhaps I would try just turning it down to around 70, and keep it on low, and the temp dropped, and stayed that way as long as it was running on low.
Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Laura
When I/we installed the fog light bulbs, I cleaned out in front of the radiator at the same time, as I thought that might have something to do with it, but it wasnt bad at all. Then we had some really HOT temps for here, had the top off, and again turned off the temp control, and it again heated up way higher then normal. (Almost redlined)
Is this a normal thing for these cars? I know that they are tempermental, and thought perhaps I would try just turning it down to around 70, and keep it on low, and the temp dropped, and stayed that way as long as it was running on low.
Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Laura
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,531
Likes: 1
From: Conroe TEXAS!
Cruise-In X Veteran
The secondary fan kicks on when you turn the climate control on. It bypasses the (ecm or switch??) allowing it to run constantly. At least thats how it works on my 90. My Tpi camaro was the same as well.
Even with the climate controll turned off, It should kick the aux. fan on somewhere before (220*?) I have no idea what the LTX's run at, and what the spec is for the fans on/off.
Even with the climate controll turned off, It should kick the aux. fan on somewhere before (220*?) I have no idea what the LTX's run at, and what the spec is for the fans on/off.
Last edited by Firevette; May 22, 2008 at 02:48 AM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,619
Likes: 1
From: Salem Oregon
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,619
Likes: 1
From: Salem Oregon
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
The secondary fan kicks on when you turn the climate control on. It bypasses the (ecm or switch??) allowing it to run constantly. At least thats how it works on my 90. My Tpi camaro was the same as well.
Even with the climate controll turned off, It should kick the aux. fan on somewhere before (220*?) I have no idea what the LTX's run at, and what the spec is for the fans on/off.
Even with the climate controll turned off, It should kick the aux. fan on somewhere before (220*?) I have no idea what the LTX's run at, and what the spec is for the fans on/off.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
If a fan comes on when A/C is on then ECM fan control is ok, at least on that fan.
So it sounds as though the temp sensor used by the ECM may be faulty or disconnected.
Maybe someone with a '96 will pop in to give the location of said sensor.
So it sounds as though the temp sensor used by the ECM may be faulty or disconnected.
Maybe someone with a '96 will pop in to give the location of said sensor.
Last edited by 65Z01; May 22, 2008 at 03:11 AM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,619
Likes: 1
From: Salem Oregon
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
So far the ac hasnt been used, I usually have the temp set at about 70-75
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,715
Likes: 27
From: Kempner Texas
On my 96, in stop and go traffic on days when the ambient temp is in the 70s - like yesterday - and climate control is OFF my coolant temp needle reaches almost to the hash mark area on the gauge. When I check the digital read-out the temp is 223F.
Then the fan kicks in and the temp drops almost immediately. Both 96s I've owned and my son's 96 do the same, so this must be normal.
I've forgotten the exact temps the fan kicks on/off but they should be found on one of the sites.
I plan to have Bryan at PCMFORLESS re-program my stock PCM next week and one of the things he changes is the temp that the fan kicks on/off. He did a PCM for me on my previous 96 and the positive difference, not only in coolant temp, was dramatic and instantly noticable. After the re-programming the needle remained at mid-gauge; virtually centered.
The analog temp gauge isn't linear. So even as the needle closes in on the hash-mark area, the coolant temp isn't really all that high. In my case it was still in the low 220s.
These engines were designed tby GM o run on the hot side. Probably due to emission requirements and fuel mileage.
Jake
Then the fan kicks in and the temp drops almost immediately. Both 96s I've owned and my son's 96 do the same, so this must be normal.
I've forgotten the exact temps the fan kicks on/off but they should be found on one of the sites.
I plan to have Bryan at PCMFORLESS re-program my stock PCM next week and one of the things he changes is the temp that the fan kicks on/off. He did a PCM for me on my previous 96 and the positive difference, not only in coolant temp, was dramatic and instantly noticable. After the re-programming the needle remained at mid-gauge; virtually centered.
The analog temp gauge isn't linear. So even as the needle closes in on the hash-mark area, the coolant temp isn't really all that high. In my case it was still in the low 220s.
These engines were designed tby GM o run on the hot side. Probably due to emission requirements and fuel mileage.
Jake
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,620
Likes: 206
From: Orlando FL
On a 96 both fans run at the same speed. There are three modes, both fans are OFF, LOW speed, or HIGH speed. At approximately 228* both fans come on low speed. Then at 239* both fans come on at high speed.
When the A/C is turned on, both should come on at low speed.
When the A/C is turned on, both should come on at low speed.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,619
Likes: 1
From: Salem Oregon
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
On my 96, in stop and go traffic on days when the ambient temp is in the 70s - like yesterday - and climate control is OFF my coolant temp needle reaches almost to the hash mark area on the gauge. When I check the digital read-out the temp is 223F.
Then the fan kicks in and the temp drops almost immediately. Both 96s I've owned and my son's 96 do the same, so this must be normal.
I've forgotten the exact temps the fan kicks on/off but they should be found on one of the sites.
I plan to have Bryan at PCMFORLESS re-program my stock PCM next week and one of the things he changes is the temp that the fan kicks on/off. He did a PCM for me on my previous 96 and the positive difference, not only in coolant temp, was dramatic and instantly noticable. After the re-programming the needle remained at mid-gauge; virtually centered.
The analog temp gauge isn't linear. So even as the needle closes in on the hash-mark area, the coolant temp isn't really all that high. In my case it was still in the low 220s.
These engines were designed tby GM o run on the hot side. Probably due to emission requirements and fuel mileage.
Jake
Then the fan kicks in and the temp drops almost immediately. Both 96s I've owned and my son's 96 do the same, so this must be normal.
I've forgotten the exact temps the fan kicks on/off but they should be found on one of the sites.
I plan to have Bryan at PCMFORLESS re-program my stock PCM next week and one of the things he changes is the temp that the fan kicks on/off. He did a PCM for me on my previous 96 and the positive difference, not only in coolant temp, was dramatic and instantly noticable. After the re-programming the needle remained at mid-gauge; virtually centered.
The analog temp gauge isn't linear. So even as the needle closes in on the hash-mark area, the coolant temp isn't really all that high. In my case it was still in the low 220s.
These engines were designed tby GM o run on the hot side. Probably due to emission requirements and fuel mileage.
Jake
Is there anyway to tell if it has other then sound? What do I need to look for to find out how the fans are set?Thanks for all this advice and knowledge, as I absolutely do NOT want any damage to the engine due to overheating, I monitor the anti-freeze constantly to make sure that it is full.
Thanks,
Laura
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,715
Likes: 27
From: Kempner Texas
My exhaust is all stock and as quiet as a church mouse and I can't even hear my fans come on.
Start with a cold engine. Raise the hood and start the engine. Set the digital dash control to give the coolant temp digital readout. Watch the fans to see when they come on. Then take a look at the digital temp AND the coolant temp needle.
This may take a while for the coolant temp to rise. Revving the engine should speed things up.
Jake
Start with a cold engine. Raise the hood and start the engine. Set the digital dash control to give the coolant temp digital readout. Watch the fans to see when they come on. Then take a look at the digital temp AND the coolant temp needle.
This may take a while for the coolant temp to rise. Revving the engine should speed things up.
Jake
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,619
Likes: 1
From: Salem Oregon
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
My exhaust is all stock and as quiet as a church mouse and I can't even hear my fans come on.
Start with a cold engine. Raise the hood and start the engine. Set the digital dash control to give the coolant temp digital readout. Watch the fans to see when they come on. Then take a look at the digital temp AND the coolant temp needle.
This may take a while for the coolant temp to rise. Revving the engine should speed things up.
Jake
Start with a cold engine. Raise the hood and start the engine. Set the digital dash control to give the coolant temp digital readout. Watch the fans to see when they come on. Then take a look at the digital temp AND the coolant temp needle.
This may take a while for the coolant temp to rise. Revving the engine should speed things up.
Jake
Thanks, I will try that today as long as it doesnt rain again!
Laura