Cooling issues
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3
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Cooling issues
Hi! I have a 1996 corvette with 30,000 miles and the problem I'm having is the cooling fan won't kick on when temps get high. I have been resolving this issue by turning on the a/c which the fan will run at this time. I want to resolve this issue without having the a/c on. I'm thinking a bad relay but don't know where to start. Thanks for any info into this matter!
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 11,769
Likes: 175
From: Rolla Missouri
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
St. Jude Donor '10 thru '25
I think you might be in for a bit of of surprise here.
But, how hot are you letting it get?
Switch the digital temp gauge on, and what is the temp?
From the 1996 FSM:
Fans on low speed at 219 F and off at 207 F
Fans on high speed at 228 F and off at 214 F
This is hotter than most newcomers are used too, but perfectly acceptable for the Corvette.
Now if yours is getting hotter than that, you might have an issue.
I believe if your fans are coming on with the A/C, then the relays are good.
But, how hot are you letting it get?
Switch the digital temp gauge on, and what is the temp?
From the 1996 FSM:
Fans on low speed at 219 F and off at 207 F
Fans on high speed at 228 F and off at 214 F
This is hotter than most newcomers are used too, but perfectly acceptable for the Corvette.
Now if yours is getting hotter than that, you might have an issue.
I believe if your fans are coming on with the A/C, then the relays are good.
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
The temp will climb as far as you will let it. I think the most I have seen it get is around 265 and still climbing. I've had the car since 1998 with only 4,000 miles on it. The fan would always come on when it reached around the temp that you stated but not anymore. If I sit in traffic on a hot day I have to watch the temp gauge so it don't boil over. Most of the time I would kick on the a/c to cool it down.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 11,769
Likes: 175
From: Rolla Missouri
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
St. Jude Donor '10 thru '25
The needle will get pretty close to the shaded area before the fans kick on. But look close, the needle should not actually be in the shaded area.
Since it won't be all the way over to the right side, you can't say it was 265 and climbing. The gauge only goes to 260.
Now, set your digital display to show the coolant temp and let it idle until that gauge show in the 225-230 range. I'll bet your cooling fans come on then.
If your cooling system is working properly and the coolant mix is correct, it won't boil over until close to 260.
Don't let the digital gauge go over 235 though if you don't see the cooling fans come on.
