Hopefully you didn't do any damage to the head gaskets.
help
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
help
I recently bought a 1989 Corvette. I thought I was getting a good deal at $ 5000. Oh how I was. I drove it home from the dealer and found it was overheating. Took it back they replaced the radiator and top & bottom hoses. Still overheated. So took it to another mechanic he replaced the thermostat,censors, fan motor, water pump, and hoses crom heater core. Tht was 3 trips to him still car overheated. I then took it to a third mechanic he replacdd thr censors again ont the second trip he replaced the ECM computer still radiator fan will not come on. Any ideas on how to get the radiator fan running would be appreciated.
Moderator Emeritus
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 46,133
Likes: 111
From: Maryville Tn
CI 5 thru 12 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '23
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 878
Likes: 2
Ok i have my book out i bought on Ebay...thrilled i get to use it already. Have you traced voltages with a meter? See if voltage is getting to the fan? Trace backwards looking for an open. Also fusible link D is in the circuit. It's located inboard to the battery near the firewall. You should be able to trace your way to the correct one with your meter and see if it's open.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 11,470
Likes: 763
to what question? with all the stuff you had replaced, i'd find a competent mechanic and not a bunch of parts changers to troubleshoot the cooling system. get a copy of the FSM - i'm sure there's a proper, step by step, procedure somewhere between those red covers.
unfortunately, most of these cars are sold as-is and w/o warranty. it's a buyer beware issue here.
good gawd, with all the crap you've had replaced, why don't you find another idiot mechanic and just have him jack up the frickin' license plate, and slide in another car.
good gawd, with all the crap you've had replaced, why don't you find another idiot mechanic and just have him jack up the frickin' license plate, and slide in another car.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,181
Likes: 286
From: Puyallup Washington
What temperature are you calling overheating? The cars are designed to run hotter than other cars. If the car is truly overheating then you need to troubleshoot the cooling system, which includes the fan, according to the manual. One of the temp sensors will supply the temp to the ECM and it will send a signal to turn on the fan. You will need to check all that is happening when the fan is supposed to turn on.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 878
Likes: 2
With ignition in run position. Jumper terminal B on the ALDL connector to ground see if the fan comes on. ECM connector C1 dark green and white wire to ground see if fan comes on. If it runs it's pointing at the ecm. The next test procedure is calling for the use of a Test Lamp. Does anyone know what tool this is referring to?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,037
Likes: 28
From: Montclair New Jersey
When I got my 86. The fan didn't come either. It was the fusable link behind the battery. I don't know if all years are the same. I learned alot on the forum but; you will have to do some of the work yourself.
Good Luck with the car....
Good Luck with the car....
Moderator Emeritus
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 46,133
Likes: 111
From: Maryville Tn
CI 5 thru 12 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '23
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 1,331
Likes: 2
Might have an air pocket in the lines. Take the water hose off from the thermostat housing and pour some water coolant mix in there, until coolant begins weeping out of the thermostat housing.
Not sure why the fan isn't kicking on, alot of guys say it won't turn on till 220. I am pretty sure mine kicks in at 200 something. Because assuming the car doesn't have a large airbubble in the system, mine never gets above 210 in the summer months. (and I live in NC. Not uncommon for us to hit 100+)
Not sure why the fan isn't kicking on, alot of guys say it won't turn on till 220. I am pretty sure mine kicks in at 200 something. Because assuming the car doesn't have a large airbubble in the system, mine never gets above 210 in the summer months. (and I live in NC. Not uncommon for us to hit 100+)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,226
Likes: 697
From: Clifton Park, NY ............Clearwater, FL ... 85 Original Owner
