Radiator fan not working
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 45
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Radiator fan not working
Coolant over temp tonight to 264 degrees F while on the highway at 65 mph with outside ambient temp of about 60 F. When I was able to stop I noted that passenger side fan wasn't running. Could that one thing be enough to cause such a high temp? Certainly I need to get that fixed, but would that alone be the cause of the high temp?
Also the A/C and heater completely stopped today as well. The blower fan won't run at all.
Check Engine light too...
At least she looks good!
Also the A/C and heater completely stopped today as well. The blower fan won't run at all.
Check Engine light too...
At least she looks good!
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: Bath PA
You need to be careful, that's really high. You could blow a head gasket. Mine only got that high when my serpentine belt broke. Maybe the water pump is going bad. Do you hear any skwealing under the hood ? Have you tested your coolant ? Both fans should be on. I am not sure if only one fan could cause that issue.
With the blower and fans, check all your fuses first. The ones under the hood and ones under the passenger side foot well. If all the fuse are good try swapping the fans. Before swapping the fans, monitor the first one. It should come on around 217 approx. If it does shut the car off and let it cool down. Swapp the fans and see if the other fan works.
I would start there and see what you find.
With the blower and fans, check all your fuses first. The ones under the hood and ones under the passenger side foot well. If all the fuse are good try swapping the fans. Before swapping the fans, monitor the first one. It should come on around 217 approx. If it does shut the car off and let it cool down. Swapp the fans and see if the other fan works.
I would start there and see what you find.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2010
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I will check the fuses this morning. I don't hear sqweeking, but I did just have the tensioner changed. Would it be possible that if the tensioner isn't on correctly that it would negatively affect the water pump and the A/C? Seems possible to me I guess.
I do the fans this morning too. Thanks.
I do the fans this morning too. Thanks.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 45
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Found a plastic bag wrapped around the fan motor which caused it to burn out and blow the fuse. Ordered a new fan motor and will replace that soon.
Also flushed the coolant (at 98K it was about time anyway) and changed out the thermostat. After all that it maxes out at 198 degrees on the coolant temp. I think I'm back in busines!!
Thanks for the help!
Also flushed the coolant (at 98K it was about time anyway) and changed out the thermostat. After all that it maxes out at 198 degrees on the coolant temp. I think I'm back in busines!!
Thanks for the help!
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,389
Likes: 3
From: somewhere shooting my assault rifles
The fans DO NOT turn off above speeds of 35 mph if A/C is off and coolant temps are above fan turn on point. If the coolant temp is above the fan turn on point then they will come on above 35 mph no matter how fast you are going above 35 mph. Ive seen this on many cars including my 03 Z06. The only time fans will not come on above 35 mph is if A/C is on as mentioned above.
I tested this again this week to show someone and they did turn on at 70 mph when I set my fans to come on at 170 degrees for the test to prove they will come on above 35 mph. We watched my fans cycle on and off at 70 mph.
Most people have their fan turn on points well below what coolant temps would be above 35 mph anyway so they dont notice them even being on or off.
Last edited by Z06supercharged; Nov 17, 2010 at 04:07 AM.
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Drifting
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,389
Likes: 3
From: somewhere shooting my assault rifles
Im sure yours goes off above 35 mph because your coolant temp is probably way over the fan on temp or a better question is how do you know they arent turning on above 35 mph?
Stock low fan temp comes on at 226 so you can bet they are gonna be off over 35 mph anyway from enough air going through radiator cavity area to keep it cool enough not to need fans on most peoples cars unless they have been changed. Turn your low fan on temp down to 170 as a test and your fans will come on over 35 mph.
Shop manuals? Ive run across dozens of false information in shop manuals before so that isnt a 100% for sure thing to state things from there all the time.
The shop manual and tuners table only states the fans are off with A/C ON above 35 mph just as you stated above. Doesn't say anything about them turning off at a certain speed with A/C OFF.
Stock low fan temp comes on at 226 so you can bet they are gonna be off over 35 mph anyway from enough air going through radiator cavity area to keep it cool enough not to need fans on most peoples cars unless they have been changed. Turn your low fan on temp down to 170 as a test and your fans will come on over 35 mph.
Shop manuals? Ive run across dozens of false information in shop manuals before so that isnt a 100% for sure thing to state things from there all the time.
The shop manual and tuners table only states the fans are off with A/C ON above 35 mph just as you stated above. Doesn't say anything about them turning off at a certain speed with A/C OFF.
Last edited by Z06supercharged; Nov 17, 2010 at 12:47 PM.
