Radiator Fan not working

Tiny
CPO688
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
Four cylinder two wheel drive manual 180,000 miles.

Radiator fan only runs when A/C is on. I replaced temperature sensor located on top pipe on right front of engine. Still problem is the same. Also, if I unplug the sensor the fan runs continuously.
Friday, September 24th, 2010 AT 3:10 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
Changes are the system is working just fine but the gauge is off a little. I would run this test, use an infrared temp gun or a thermometer and just the temperature of the engine while it is running and compare it to the gauge.

Here is a guide to help you:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-an-infrared-temperature-meter

Please let us know what you find.

Cheers
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Friday, September 24th, 2010 AT 3:15 PM
Tiny
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I check the engine with the turkey thermometer and you are right it is running cooler than the gauge says about twelve degrees. So what should I do change the gauge out?
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Friday, September 24th, 2010 AT 5:58 PM
Tiny
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What happens is the gauge becomes a little off over time and vibration pf the car which means you need the gauge which may or may not be available separately.

Here is some more information I found:

Cooling System Description and Operation

Cooling Fan Control

The engine cooling fan system consists of one cooling fan and one relay. The relay is powered by the battery positive voltage circuit and controlled by a switched ground from the powertrain control module (PCM).
During operation, the PCM supplies the ground path for the cooling fan relay through the cooling fan relay control circuit. This energizes the cooling fan relay coil, closes the relay contacts, and supplies battery positive voltage from the cooling fan fuse through the cooling fan motor supply voltage circuit to the cooling fan. The cooling fan motor is grounded through its own ground circuit.
The PCM commands the fan on under the following conditions:

* Engine coolant temperature exceeds approximately 106 °C (223 °F).
* A/C refrigerant pressure exceeds 1310 kPa (190 psi).
* A/C is requested and vehicle speed is below 100 km/h (62 MPH) with A/C pressure above 1413 kPa (205 PSI).
* Vehicle speed is less than 8 km/h (5 mph) for more than 750 seconds. The fan will turn off when vehicle speed is greater than 8 km/h (5 mph) for more than 20 seconds.
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Friday, September 24th, 2010 AT 6:03 PM
Tiny
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Okay, thanks for the information. Should I just put a piece of tape over by the needle as normal operation temperature?
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Friday, September 24th, 2010 AT 6:11 PM
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
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That will work just fine.

Here is a guide to help you know if you have a problem or not:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/symptoms-of-an-overheating-engine

Please use 2CarPros anytime, we are here to help. Please tell a friend.

Cheers
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Friday, September 24th, 2010 AT 6:19 PM
Tiny
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Thanks I will, this site is great!
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Friday, September 24th, 2010 AT 6:49 PM
Tiny
THIS IS MIKE
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We have a lot of professional technicians that are both paid and volunteer a considerable amount of time trying to help.
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Thursday, September 30th, 2010 AT 11:20 PM

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