Cooling fans are not turning on?

Tiny
WARNERSHAWNUTAH
  • MEMBER
  • 1995 BUICK RIVIERA
  • 3.8L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 195,000 MILES
I have the car listed above supercharged. I got everything working well on this car and it's close to road worthy but one thing I'm having problems with is the cooling fans aren't kicking on when they are supposed to.

The fuse is good and I will double check the relays to make sure they aren't bad.

Can you provide a diagram of that circuit and how it works please?

Also, any suggestions will help as to how to proceed with troubleshooting. The car sat for a long time, and I've had to do quite a bit to get it ready.

It seemed like the fans were working correctly once but not usually so maybe it's something going out or intermittent.

So, I think I'll double check the relays because that's easy, but if it's not that, what's the next step?

What's the part of sensor that tells the fans when to turn on? And where is it located?

These are the things I need to know if just how to specifically diagnose this problem.

Thank you so much!
Wednesday, May 8th, 2024 AT 9:17 AM

9 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
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The fans are controlled by the PCM, can I ask you if you turn the A/C system on do the fan kick on? Here is the fan relay location and the cooling fan wiring diagrams so you can check out how the system works. I have also seen the cooling fan motor itself go out which is common. Please go over these guides to help you fix it.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester

Here is how to change the radiator motor out which once you have it out you can bench test it. The fan motor on the left is the main motor while the right-hand fan motor is the auxiliary fan. Check out the images (below). Please upload pictures or videos in your response to any problems so we can see what to help you with.

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Wednesday, May 8th, 2024 AT 1:31 PM
Tiny
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Okay, so when the car is on, I don't ever see the fans come on when they're supposed to, and right now I have issues with probably the climate control, because the vents don't blow so I don't have any ventilation in the car. But when I turn the car off after it's above temperature, and then turn the key to on, the low-speed fans will run until it cools down and then they turn off. But the high-speed fans never turn on, and I couldn't see any difference from trying the AC but, like I said, the A/C isn't functional.

I was reading somewhere that if the climate control isn't working it can cause the high speed fans to stop working as well, is that true?

I replaced the coolant temperature sensor.

Next I will test the fans themselves with 12 volt just to make sure they run at high speed, but if they're running at low speed then I imagine they should run at high speed as well, from what I can see these fans run parallel on low speed so they each get 6 volts for low speed.

Do you mind sending me a picture of the climate control board and location, I think I need to replace that, unless it's the blower motor, but I think it's probably the climate control board.

Let me know what you think, and I'll post any updates and pics as I progress further with troubleshooting. Thank you
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Friday, May 10th, 2024 AT 7:31 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Okay, yes, the fans will not work correctly without the climate control working. The reason I asked if the fan worked with the A/C system is because the fans will run with the A/C on which are controlled through the PCM. Also, recheck the system fuses to make sure they have power, you can tell which fuses are used by checking the wiring diagrams above.
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Saturday, May 11th, 2024 AT 1:15 PM
Tiny
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Okay, so when the car is on my dash it's all functional for climate control, like I can see the temperature displayed and I can try to switch the functions for AIR and so that. But there is no response, no moving air, etc.

I'm assuming it's the control board under the glove box. But I'm just not sure exactly what it is, what it looks like, etc.

I found a thread of somebody having the same issues and they replaced a blower control module and that fixed the problem for them.

Is that what I need to be looking at? Is it called an HVAC programmer or blower control module or are those the same thing?

Can you please send me some pictures and diagrams of what to check or test?

Please give me some details as to how to proceed with troubleshooting it.
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Sunday, May 12th, 2024 AT 8:10 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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Yep, the HVAC programmers go out in these cars, they are difficult to check without the correct equipment so you might need to send it into a rebuilder to have it checked. Here is the location so you can check it out. Check out the images (below). Let us know how it goes.
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Sunday, May 12th, 2024 AT 12:08 PM
Tiny
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Okay, so I went ahead and ordered an HVAC Programmer from Swan Auto. It's a used one, but that's fine. I installed it and now I have ventilation inside the car. When I turned the air on I still didn't see anything from the cooling fans in the engine bay.

This car sat for a long time, I imagine freon is low. I was reading that can impact the fans, I'm not sure.

Now I need to go through and double check the relays etc.

I'm mostly concerned about just being able to drive this thing without worrying about engine temps. I don't want to damage the motor.

I have a couple questions at this point.

Can low freon cause the fans to not come on?

Does the engine temperature sensor control the temperature gauge inside the car or is that a different sensor?

I replaced that but am possibly thinking to just double check connections there because I used the cheap wire pinch connectors that came with the electrical connector which I replaced with the sensor because the old one, the wires were very brittle right at the connector.

It's got to be something simple at this point. I'll continue troubleshooting and keep updating you with what I find, in the meantime please answer those couple questions and anything Else you feel might be pertinent for me to check. Thank you
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Thursday, May 16th, 2024 AT 7:52 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Yes, if the A/C does not run the fan will not as well.

Yes, the engine temperature sensor is the only sensor, and the temperature gauge is run from the PCM.

Here is a guide to help check the refrigerant level:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/air-conditioner-how-to-add-freon

No problem, we are here to help, let us know how it goes.

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Friday, May 17th, 2024 AT 9:31 AM
Tiny
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Well, I bought some Freon and was going to check it, but the vents weren't blowing again. I went under the hood and tapped on the fuse box in the front passenger engine bay near the headlight. Then the fans came on, so I was really happy about that. Then I got to thinking maybe inside the cab the blower motor or control module is going out, so I turned on the air, reached under and tapped on the blower motor and it turned on too. So looks like I need to double check all connections in the fuse box, and the relays. And it looks like I'm the near future I may need to replace the blower motor and module. When I get the chance I'll double check power at the blower motor to make sure the voltage increases with the fan speed like it should etc. Then I can replace whatever I need to there as I'm able. Thank you for your help and guidance in the process.
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Monday, May 20th, 2024 AT 4:51 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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You are welcome, please let me know what out find.
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Tuesday, May 21st, 2024 AT 8:24 AM

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