Engine cooling fan does not come on when the engine gets to temperature

NBCOKEMAN

MEMBER
1989 PONTIAC FIREBIRD
5.7L
V8
2WD
AUTOMATIC
88,000 MILES

I have the car listed above GTA, I know this has been covered for the 1986 model but doesn't seem to match the 1989 model unless I'm missing something. The cooling fan doesn't come on when the engine gets to temperature. The emergency fan will come on around the 238 degree mark as stated for the A/C side. The A/C isn't operational in this particular car. I've see the temperature sensor switch at the thermostat housing and it is reading temperature on the dash so I'm pretty sure that is working properly. I cannot locate a fan control switch on the radiator. Maybe I'm looking in the wrong locations. Please help!

1 Reply

ASEMASTER6371

MECHANIC
52,797 POSTS

Good afternoon,

There is no emergency fan on the car. There are 2 fans, one for the cooling system and one for the A/C.

The cooling system fan should come on around 207 degrees. The A/C fan should come on when the high side hits 150 lbs.

As far as the cooling fan, did you check for power to the motor when the temperature gets hot?

If you remove the connector for the coolant sensor at the thermostat with the key on, both fans should come. Try that test.

Look at the driver's side of the engine. At the spark plugs, is there a sensor between the first 2 or last 2 cylinders at the plugs? Some of the 5.7 had a separate sender for the gauge at the head.

Do you have 2 fans or 1?

Roy

Image (Click to make bigger)