No power, no nothing (fixing someone's wiring mess)

Tiny
CANNON1349
  • MECHANIC
  • 1995 CHEVROLET CAMARO
  • 3.4L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 53,650 MILES
Originally the problem with this car was that it was running hot and leaking coolant. So apparently the mechanic had replaced the water pump, then for some reason diagnosed the radiator fan as inoperable. So, he spliced the two wires on the connecting harness to the fan to go to the ground where the battery ground is bolted to in front of the strut, and the positive wire was run into the vehicle and wrapped around the 5A crank fuse.

The vehicle did try to start, but it made a sound similar to when one is out of gas (that is, just keeps turning and turning). However now not even the lights come on in the cabin, nor will it attempt to crank. The battery has been tested as good, and we are now just throwing anything at it as to what may be a solution.
Tuesday, July 3rd, 2018 AT 10:06 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello, I am Danny.

Well sounds like you are having wiring issues. The electric cooling fan(s) does have a relay. It sounds like your mechanic just cut wires and did not test everything. Did he cut wires and connect to a power source and ground? If so he just was verifying the fan worked. I suggest properly test the cooling fan(s) relay and related wiring. By simply just hooking wires into other electrical circuits you are simply asking for wiring problems which sounds like you have ran into. The relay is located in the fuse/relay block in the engine compartment. I have attached a relay test tutorial for you to view. Hope this helps and feel free to ask any further questions if needed. Danny-

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-an-electrical-relay-and-wiring-control-circuit
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Wednesday, July 4th, 2018 AT 7:20 PM
Tiny
CANNON1349
  • MECHANIC
  • 670 POSTS
I know that the fan has a relay, but I cannot seem to find the original wires from where they were cut. If all else fails, should I splice wires back into the relay?

At the very least, I should be looking for two wires that feed back to the fuse box, correct?
Assuming that when it is connected properly, the car will have interior lights and possibly crank.
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Friday, July 6th, 2018 AT 5:17 AM
Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello again.

I will look up some wiring diagrams for you and get back to you.
Danny-
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Saturday, July 7th, 2018 AT 9:36 PM

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