radiator fan not switching on

[Claude]

cars been overheating very spontaneously and only when idling for too long, can see the temp go up almost all the way to h and dont believe the fan is working at all. I turn it off for a few and then it is OK so i dont know if the fan is working sometimes and not others or what, but if it gets too bad and I just let it keep overheating the radiator does start to smoke and smell pretty strongly of burning coolant im guessing? anyway if anyone has had this or similar problem before and has any suggestions as always its greatly appreciated.
thanks

[92festie]

i had the same problem with my neon, so i just unhooked the fan relay switch so the fan was always on and didnt have a problem with it, now im not sure if our cars are the same, but im pretty sure they are, im sure someone else has a better idea tho

[eurotiva]

Unplug the thermal switch and see if the fan comes on. It's the little flat blade plug on the front of the motor to the left of the thermostat housing.

[Sandm849]

My fan didn't come on at all in uncle fester. Found a whole bunch of corrosion in the connector. Disassembled, cleaned, problem solved.

[1988redfordfestiva]

i also had that same issue before changed all the sensors for no reason but i also bought a new fan as well and radiator whole 9 yards

[1988redfordfestiva]

but yeah carb is my issue right now even tho it will run for 2 minutes rich cause no lines are hooked up ?

[hot4dl8ly]

Yeah, check the connector to the cooling fan itself. I had the same problem with corrosion as Sandman.

[Ogrestiva]

My relay went on my white festy and I hooked the fan up to a switch that I made in the cabin and put a fuse on it and ran it straight to the battery.

[Mike McKown]

Check the fuse in the fuse box on the dash.

[1988redfordfestiva]

i don't know about you guys do u have a sensor under the radiator that has 2 plug ins i had to replace mine when my fan didn't kick on..