Cooling fan won't kick on when car gets hot

[standard235]

Car got hot this morning going house to house delivering papers this morning. (3/4 up temp gauge) and I noticed the fan never kicked on.

Yesterday I attempted to jump the car and the jump box wasn't making good connection, all due to another issue. When I turned the key, I got the sound of electricity sizzling and a wisp of smoke. The fusible links seem visibly fine. Where else should I be checking? Seems to me like it's just a fuse or something of that nature.

Waiting on my Haynes manual to arrive currently. Thanks for any help

[jtugfestiva]

Try jumping the fan if it works. You can get your self some wires and jump it to see if it runs. Another test is try pushing the fan blades with a scre driver and see if that kicks it to start it. If that's the case the fan motor is shot. If jumping it with the battery starts it and it sounds strong the problem can be the relay or coolant switch.

[Damkid]

Cooling fan won't kick on when car gets hot

The one wire sensor on the Tstat housing is the switch for the fan, if you unplug it, the fan should run with the key

[kellen302]

Did you verify the fan thing visually? I thought my fan was in non-operating condition until it was hot enough (75*F and a long 2nd gear pull up a hill at around 15-20mph) and I popped the hood to see that it was running, just to quiet to hear in the car. Cooled right down after coasting down that same hill and the fan shut off.

[blkfordsedan]

The one wire sensor on the Tstat housing is the switch for the fan, if you unplug it, the fan should run with the key

This^^^ The switch is normally closed, so when it gets up to temp it will open and break the ground, which will trigger the fan relay and turn the fan on. If the fan turns on when you unplug the sensor (with the key on), then the sensor is bad. If it doesn't turn on, then leave the sensor unplugged and unplug the fan connector which is clipped to the side of the fan shroud. Use a test light or meter to see if you have 12 volts on one of the wires that feeds the fan. If you do, the the issue is the fan itself. If you don't, the the issue is most likely the relay or a connection. The fan relay is screwed to the inner fender just behind the drivers headlight and a whole mess of wires. You can trouble shoot it with a test meter from there.

[standard235]

Ok does anyone have a picture of this relay? I see the cluster of crap behind the headlight, just unsure what is what

[blkfordsedan]

It's behind all that crap, lol. Normally your lucky to be able to even see it, let alone take a picture of it! However, I actually replaced mine awhile back and I spliced extra length to the wires so I could move it out in front of that bundle of wires. Now I can get to it easily if needed. It's the small square box with a rubber boot over it and wires out the bottom.....right behind the white headlight bulb retainer ring.

[RhodeStiva]

Cooling fan won't kick on when car gets hot

I always unplug fan sensor that plugs to thermostat and if it kicks on then it is the thermostat and if it doesn't it probably is a bad motor.

[RhodeStiva]

Cooling fan won't kick on when car gets hot

And if that relay is bad I have one I could sale for $20.

[standard235]

Well I know this car needs some tender love and care on the electrical side of things too. Unplugged the sensor and turned on the key, fan comes on. Went to turn on headlights, click click click from the hl relay. What the hell lol. Reached in blindly to find clicking relay and as soon as I moved it, it stopped. I now have both high and low beams too. AND I plugged the sensor back in and let it idle and the fan cycles properly.

Next day off I get, I'll have a play date with the car and maybe do the fusible link box mod with the cartridges and clean up the spades. Thanks for the insight guys. (Oh and my Haynes arrived!)

[RhodeStiva]

Cooling fan won't kick on when car gets hot

Do you have the old fuseable links they will short like that. Upgrade to plastic fuses

[standard235]

Yes I do but its my daily for work so I'm waiting until Thursday to hit the yard and buy another distro block to do the mod to. Also, going to look hard for an aspire with the stuff I need. Would love to have a good day in the yard and get the aspire rear and spindles and a Kia Rio with struts and mounts. That would be great!

[sactnato]

The one wire sensor on the Tstat housing is the switch for the fan, if you unplug it, the fan should run with the key

My 88 carby has been running hotter than normal and I realized the fan wasn't turning on. I unplugged the one wire sensor that screws into the Tstat housing and it turns on, so I should replace the that sensor? Also, I'm going on a road trip in the morning and was wondering if I could just leave it unplugged or just stop and unplug it everyone now and then when the car temp rises. I hate to try to change it tonight and run into any problems when I have to leave at 6AM.

[navdoc101]

Yes I do but its my daily for work so I'm waiting until Thursday to hit the yard and buy another distro block to do the mod to. Also, going to look hard for an aspire with the stuff I need. Would love to have a good day in the yard and get the aspire rear and spindles and a Kia Rio with struts and mounts. That would be great!

Why do you need a new disrabutin blok? just unplug those fusable link wires , clean the contacts in the block & plug in the split leg fuses. Green-Pink-Green. done. 30amp-40 amp-30 amp