Novice mechanic cooling question

[BeeDuhb]

Recently got my 90 Festiva all stock and noticed the fan seems to turn on whenever the key is in the ON position, and stays on even while the car is cold. Reading in the Haynes repair manual it sounds like it should be on all the time if the thermostatic switch is grounded. I don't understand if that means it will just be on all the time or will that switch lose ground when the cooling system is still cold after driving in colder temps? More of a curiosity, wondering if the fan on all the time potentially is just making for a colder running car. (Temp gauge heats up just fine after 10 minutes). Thank you for any insight.


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[bravekozak]

The cooling fan should only turn on of you have the A/C button pushed in or the coolant temperature is above 207°F.

Check your METER fuse.
If the lights come on in your combination switch, then your cooling fan relay might be pooched.

Worst case scenario, your coolant temperature sender might be pooched. Test it for ground when cold. If no ground, then replace it. Don't put any teflon tape on the straight threads. The seal is done by the O-ring.

[BeeDuhb]

I don't have a/c so it sounds like I have an issue!


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[WmWatt]

The fan on the rad is wired backwards so it's on by default but the temp guage keeps it off when cool. Probably a safety feature to protect the engine from overheating if the temp guage malfunctions. Same with the spring loaded gas pedal, so if you fall asleep at the wheel or die your foot slips off the pedal, the engine stops, and so does the car assuming it's not going down a steep hill.

[ryanprins13]

Novice mechanic cooling question

The fan on the rad is wired backwards so it's on by default but the temp guage keeps it off when cool. Probably a safety feature to protect the engine from overheating if the temp guage malfunctions. Same with the spring loaded gas pedal, so if you fall asleep at the wheel or die your foot slips off the pedal, the engine stops, and so does the car assuming it's not going down a steep hill.

? A spring loaded gas pedal is also handy when you want to stop and your still alive. It would take quite a bit longer to have to pull the gas pedal back up with your foot before being able to brake because you wouldn't have power brakes until you did.
But yes, the fan is always hot and the ground is interrupted. I have mine hooked up to a switch. I should just replace the sensor but im used to the switch now.


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[BeeDuhb]

I will read some more about the meter fuse, I'm not a good mechanic when t comes to electrical work. But slowly figuring out the quirks with the manual. So with the fan running non stop its most likely a fail safe from the fuse failing or the temp sender unit isn't grounded? Just seeing if I understand your explanations. Thanks!


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[WmWatt]

"? A spring loaded gas pedal is also handy when you want to stop and your still alive. It would take quite a bit longer to have to pull the gas pedal back up with your foot before being able to brake because you wouldn't have power brakes until you did."

Okay, but on older boats and tactors the throttle position was fixed until you changed it. Lots of people walked beside the tractor forking up bales of hay onto the wagon behind. Boats would troll while the fisherperson worked. Now boats, and motorcycles as well, tend to have spring loaded throttles - "dead man's throttle" - like the Festiva. Probabley some sort of nanny state government regulation - like those annoying seat belts.

[scitzz]

It is often just the connection to the sensor, it's a one wire connection facing the radiator fan near the water outlet, check for loose wires there.

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[ryanprins13]

"? A spring loaded gas pedal is also handy when you want to stop and your still alive. It would take quite a bit longer to have to pull the gas pedal back up with your foot before being able to brake because you wouldn't have power brakes until you did."

Okay, but on older boats and tactors the throttle position was fixed until you changed it. Lots of people walked beside the tractor forking up bales of hay onto the wagon behind. Boats would troll while the fisherperson worked. Now boats, and motorcycles as well, tend to have spring loaded throttles - "dead man's throttle" - like the Festiva. Probabley some sort of nanny state government regulation - like those annoying seat belts.

Ya, tractors still do as do boats i have seen anyway. They just have a spring return foot throttle to allow you to go over the hand throttle setting but not below. With those 2 things its quite important to be able to keep a constant rpm while your in it and be able to keep it while your not in the tractor or 'drivers seat' of the boat as well. Same as a snow blower, lawn mower, rototiller. Just different applications than a car or motorbike.


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