Electronics Need help wiring something up? Thinking of adding an electrical component to your car? Need help troubleshooting that wiring glitch?

HELP! Electric Cooling Fan Stuck On?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 10-11-2008, 02:00 PM
  #1  
Member
Thread Starter
 
akmusclecar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Anchorage, Ak
Posts: 238
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1988 Pontiac Firebird
Engine: 5.0 TBI
Transmission: W/C T5
Axle/Gears: 3.08 Posi
HELP! Electric Cooling Fan Stuck On?

Hello all. I have a 88' firebird 5.0 tbi. Yesterday i was driving home from work and noticed the fan was staying on during highway speeds. I pulled into my driveway and shut off the car... only to find the electric cooling fan still running? I am just starting to diagnose this problem. I have seen many threads that focus on the cooling fan NOT working. I havent found any pertaining the fan ALWAYS running. the only way i have got the fan to shut off is disconnecting the battery. i dont want a continous drain on my charging system, so any ideas or help would be greatly appreciated. RUSS
Old 10-11-2008, 02:27 PM
  #2  
TGO Supporter

 
Lo-tec's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Gambrills, Md
Posts: 1,768
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Car: clapped out 84Z
Engine: 355 efi roller
Transmission: tremec TKO
Re: HELP! Electric Cooling Fan Stuck On?

Unplug the fan relay. The fan should shut off, and is probably the problem. It should be on the drivers side firewall by the brake booster.
Old 10-11-2008, 02:54 PM
  #3  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (3)
 
BigBadLou's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,989
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 4 Posts
Car: '91 Z28 convertible
Engine: TPI
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.27 posi disc
Re: HELP! Electric Cooling Fan Stuck On?

You can try this: http://www.austinthirdgen.org/index.php?pid=36

Hope this helps.
Lou
Old 10-11-2008, 03:15 PM
  #4  
Member
Thread Starter
 
akmusclecar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Anchorage, Ak
Posts: 238
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1988 Pontiac Firebird
Engine: 5.0 TBI
Transmission: W/C T5
Axle/Gears: 3.08 Posi
Re: HELP! Electric Cooling Fan Stuck On?

Hey guys thanks for the reply back so fast. I disconnected the relay then pluged it back in, and the fan did not turn on automatically when i connected the battery. ( hopefully it turns on at opperating temp) i will take it for a test drive. Once again thanks for the quick responses. -RUSS
Old 10-11-2008, 03:55 PM
  #5  
TGO Supporter

 
Lo-tec's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Gambrills, Md
Posts: 1,768
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Car: clapped out 84Z
Engine: 355 efi roller
Transmission: tremec TKO
Re: HELP! Electric Cooling Fan Stuck On?

The same thing happened to me and it was a bad relay.
Old 10-11-2008, 04:25 PM
  #6  
Member
Thread Starter
 
akmusclecar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Anchorage, Ak
Posts: 238
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1988 Pontiac Firebird
Engine: 5.0 TBI
Transmission: W/C T5
Axle/Gears: 3.08 Posi
Re: HELP! Electric Cooling Fan Stuck On?

Well i just returned from my test drive. It seems the relay is acting up. it works fine now, after i disconnected and re-connected it. I think it might have corroded. ( possibly from me not having a hood on the car at this time). Would some dielectric grease help when i install the new relay. (till i get my hood on in the near future hopefully). I have some front end damage the previous owner did to the car that keeps my hood off. Well to be clear i need to replace the front passenger headlight assembly, pass fender, upper core support, and windshield. ( i have the offset cowl induction hood off a formula and all intake pieces for it ). Once again thanks for the quick replies. -Russ
Old 10-11-2008, 04:52 PM
  #7  
TGO Supporter

 
Lo-tec's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Gambrills, Md
Posts: 1,768
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Car: clapped out 84Z
Engine: 355 efi roller
Transmission: tremec TKO
Re: HELP! Electric Cooling Fan Stuck On?

The problem is in the relay itself. If the terminals are corroded, you should go ahead and clean them.
Old 10-11-2008, 05:30 PM
  #8  
Member
Thread Starter
 
akmusclecar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Anchorage, Ak
Posts: 238
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1988 Pontiac Firebird
Engine: 5.0 TBI
Transmission: W/C T5
Axle/Gears: 3.08 Posi
Re: HELP! Electric Cooling Fan Stuck On?

Will do.
Old 10-12-2008, 09:35 PM
  #9  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (3)
 
BigBadLou's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,989
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 4 Posts
Car: '91 Z28 convertible
Engine: TPI
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.27 posi disc
Re: HELP! Electric Cooling Fan Stuck On?

If the relay is sticking in the ON position, cleaning the terminals won't help. You'd have to open up the relay and clean the two contact plates. That can be done carefully with a small piece of sandpaper. But if the contacts are burnt too bad, sandpaper won't help.

A new relay is around $8 at the auto parts store, they should have plenty of them in stock.

Hope this helps.
Lou
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
gta892000
TPI
13
08-11-2019 11:16 AM
gta892000
Cooling
6
09-16-2015 12:37 AM
64goatman
Cooling
2
09-09-2015 01:09 PM
IROCZDAVE (88-L98)
Engine/Drivetrain/Suspension Parts for Sale
0
09-02-2015 08:49 AM
IROCZDAVE (88-L98)
Engine/Drivetrain/Suspension Parts for Sale
0
09-02-2015 08:43 AM



Quick Reply: HELP! Electric Cooling Fan Stuck On?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:03 AM.