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car vibrates when fans come on

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Old 02-11-2004, 11:19 AM
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Car: 88 Trans Am GTA
Engine: 5.7L
car vibrates when fans come on

I can't pinpoint where it's coming from, but when the cooling fans come on it vibrates the car. The car idles perfectly smooth until they come on. I've recently replaced both fan motors, made sure everything is bolted tight, and nothing is hitting the fan blades when their on. I get the feeling something is hitting the frame of the car because you can feel it throughout the car. If anybody has any ideas on this it would be greatly appreciated.
Old 02-13-2004, 10:09 PM
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hmm that is weird, if there in place and tight and hitting anything not sure how they could be causing vibrations.

hows the fan blades? one could be cracked alittle and when they get up to speed it starts to shake things up alittle.
Old 02-15-2004, 10:05 AM
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how bad is the vibration? when my fans come on i can feel a slight vibration through the steering wheel. but this is more so when the car is off and the fans are on. when the car is running the noise from the engine kinda cancels out the vibration.

but chances are the vibration is coming from your fan blades being unballanced.
Old 02-27-2004, 04:10 PM
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Car: 89 Formula
Engine: 355
Transmission: 700R4
It may be the alternator/battery. When the fans come on, it may be putting such a draw on the battery, the alternator must work extra hard pulling the motor down, possibly causing the vibration.
just a thought,
Mark
Old 02-28-2004, 06:47 PM
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Car: 86 Camaro
Engine: L98 350 bore .060 out, Carb power
Transmission: slusher 700 beatbox
Originally posted by 89 Pollo
It may be the alternator/battery. When the fans come on, it may be putting such a draw on the battery, the alternator must work extra hard pulling the motor down, possibly causing the vibration.
just a thought,
Mark

good point. what amp alternator are you running and are your bearings good? it might be a good time to get it rebuilt
Old 02-28-2004, 07:22 PM
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Car: 1995 Corvette
Engine: LT1
Transmission: 6 spd Manual
Axle/Gears: Dana 44, 3:45:1
Check the accessory bracket to engine block mounting bolts... I once had a strange vibration when I engaged my A/C... turned out to be the alt/ps bracket vibrating under the increased belt load because the mounting bracket was loose (did NOT see that one coming).. I chased that bastard for a while until I discovered that...

Perhaps the increased load on the alternator is a similar effect...
Old 02-28-2004, 11:01 PM
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Car: 88z
Engine: 305
Transmission: t-5
I have a problem similar to this except my noise is more grinding of something than shaking. Any solutions?
Old 03-03-2004, 11:12 AM
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Car: 88 Trans Am GTA
Engine: 5.7L
haven't found the problem yet. Tried re-hanging the fans and still get vibrations. I am going to take evrything out of there and put it back in when I get some time. We'll see what happens.
Old 03-03-2004, 11:35 AM
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Car: 1995 Corvette
Engine: LT1
Transmission: 6 spd Manual
Axle/Gears: Dana 44, 3:45:1
Perhaps the plastic fan blades are out of balance (read damaged)... did you inspect the plastic fan blades for damage/warpage??
Old 03-03-2004, 10:43 PM
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try using a jumper to run them with the car off.. and then put your hand on the motor of the fan and see if u feel any vibration. that'l help eliminate the other possibilites.
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