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Alternator/ cooling fan problem

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Old May 27, 2009 | 01:48 PM
  #1  
Jeanne92's Avatar
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Alternator/ cooling fan problem

I have a 92 firebird. My alternator caught on fire. When I replaced it my cooling fan wouldnt come on. I replaced the sensors and it still would only come on when the ac was on so I had it wired fom the battery direct to the fan fuse in the fuse box. That lasted a month or so and the fan stopped working. When I pulled the fuse out the fuse and wire were melted and now the alternator is shot again. Short in the fan motor maybe? Fusable link short?Why did the fuse melt?PLEASE- any info would be great!
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Old May 27, 2009 | 02:50 PM
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From: IL
Car: 88 IROC-Z
Engine: 5.7 TPI
Re: Alternator/ cooling fan problem

Whenever asking questions like this you should provide all the info you can. Year, make, model, engine size and VIN. The Vin for your engine code should be the 8th digit of your VIN number. You don't have to put your whole Vin in your post. Sometimes like in your vehicle, the 305 engine could be either VIN E or VIN F. If someone is looking up your info they should know exactly what they are dealing with. Follow me?

Does your fan work with the A/C on? You can check the coolant fan by applying 12 volts to the Blk/ Red wire and ground to the black wire at the fan itself(watch your hands when you do this) What sensors did you replace? As far as this hard wiring to the fuse thing, I wouldn't advise that. Something is not working correctly. I would find out what that is before just trying to work around it. If alternators are catching on fire something really needs to be fixed.

I suggest you go to batauto.com and register and post your questions there. Those guys are real mechanics, I'm not. I can look up some info like I did with your Red/Blk fan wire color(please let me know if the wires going into your fan are not actually a Red/Blk and a black) Your problem is more serious than I can troubleshoot here. Include all the info I suggested about your car. They can give you the best help that way. Tell them what happened after the alt caught fire (exactly what you replaced and what you did) I'm pretty sure they can help you
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Old May 29, 2009 | 10:17 AM
  #3  
Jeanne92's Avatar
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Re: Alternator/ cooling fan problem

I tried what you said and the fan did come on. Maybe I should connect it directly to the battery?Maybe by connecting it to the fuse is what created the short.
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Old May 29, 2009 | 10:13 PM
  #4  
Rockguy's Avatar
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From: IL
Car: 88 IROC-Z
Engine: 5.7 TPI
Re: Alternator/ cooling fan problem

It shouldn't need to be rigged. You know what I'm saying? Perhaps your relay is bad? If you wire it straight to the battery, what's going to shut it off when you turn the car off? At any rate it's designed to come on at a certain temperature and off at a certain temp. Have you checked the relay?
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Old May 30, 2009 | 09:58 AM
  #5  
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Re: Alternator/ cooling fan problem

yes-that was replaced as was the temperature sensor.
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Old May 30, 2009 | 11:13 AM
  #6  
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Car: 88 IROC-Z
Engine: 5.7 TPI
Re: Alternator/ cooling fan problem

I would continue to seek the correct fix. In the meantime if you are adamant about wiring a switch up, here is how I would do it. Get yourself a SPDT 30 relay. Like one of these
http://www.parts-express.com/wizards...ter=spdt+relay

Get the socket for it too.
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...TOKEN=10952241


An inline fuse holder like this
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...TOKEN=10952241

Then a basic toggle switch or rocker switch.
http://www.parts-express.com/wizards...switch+lighted


You may be able to get these parts locally but, this is the cheapest place I know. Ask parts express for a relay wiring diagram also if, you order from them. Even if you don't have the wiring diagram we can help you get it wired up no problem.

Once again, I'd look further into what is causing your problems and not just relying on a work around
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