Hi everyone

I was driving to the gym the other day and I noticed that sitting at a stoplight, the temperature climbed to over 220 degrees, almost up to 230 before I started moving, and I could start to smell a little burning. I got home and then my friend and I tested it, and the drivers side fan came on at like 235 but the A/C fan wouldn't turn on even with the A/C on. I'm not sure if there's something wrong with that fan or not.

This got me nervous because I have never noticed it get that hot before on me. I read on a post on here that the first fan kicks on at 220 and the secondary fan kicks on at 240, but that really seems a bit hot to me when my engine runs at like 190 when I'm cruising and stuff.

What is weird is that IIRC, when I first got the car in like January, the drivers side fan was on all the time. It come on when you started the car and turn off when you shut the car off. That's probably why I never bothered to check the temp too much.

My questions are:
1) is it normal for the engine to get that hot before the fans come on?

2) is there a way to have the fans come on earlier?

3) how should I go about seeing if my passenger side fan just isn't working?


Any help would be appreciated. I just want to know if I have a problem or if I'm just paranoid lol. Thanks!!!

 

 

yeah I figured I'll have to test them, especially the secondary. Thanks for the info!!

 

1) Yes

2) Yes. The primary fan has to have it temperature changed in the prom. It is ECM controlled and should be the first fan to turn on at 220°F.
For the secondary, upgrade to an AC Delco D1855B (or equivalent) fan switch. 210-215°F on/200°F off, so it'll work with the stock thermostat (195°). The switch is in the passenger side head between exhaust ports 6 and 8. There is a single wire connected to it. It is kind of tough to see if you have manifolds and the A/C box doesn't help either.

3) Both fans should run with the A/C on. The secondary fan can also be checked by unplugging the wire from the fan switch and grounding it (key on).

 

Thanks deadbird. It's good to know that nothing's wrong as far as the temperature that the fans come on at. As far as testing the secondary fan, I'm gonna have to get right on that. Thanks guys!