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Radiator Fan won't turn on

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Old Mar 18, 2012 | 07:57 PM
  #1  
Rich_il's Avatar
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From: Illinois
Car: 1992 Camaro RS
Radiator Fan won't turn on

I just got a 1992 Camaro RS with a 305 TBI and took it out for a drive for the first time yesterday. I drove about 15 miles no problem, until I parked, and then drove again, it overheated. Also, I already knew the radiator fan would not turn on by itself, I always had to turn on the AC in order to activate the fan. Now I am getting anything. Any thoughts or suggestions would be much appreciated, thanks guys!
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Old Mar 18, 2012 | 08:14 PM
  #2  
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From: Indian Mound, TN
Car: '91 Camaro RS T-Top
Engine: 383 Stroker
Transmission: Bulldog 700r-4
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: Radiator Fan won't turn on

I'd check your wiring on the switch side first, then check your switch, it should be in the passenger side cylinder head between the last two plugs IIRC.
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Old Mar 18, 2012 | 09:27 PM
  #3  
Dmans85's Avatar
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From: Elberta, AL
Car: '85 Z28
Engine: LS1
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.23 posi
Re: Radiator Fan won't turn on

Run two wires from the battery or another 12 v source and touch the prongs after removing the pigtail from the fan motors. See if the fan spins. Rule that out soon. Then think about your fan relay. Its a little square thing. Finding out which one it is, I can't say.
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Old Mar 19, 2012 | 02:41 PM
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henryd3's Avatar
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From: Central California
Car: 92 Camaro RS
Engine: LO3
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: stock
Re: Radiator Fan won't turn on

If your fan works when you switch on the AC then your fan and relay are fine. Or did that stop working?
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Old Mar 19, 2012 | 08:09 PM
  #5  
Rich_il's Avatar
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From: Illinois
Car: 1992 Camaro RS
Re: Radiator Fan won't turn on

The fan used to work when I turned the AC a year ago prior to me owning it (got it from my dad) and now it just doesn't work at all. Also, the fan blade is stiff and doesn't spin freely when I move it by hand. Would that mean the motor AND the fan are bad?
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Old Mar 19, 2012 | 08:42 PM
  #6  
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From: Central California
Car: 92 Camaro RS
Engine: LO3
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: stock
Re: Radiator Fan won't turn on

That doesn't sound good for the motor. Try just running 12 volts to the fan to see if it is working at all
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Old Jun 18, 2012 | 01:44 PM
  #7  
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From: NC
Car: 92 Chevy Camaro RS TBI
Engine: 5.0
Transmission: 700 R4
Re: Radiator Fan won't turn on

The fan relay in my 87 and 92 are both on the drivers side on the firewall. To test the relay pull the relay off and look at the plug. Youll see a single prong on the top (or bottom depending on how you hold it lol). Take a piece of wire and jump that one thats all by itself to the one in the middle on the other row. Also while you do that, have the key in the run position with your ac on so you can see if the fan comes on. Heres a post that has a pic. You want to connect the A and E. https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/cool...ions-read.html Its the 3rd post. I just did this yesterday and it turns out my relay is good but the pigtail going into it is messed up. If I wiggle it and move it around, the fan will come on and go off.
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Old Jun 19, 2012 | 09:53 PM
  #8  
Tibo's Avatar
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From: Desert
Car: 1991 Z28 Vert
Engine: 383 single plane efi
Transmission: T-56
Axle/Gears: 8.8 with 3.73s
Re: Radiator Fan won't turn on

Hmmm. All decent suggestions. I would say, with the KOEO, Run a ground wire as a test wire to the fan relay's green/white wire (I believe the ECM grounds instead of using a 12V + to activate the relay) If the fan kicks on its a problem between the relay and the ecm, if the relay doesn't kick on its the relay, wiring or motor. jumper terminals 30 to 87, if it turns on its the relay. If not, apply a 12V wire to the motor, if it still doesnt work, it either a ground or the motor. To test the motor only, apply a + and - wire to the motor.
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