help help help
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help help help
i have a 1991 camaro rs 5.0 and my fan stays on all the time, and my water temp never goes past 130 deg. what would cause the fan to stay on? and what would go wrong that would cause my temp gauge not to work right?
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 46
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From: Tucson
Car: 1988 Firebird
Engine: 2.8 liters of fury.
Transmission: Auto
Axle/Gears: Stock
Re: help help help
If the relay got stuck in the closed position, it would never switch off. Most relays are just a magnet with a lever inside that moves when energized, or a short is providing power.
Supreme Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,192
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From: Cary, North Carolina
Car: 1992 RS
Engine: Carbed 350
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42 posi
Re: help help help
OK - so there are 3 things I can think of:
1) Relay
The relays are driver side firewall, between brake booster and fender. There is a bracket there, with 2 10mm bolts holding it to the firewall - it also has another electrical thing attached to the front of it with 5 wires that are flat in a connector. Take the 2 10mm bolts out, releasing the bracket from firewall. The relays will come off with the bracket.
One relay will have a thick wire that is black with red (thicker than any other wire there) - that should be the fan relay. You can take it off the connector and switch it with the other relay - -they are identical (maybe mark the fan relay first so you don't get confused). See if that makes the problem stop - if it does, swap them back to original positions and replace the marked relay.
2) A/C wiring issue:
You could have an issue with the A/C electrical system, since having the A/C on will run the fan always (that's why I asked about the A/C and defroster). To test this, look on top of your A/C compressor - you'll see a green/white wire in a small connector that plugs right into the compressor. Remove that connector, and see if the fan still runs constantly. If it does, then run the car until it gets hot (ie 230) and see if the fan comes on like it should. If it comes on at high temps like it should, then there is an issue with the A/C electrical system and that green/white wire somewhere.
3) Bad Fan Switch:
Fan switch is located on pass side head, between #6 and #8 plugs. See if the wire is properly connected to it. With key on but car NOT running (in your case the fan is running), remove the connector and see if the fan stops. If it does, then your fan switch is bad. Replace - but know this means a bath in antifreeze! Protect your eyes, and don't swallow!
1) Relay
The relays are driver side firewall, between brake booster and fender. There is a bracket there, with 2 10mm bolts holding it to the firewall - it also has another electrical thing attached to the front of it with 5 wires that are flat in a connector. Take the 2 10mm bolts out, releasing the bracket from firewall. The relays will come off with the bracket.
One relay will have a thick wire that is black with red (thicker than any other wire there) - that should be the fan relay. You can take it off the connector and switch it with the other relay - -they are identical (maybe mark the fan relay first so you don't get confused). See if that makes the problem stop - if it does, swap them back to original positions and replace the marked relay.
2) A/C wiring issue:
You could have an issue with the A/C electrical system, since having the A/C on will run the fan always (that's why I asked about the A/C and defroster). To test this, look on top of your A/C compressor - you'll see a green/white wire in a small connector that plugs right into the compressor. Remove that connector, and see if the fan still runs constantly. If it does, then run the car until it gets hot (ie 230) and see if the fan comes on like it should. If it comes on at high temps like it should, then there is an issue with the A/C electrical system and that green/white wire somewhere.
3) Bad Fan Switch:
Fan switch is located on pass side head, between #6 and #8 plugs. See if the wire is properly connected to it. With key on but car NOT running (in your case the fan is running), remove the connector and see if the fan stops. If it does, then your fan switch is bad. Replace - but know this means a bath in antifreeze! Protect your eyes, and don't swallow!