mickeypatches

so i replaced all the radiator hoses in my 1984 camaro, filled it up with antifreeze and cranked it up, i let it idle for a while but then i realized that my fan wasn't turning on and the gauge on the dash was saying 260. I uncranked the car and let it cool down and then i unplugged the connector that goes to the fan and me and my dad hooked up a voltmeter to the connector and was getting nothing, no resistance and no power to it. i checked fuses and none looked bad, but what fuse would this be exactly and what else do i need to be looking for. thanks in advance

Rick57

The coolant temp switch closes at a predetermined temp, mine is 238 deg. When the switch closes it should turn on the relay for the cooling fan. You have a bad switch or a bad relay. Run the engine and chech for continuity at the two terninals on the switch when engine gets hot. that will tell you if the switch is good or bad. If you can find out what color wire goes to the relay from the switch you can apply 12 volts to that terminal on the relay and it should turn on the fan. If not the relay is bad. Good luck

henryd3

iTrader: (128)

All that fan switch does is provide a ground to the relay to actuate it and turn on the fan. With the key on, grounding the connector should turn on the fan if the fan, wiring, and relay are all good. The fault is usually a failed fan switch. If the fan came on by this test just replace the fan switch and you should be good. You can get switches that turn on at lower temps if you want that

mickeypatches

alright thanks, i'm guessing that the relay is a pain to change lol. i'll look at it tomorrow or later on this week but thanks a lot for the quick replies

mickeypatches

ok so i was messing around today and i remembered that the fan kicks on when the AC is turned on. so i plugged up the connection and cranked it up and turned the AC on(that doesn't work, blower motor is bad) and the fan turned on. does this have any significance and would this cool off the car and keep it from overheating? thanks

henryd3

iTrader: (128)

Yes, this means the fan and the relay and wiring are good. Replacing the fan switch should solve your problem as long as the green with white stripe wire from the fan switch to the relay is good. In the mean time this will make the fan work and prevent overheating, but will be on more than you need unless you keep turning it off and on and that will get old and a pain to keep track of. If the fan works with the key on and the fan switch connector wire touched to ground, it all works and you just need a fan switch

mickeypatches

alright thanks, it is not drive-able now, hopefully getting the trans rebuilt within a few weeks and i'll be so happy to be able to drive it i wouldn't care haha. but thanks and i'll replace the fan switch soon

henryd3

iTrader: (128)

You pretty much have to replace the switch from below, so if the trans is out it might make it a bit easier. Water will come out when you pull the switch so keep your eyes away from it and you'll be happier. And read up on lower temp switches on here first if you want. Have fun!