I'm trying to change out my radiator fan switch, I looked between the 6 and 8 spark plugs and its not there. What other locations can it be in? And Is there a wire or something I can trace to it to find it easier? The engine is the 5.0

 

It Should Be On The Engine Block.

 

Do you know where exactly cause I can't seem to find it

 

Look here.

 

According to that picture, would that make the switch on the driver's side? I can't really tell where it's positioned cause I'm not seeing spark plugs or headers in the pic. Is this switch hard to find or something, like is it up underneath the header tight. Cause I'm feeling all over the engine and am not coming across this sensor.

 

Follow the dip stick tube to just below the manifold and it should be there on the left of the tube.

 

Does it matter how many fans my car has? It has one big fan in front of the radiator. I know some cars have two. Do you have to remove the headers to expose this switch?

 

Alright I'm going to check right now

 

Headers? If you have headers, it probably broke off like mine did.

 

It's not in the block. It's in the head; between the #6 & #8 spark plugs. Pass side, near the back, between the rear 2 plugs.

If it's not there, somebody has put a hack job on your car before you got it.

 

Yeah I definitely do not have it. And speaking of a hack job, I know when I first got the car, the previous owner had it to where the fan always turned on, as soon as I turned the key to the on position, without even starting it, the fan would come on. I got the car 6 yrs ago. Now the fan doesn't come on, any idea on how to go about a fix if they some how bypassed this switch?

 

If your fan is not coming on anymore then your fan motor is probably shot like mine got. I replace the motor and it's back in action. Try to jump it first with a 12v connection. If it squeaks or doesn't come on, replace it.

 

Since I can't feel it, and can't see down there I took my phone and recorded a video so I can see . watched the video and right between those plugs a little above I see like a hole that looks like it was filled with something

 

How exactly do I go about jumping it

 

Don't jump ANYTHING.

Remove the pipe plug in the head, go to the parts store, get a fan switch, install it, and hook it up.

One good hack job (I abuse the term "good" loosely) does NOT deserve another.

 

That's the thing, i can't find where the switch is supposed to go.

 

Goes in a hole in the head. Between #6 & #8 spark plugs.

Same hole is in the other head, between #1 & #3 plugs. Go over to the other side and look at that one. (temp gauge sending unit) The 2 head castings are identical. Same hole in the pass side gets the fan sw.

Might have to unscrew a pipe plug out of it.

 

I Was Working Under The Car Today I Took A Pic.

 

So is it easier to locate from underneath the car? Is there a way to post short video clip, then I could show how it's not where it's supposed to be on my car

 

Or maybe I'll take a snap shot of the video where it shows where it's plugged... Let's see

 

That circle to the right of the spark plug should be it's location right?

 

Right... Just remove that plug and put in the temp switch. 3/8" socket extension should fit the square drive of plug

 

Is there something that needs to hook on to it after I do that? I don't see any loose wires

 

If there is only 1 fan, that switch may or may not be there. Either way, cars with only 1 fan won't have it hooked up.

 

Yes It Has To Be Wired To Work.

 

Since you only have 1 fan, you may not have the wiring for a secondary fan.
Which means, your putting in a switch that won't do anything.

 

So what would be the next step in figuring out why my fan doesn't come on.? The motor is good, I tested that out.

 

What year car are you working on?
Believe it or not they are NOT all the same.
For example...
My '86 (305/TPI, auto, AC) does not have a "fan switch" . It has two sensors, one for the ecm, one for the gauge and the ecm itself turns the fan on.

 

92 RS 5.0 Automatic

 

You test the harness that plugs into the fan motor yet? Test it with a voltmeter/etc in all the different key positions, and even when it's started.
BTW my fan motor seemed to work too when I tested it, but it actually only worked intermittently because the bushings were gunked up.

 

I haven't tested that yet, but if it's not powering the fan couldn't it not have any volts because it's not getting power from somewhere else? Meaning it may be good but just not getting any juice and the problem could still be elsewhere

 

Is it a TPI or a TBI? I know on TPI cars, If you put the ECM in diagnosis mode it'll power up the fan. It could be your fan relay that is at fault. Try jumping the relay.

 

Oh forgot to add that it's a TBI

 

If it's a TBI 1992, the ECM does NOT control your fan. You must have a coolant fan switch. If you have A/C, there should be a Fan A/C pressure switch for 1992 only. Prior to 1992, it was hooked to the A/C control assembly. So if the fan won't start with the A/C on the problem could be the relay or the fan. If the fan starts with A/C on, looks like you may have a missing coolant fan switch (according to your picture). There should be a wire connector that his hanging around the area of the coolant switch if it has been broken. Putting a new coolant fan switch without hooking the wire won't do anything. Based on your picture, it looks like a plug just if there was never a coolant switch! That could be possible only if the car has been modified or tempered with. Are you sure of the year?



Best of luck!

 

I'll try to find the wiring diagram in my 92 service manual for the 92TBI in a bit.

 

Yeah my car is a 25th anniversary, with the emblems and everything. And I know it's been tampered with by the previous owner cause the fan was always on, it turned on as soon as you turn the key to the "on" position.

 

Appreciate it

 

Yep, it makes sense! So if it was turning on all the time, it points to the relay, the fan it self or any wire/wire connectors in between.


Best of luck!

 

Ok so I got it fixed, changed the relay and got the radiator fan switch put in. It worked as it should, then today the fan just suddenly stopped working as I was driving because the temperature started rising. I get out pop the hood and the fan isn't coming on again. What else could cause this.? I checked the motor again and it's still good.

 

Maybe something burns the relay like a short or something! Could be bad connectors too.

 

Since replacing the relay, does your fan now come on with the AC turned on?
Here are a few ideas:
At various places you could test if the power is absent, or just too weak to power the fan.
If it's weak you can try cleaning connections, fidgeting with wires and relay to see if it gets stronger, or replacing wires.
If it's absent you can try doing the job of the fan switch (grounding); or run the fan switch in a test/trouble mode. If that works then the fan switch isn't initiating at the right temp, or the car isn't as hot as you think yet.
If still nothing you can check the fan fuse and wiring. And check that all the ground wires are clean and tight.
If you're consistently getting 12v or more to the harness that goes into the fan motor then the motor is not up to snuff or the connection is corroded.