Radiator fan not turning on
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Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 8
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From: Wasatch Front Utah
Car: 1988 Pontiac Firebird
Engine: 2.8 L v6
Transmission: Auto
Radiator fan not turning on
My cooling fan doesn't turn on, even with the A/C on. The only thing i have checked thus far is the fuse, and its good. Any other common problems that would cause a failing fan?
Re: Radiator fan not turning on
So you have a Formula 350 with a 2.8V6? Quite an odd swap! Ha! You need to check you have power to the relay, if not you are looking at a fusible link. If so you probably have a faulty relay. That's a basic simple answer.
We were running through this troubleshooting in a different thread just the other day. Have a look and see if it can help. If you do have a 5.7 TPI, the big difference is you may have two fans and your primary fan would be controlled by the ECM. It sounds like you only have one though.
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/cool...-hot-need.html
We were running through this troubleshooting in a different thread just the other day. Have a look and see if it can help. If you do have a 5.7 TPI, the big difference is you may have two fans and your primary fan would be controlled by the ECM. It sounds like you only have one though.
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/cool...-hot-need.html
Last edited by PaulyC; Jul 23, 2018 at 09:19 PM.
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,509
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From: Hawaii
Car: 89' Firebird / 87' Formula
Engine: 3.4 / 5.0
Transmission: 700-R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42 / 3.42
Re: Radiator fan not turning on
Try test the motor. Could be the fan motor itself. Its hard to find a good replacement though. The Delco one looks good but it won't clear the original fan blades due to a molded spacer on the hub part even though the part number matches to these cars. I had to go with a napa unit.
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,146
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From: Houson
Car: 86 Firebird
Engine: 305 SBC
Transmission: 700 R4 TCI
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: Radiator fan not turning on
re fan not coming on . First unplug fan and check by connecting direct to the battery. If it runs it is not the fan. So that leaves the relay and sensor.
Disconnect the sensor lead and short to ground with the ignition on. If the fan comes on it is the sensor if not it is the relay.
Disconnect the sensor lead and short to ground with the ignition on. If the fan comes on it is the sensor if not it is the relay.
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KnightmareCS
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Dec 22, 2010 12:25 PM





Yep , He appears to have confronted this issue with himself in his other thread ..... 