My "check gages" light came on a couple days ago and I noticed it was the coolant needle that was up to 260. I replaced the cap and the needle went back to the middle. Today, though, while I was in a drive thru I realized it was climbing back up. Apparently, the fan that SHOULD be on, isn't. I'm not sure how to tell whether it's the hose or the motor. Any suggestions?

I can't afford a lot, so I've put my poor car on Craigslist hoping I'll grab the attention of someone who can afford to bring her back to her glory. If anyone is looking for a project car, PLEASE shoot me an email. I won't let her end up in a junk yard.

 

what year and motor?

 

Some general geographic area would be helpful too.

If you are in Texas or Syria, it doesn't help me much.

The problem could be something as simple as a fan relay, but some testing is required to see what the problem is.

Once the car gets hot, unplug one of the rad connections and see if you are getting power there, if so, you have a fan problem, if not, start working your way back...relays, wiring...

Here's the wiring diagram, thanks to Shbox: Fan Schematic 1995

 

It's a 3.4L (I think) V6. I live in San Diego. Thanks for the help

 

You don't have a radiator problem, you have a cooling system problem.

And if the electric cooling fan isn't coming on, well, that's a BIG problem.

The cooling system on the 93/94/95 3.4 V6 is screwy. The engine seems to take forever to warm up (at least mine does) probably becasue of all the hoses for the heater core and the throttle body. Then the coolant temp has to reach something like 225 F before the computer kicks on the electric fan.

The computer relies on a signal from the coolant temp sensor to run the injection system *and* to turn on/off the cooling fan. This has nothing to do with the instrument panel gauge which has its *own* temp sensor.

Know anyone with a scan tool who can monitor coolant temp and see if the fan comes on?

You can pop the cover on the underhood fuse/relay box and jumper the cooling fan relay contacts to see if the circuit from there to the fan motor is good.

 

I would suspect cooling fans first.

 

Get the fans working right and let us know if that fixed it.

 

Y'all were right, it was the cooling fans. It has voltage, the actual fans need to be replaced (is what I was told.) I banged on it a couple times and it started working again... Guessing its a connection problem. Things are working ok as of now, I still need to sell it though.

 

lol, bigger hammer. try some electrical cleaner on the connectors. on some of the connections there is a part of the clip on one side you can bend a little to make a better connection. gotta look inside the pluggin