I dont think the cooling fans are coming on on my 1995 z28. relays check good but one of the terminal sockets which is supposed to have power at all times (#1) according to the haynes manual doesn't have any. Is that the source of the problem?

 

Are you overheating?

The fans don't come on until the engine reaches a certain temp. (Somewhere around 230-240 I believe)

 

I've never let it actually overheat (red stripe on gauge) but it gets well above normal temp (190ish) in traffic and I would like the fans to come on much sooner. I've never heard them come on at all

 

Easy way to see if they work is to turn on your a/c. They come on with the a/c. If you want them to come on sooner, you can buy a manual fan switch. Install is easy. SLP makes one.

 

thanks for the help. I looked at the switch online and all I can find is a picture. does it plug into the diagnostic port under the dash?

 

No. It plugs into the plugs on the passenger side shock tower under the hood. There is a grommet in the firewall behind the PCM that you can run the wires through to the inside.

There are write ups on how to do it yourself if you want to go that route.

 

The engine is desogne to run at high temp (between 185-220) and as long as the fans come on before hitting the red zone on the gage don't worry about it. Fans are programmed to come on when the temp is over 220 (low speed first and high speed if over 225)

 

Thanks. I just ordered the switch so that I'm not staring at the temp gauge in traffic. Also, I tested the relay board and discovered that it isn't getting power like it's supposed to. I'm told that the likely cause is a fusible link that is supposed to be on the right shock tower. I can't find it and the parts people at the dealer were no help.

 

Hi, I have the same problem with my 97 z temp going to 220 in trafic then hits the 220 mark and comes down, my question is that I smell antifrize when this happens is that normal it has 34k miles and ive changed the water pump last season, its also had a new head gasket at 28k, could this be a thermostate problem, or a radiator cap issue? Thanks for your reply Tony

 

If you are actually smelling the coolant, I don't think it would be the thermostat. Thats kind of odd that you smell the coolant though.

Make sure its not leaking coolant, especially into other parts of the engine (I.E. your oil)