Cooling fans not turning on automatically.

[1989accordaz]

My 1989 AT is overheating, just yesterday, I notice that my fans are not coming on at all. The big one does when I turn the AC on, but not the small one. What could be causing this problem?

It seems that all the mechanics on the area are booked until next week.


Thanks in advance for any pointers.

[Cheeseburger]

did you see it its plugged on correctly, or the fuse is out? or it might be that the small fan might be burnt out?

[87lxiaccord]

yeah check if the wires have a short in them

[frantik]

i had this problem and ended having to replace the fan timer unit (only on lxi) and also the radiator fan switch. but both fans would come on with the a/c so you might have a different problem

in the meantime keep your eye on the temps.. my car would be ok as long as i didnt idle too long

[smufguy]

unclip the lower rad thermo switch and jump the clip (wiring harness side) and see if the fans come on. Usually the Small fan is the condensor fan (turns on when the AC switch is pressed) and the big one is the main radiator fan. I have them both running in parallel and wired up to a switch near my shifter. Basically, once the needle starts moving, i just turn the switch on and the fan runs constantly, this is how i have been driving around for 3+ years.

[1989accordaz]

OK to start, uncliped the lower rad thermo switch and jumped the clip (wiring harness side) as suggested, and only the big fan turned on. So next, I removed the condensor fan ( small fan, driver's side ) and using 14 gauge wire, I connected the fan's plug straight to the battery since it runs on 12V...nothing, the fan is dead.

So I am positive that the fan is FUBAR. Now, the autoparts has it for 125 bucks! I haven't bought it yet, the price kinda caught me off guard since the rad fan is only 45 bucks.

Thanks everyone for the help so far, I'll keep you posted. I still think that my thermo switch is bad in addition to my bad fan

[MessyHonda]

you can get that at a junk yard...if you want more cooling you should put another big fan...from wut i heard they just plug in

[Pico]

You could also do what TWOLOUDNPROUD did here's the post
http://www.3geez.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48720&highlight=radiator+fans

[TWOLOUDNPROUD]

Go aftermarket like i did its cheaper and they work better and more quiet to i did two 1100cfm fan and they keep my B20a nice and cool.I paid like 25.00 each fan on Ebay. http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/11/web/359000-359999/359877_145_full.jpg

[smufguy]

i got a Main radiator fan just chilling in my garage. YOu can do what Mike (A20A1) did and run two big fans (two main radiator) fans if you would like. Lemme know if you are interested.

[1989accordaz]

Well, just to close this thread, I replaced the fan ( bought it at the salvaged autoparts for 75 bucks) and I replaced the thermo switch becasue the fans were not turning on automatically. Now it's all good.

Running two big fans would be nice, I just was not up to tweaking any thing else this weekend.

Thanks all for the help.