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Radiator Fan won't turn on?
Topic Started: Mar 16 2014, 10:30 PM (637 Views)
timhansen46
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Recently my 1990 XFi started to get kinda hot while idling and I figured out that this happens when the radiator fan doesn't kick on. I temporarily fixed it by jumping the cables that go to the fan switch with a paper clip so the fan would turn on all the time. Replaced the fan switch this weekend thinking that would solve my problem but unfortunately today by car once again started to get a little to hot.

Is there a relay somewhere that I might be missing?
I've checked all the fuses under the steering column and those look okay. Is there a fuse in the main fuse box in the engine that might cause this?

I don't have an actual gauge that tells me the precise temperature of the coolant just the gauge on the dash so I suppose that could be malfunctioning if it is as accurate as the fuel gauge (which pretty much has no accuracy at all... common issue I guess).

Just to see if maybe I couldn't hear the fan when I drove up to church I opened up the hood and the fan decided to start up as soon as I looked at it... at this point the gauge was in the 80% range... Maybe there is loose wiring somewhere? Just thought it was odd because when I just had a paper clip in there it didn't act like there was any loose wiring...

Thanks in advance for the advice! You guys are always super helpful.
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Horn


The fan relay under the hood?
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timhansen46
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Sorry I should clarify. Is there a fan relay on my model and if so where?
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David95237


If you jumped out the temp switch and the fan works, your relay isnt bad. Sounds like its working properly
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timhansen46
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Is it common for the temp gauge to be inaccurate just like the fuel gauge?
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rmcelwee
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I believe a temp gauge either works or it doesn't (the fuel gauge is a different beast entirely). If it were my car I would replace the thermostat and do a radiator flush using a bottle of flush from your FLAPS. Refilll with distilled water not tap water. If that is not the problem then you are only out $20 and you have actually performed some valuable maintenance. DO NOT screw around with overheating the engine unless you want to buy a new one.
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Old Man


Some members have reported that the wiring connection closest to the fan gets loose and will cause intermittent operation.
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myredvert
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myredvert

timhansen46
 
I don't have an actual gauge that tells me the precise temperature of the coolant just the gauge on the dash so I suppose that could be malfunctioning
Candy or Deep Fry thermometer works well to determine what your gauge indications correlate to, the actual temp when the thermostat opens, and when the fan turns on. Should help verify whether or not your problem is an indication issue or a fan issue. Remove the cap, start the car when cold, and check your gauge readings against the thermometer as the temp increases. Check the actual temp and gauge indication when the thermostat opens. Check both when the fan first turns on, as long as it is not overheating in the process.

If your radiator is "full to the brim," you may want to remove a little coolant from it first. It can get a little messy, but can be worth it to find out if your issue is with the gauge or the fan.

You can get cheap ones that will indicate well enough for this purpose for roughly $10 or less at Walmart, Target, Kohl's, etc.
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timhansen46
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I apologize I probably should have mentioned that I put in a brand new thermostat a few months ago along with a new radiator and new coolant. Otherwise yes I agree flushing the coolant would have been a good idea. Myredvert had an interesting idea perhaps I'll try that. The main reason at hasn't been overly concerning is because it generally will start to overheat if I'm sitting in traffic or idling to long on a very hot day. If I'm flying down the freeway or driving around town for errands it does fine.
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