Cooling fans not working? 1990 ex with a/c

[kylerawlins94]

So i know my temp gauge is outta wack, but i was under the impression my a/c fan was supposed to kick on with the a/c on? Plus the regular engine fan has never come on... I'm beginning to wonder if they work at all.. i just don't want to find that out going down the road...

I checked all the fuses. Have yet to change the relay yet. I guess it could be possible both fans are fried... or the car just doesnt get warm enough to kick them on. Since i have no idea how warm the engine is... I am working on getting a new gauge. Just wanted to see what you guys thought.

[STOCKa6]

I would start by unplugging each fan and jumping the contacts directly to the battery to see if the motors work. Also with the fans unplugged check that the blades turn freely and its not that the bearings in the motor are ceased. I know that whenever the A/C compressor is engaged the fans should come on. If the first test comes up inconclusive check your relays, then see if your coolant temp sensor is functioning properly. I do believe our cars like most OBDI cars I've seen has 2 CTS(but not 100% sure if we have 1 or 2), do check both, might also fix the gauge this way. If the sensors and relays checkout the timer (under the dash) could be at fault, but that would be the last place I check. Best of luck to you.

[kylerawlins94]

Well i know i can hit the tap/bump the dash and the temp gauge moves most of time. but its never been straight cold on a cold start. thats why i beleive the gauge is bad. ill look into the relays tomorrow. hopefully i can pull the top off and MAKE them work. haha.
I know there is two wires under the dash i think a red/green wires in a black tubing... and also a switch in the kickpanel. with different colored wires... *sigh*

[91cbseven]

I had the same problem and my cooler fan timer was shot it's under the dash. Neither would turn on even with a/c on.

[Mishakol129]

I had the same problem and my cooler fan timer was shot it's under the dash. Neither would turn on even with a/c on.

I'm having this same problem. Are both the fans supposed to come on when you have the a/c on? Only the radiator fan comes on but the a/c fan won't. I think its bad and ordered another one but I wanna be %100.

[oaxaco1985]

I have the same problem right now no I can look at this and see if it works

[9tAkord]

Disconnect the electrical connector and jump it to get power from the battery. If the fan works then its the fan relay.Just like what STOCKa6 said. It's on the left sidewall of the engine bay by the power steering pump side. There are two relays, one for each fan. If one fan works you can try switching the two then see if the fan works with the known good relay. I'd start the car and turn ac on. Normally both fans will turn on when you ac is on, provided your ac is in working condition.

[reklipz]

Also, are you certain your A/C is working properly? Just because the light is on on the A/C switch doesn't mean that the system is functioning properly. If the pressure switch on the A/C system isn't operating (due to low pressure or a failed switch or such), then the fan will not operate, even with the button pressed and the light illuminated.

[Mishakol129]

Also, are you certain your A/C is working properly? Just because the light is on on the A/C switch doesn't mean that the system is functioning properly. If the pressure switch on the A/C system isn't operating (due to low pressure or a failed switch or such), then the fan will not operate, even with the button pressed and the light illuminated.

The a/c works good and cold. I don't know how to jump the fan with a battery though, someone can explain?

I swapped the relays out and nothing changed.

Here is a thread about it, I was talking about hearing a loud elephant like noise when the car was off and suspect it is the motor. But the motor doesn't spin AT ALL and I don't hear anything from it with the ac on.

[STOCKa6]

To jump the fans to the battery, you will need to find the plug on the radiator right next to the fan. You will push in a tab which releases the wire on the car side. Then on the back of the fan side of the cable press in the tab to pull the plug off of the fan shroud. You will be left with this.

connect one spade up to the positive terminal, the other to the negative terminal with some spare wire. Make sure your hands aren't in the way of the fan. I would suggest making a set of jumper wires with crimp on spade ends for this, they have a million and one uses, especially if you need to bleed ABS brakes. Good luck to ya.
EDIT: The connector for the right side fan is buried in next to the battery and overflow tank, pulling out the overflow tank should make for adequate access to the connector.

[Mishakol129]

To jump the fans to the battery, you will need to find the plug on the radiator right next to the fan. You will push in a tab which releases the wire on the car side. Then on the back of the fan side of the cable press in the tab to pull the plug off of the fan shroud. You will be left with this.

connect one spade up to the positive terminal, the other to the negative terminal with some spare wire. Make sure your hands aren't in the way of the fan. I would suggest making a set of jumper wires with crimp on spade ends for this, they have a million and one uses, especially if you need to bleed ABS brakes. Good luck to ya.
EDIT: The connector for the right side fan is buried in next to the battery and overflow tank, pulling out the overflow tank should make for adequate access to the connector.

I am not really getting it, sorry. Which wires should I use and how can I exactly hook the plug up to the battery? Won't I need really small battery clamps to hook up to the pins?

Won't I need small clamps like these?

[STOCKa6]

Yes, a set of wires with those clamps would work quite well as long as they can reach the battery. You are just hooking the wires to the battery terminal and the metalic prongs in the plug by my thumb. I still suggest making a set of jumper cables with some wire and some crimp on connectors like such, They have a ton of uses, I made mine long enough to reach each door for testing windows and locks. Hope I cleared things up a bit.

[STOCKa6]

Got a video for you to help clarify. Not vehicle specific but demonstrates how to test.

[kylerawlins94]

Guys! my fan came on today! lol. my engine idled down and i heard a noise. got out and checked (car was sitting in a parking lot when this all happened) and it came on! but now im thinking my temp sensor/sender may be bad which is what is causing my temp gauge to read wacko... any idea?

[Mishakol129]

Guys! my fan came on today! lol. my engine idled down and i heard a noise. got out and checked (car was sitting in a parking lot when this all happened) and it came on! but now im thinking my temp sensor/sender may be bad which is what is causing my temp gauge to read wacko... any idea?

That's great. I'm having the same problem again. I received the condeser fan in the mail but when I went to install it non of the fans would turn on with the AC on. I tested both the fans with 12 volts and they worked. Also I tested the thermo switch and jumpered it and it did not cause the fans to turn on. I dont know what to do now...