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Fans are always on
Posted: Thu May 21, 2009 6:00 pm
by ericem
This problem is still bothering me. Car does not overheat, needle sits pretty well in the middle if anything a bit BELOW the middle. What I notice is if I have been driving around in a bit of stop and go, and come to a stop the fans run forever! Even when I am driving around 20-30km/h and stop they are still running, maybe if I am driving for a little bit they cycle off though. A/C is off btw. Replaced the ECU sensor with 2 different sensors and the same problem! I replaced the rad same problem, oem thermostat all new hoses etc etc.
I don't recall if the car did this when I bought it either. Is it possible something is clogged and not allowing flow giving a proper reading? I added some stupid stop leak crap and I remember how much crap came out and all the crap I needed to get out of the tank on the top. What other possible area's are clogged? I back flushed the system with water and everything.
Posted: Thu May 21, 2009 7:17 pm
by PhyrraM
Check that the fan relays are not stuck in the "on" position. The contacts can stick together occasionally. Giving them a sharp tap will usually solve the problem for a short time.
Posted: Thu May 21, 2009 9:53 pm
by ericem
where is this fan relay located ?
Posted: Fri May 22, 2009 3:12 am
by ericem
Checked google sounds like it is in that fuse box under the hood. Going to grab the relay from my 93 legacy and pop it in place. Thanks!! What I notice is usually when I turn the car off for a second or two then back on it will shut off.
Posted: Fri May 22, 2009 5:12 am
by kimokalihi
Are the fans supposed to stay on for a while after the car turns off? I remember my 90 L wagon did that for a few seconds after the car was off. Maybe 10 seconds.
Posted: Fri May 22, 2009 1:56 pm
by Skruyd
kimokalihi wrote:Are the fans supposed to stay on for a while after the car turns off? I remember my 90 L wagon did that for a few seconds after the car was off. Maybe 10 seconds.
No, the fans are supposed to shut off. Even tho some cars do that now "Hondas". Being a good idea it had it draw backs. Like if you had a weak battery. The fans will kill it. Then car will not start

Posted: Fri May 22, 2009 7:49 pm
by ericem
went to locate the relay in the fuse box under the hood. All i see is ac relays. Does the ac relay control the fan or is the relay somewhere else?
Posted: Sat May 23, 2009 2:01 am
by Legacy777
First, does your speedometer work?
Second, check to make sure the green T-shape diagnostic connectors are NOT connected.
http://www.main.experiencetherave.com/s ... cuhide.jpg
If all of that does not work, for kicks, disconnect the connector going to the pressure sensor on the AC receiver drier. If pressure goes above a certain point, that pressure switch will kick on the fans, and they will remain running even after the engine is off. It's possible that switch may have gotten stuck.
Posted: Sat May 23, 2009 3:15 am
by ericem
That pressure switch seems to only allow the compressor to shut off. It is simply a closed circuit which opens when there is no pressure I guess.
The fans shut off when ignition is turned off. When the car is turned on cold fans are all. It is when the car is fully warmed up and the fans have cycled a few times as it seems. Like I said needle stays just below the half way point all the time. When the fans are running bottom hose is ice cold.
Where the heck is the main relay that tells the fans to come on? lol!!
BTW I saw these two relays dangling and figured maybe they broke or something and they felt very hot especially the metal one. Swapped them from my other car still get warm. What are they for? The fuel pump? Should they be hot?!
@legacy; yes my speedo works, and no check engine light, but my power light flashes on startup sometimes only codes i get is duty solenoid c.
Posted: Sat May 23, 2009 1:24 pm
by Skruyd
ericem wrote:
Where the heck is the main relay that tells the fans to come on? lol!!
Under the hood .
Have some one to turn the ignition on while you listen to the relays. If the fans come on with out clicking from relay. The relay is stuck and needs to be replaced.
Posted: Sat May 23, 2009 3:39 pm
by ericem
i swapped them all from my other car. Seems like there might be a flow issue. If i dont drive off and let the car idle they will cycle as soon as i have been driving for a minute or two the fans come on and stay on! Already tried 3 different temp sensors all oem and the car has a new oem thermostat. 0 overheating needle always sits just below the half way mark.
Oh and why is there one fan that still runs when all 4 relays are taken out ?
Posted: Sat May 23, 2009 5:26 pm
by ericem
Figured out why the main fan still runs there is one more relay near the kick panel fuse box. Still I hit the relay swapped all my relays from my other car and they are still running! When I unplugged the main fan fuse for a good couple minutes the temperature did not rise at all the gauge stayed exactly where it was below the half mark...
Posted: Sun May 24, 2009 12:58 am
by Legacy777
The bottom hose should not be that cold. Is this on your SS or non turbo engine?
If non-turbo, did you bleed the cooling system well?
Posted: Sun May 24, 2009 4:12 am
by ericem
Turbo. The non turbo I decided to part out sadly and scrap the body

Posted: Mon May 25, 2009 11:03 pm
by ericem
Comon guys any other suggestions? When through all 5 relays I could find related to the fans!
I am wondering if I should try another rad cap? I have taken it on and off many times so not sure if it goes bad.
Also wondering what role the TPS would play in all this? Is it possible the idle switch is not making contact sometimes?
Posted: Mon May 25, 2009 11:17 pm
by Legacy777
idle switch should not really play into things.
You need to determine if the ECU is telling the fans to be on all the time, if so, you need to determine why, and then resolve that issue.
If the ECU is not telling the fans to be on all the time, then you've probably got a wiring/relay issue. It sounds like you've already been down this road, so I'd suggest the other.
Posted: Tue May 26, 2009 12:58 am
by ericem
How do I determine why the ECU is telling the fans to run? I need to go to the dealer to get a alignment done I think I will get service guys to plug in his computer and check what the sensor is reading. Is it possible there is a obstruction in the system not allowing enough flow? Seems like if I drive in a high RPM range the car will stay running good and the fans won't cycle on usually when I stop. If I drive normal fans are usually on when I stop.
Posted: Tue May 26, 2009 1:28 am
by BSOD2600
ericem wrote:How do I determine why the ECU is telling the fans to run?
B10scan has the ability to read this. Should also spit out the temp the coolant sensor is showing.
Posted: Tue May 26, 2009 1:40 am
by ericem
I should just get the damn scan tool and find out what the sensors are reading and make sure everything is operating correctly.
Posted: Tue May 26, 2009 8:38 am
by log1call
Are you sure your water-pump still has blades on it's impellor?
Posted: Tue May 26, 2009 3:56 pm
by ericem
i hope so its a new pump.
Posted: Wed May 27, 2009 6:04 pm
by dzx
they don't kick on and off like they do when you have the diagnostic plugs connected do they?
Posted: Wed May 27, 2009 8:41 pm
by ericem
To be honest I never found the green connector. All I see is the black one and that one is not connected.
Posted: Wed May 27, 2009 9:18 pm
by Skruyd
Posted: Wed May 27, 2009 9:30 pm
by ericem
With the green one connected wouldn't they run all the time though?