What color is the cooling fan relay. Is it gray or black. Theres two relays right beside each other, would anyone know. Cooling fan in inoperative. thanks



2003 Cavalier 2dr. 5spd

The two relays are--nearest the front--behind the battery--Cooling fan--next one (nearest windshield) Daytime running lights relay. I don't think you can go by the color, it just depends on the manufacturer and the mood at the time!

There is a Fusible Link C connected to the starter solenoid (So this is Always on/Hot--worth checking)---then to contact 30 on the cooling fan relay base--this is made to contact 87 (When the relay is energized) and then to termianl B of the Coolant Fan motor---terminal A is grounded a ground point G100 ( LH front of engine on transaxle stud)

NOTE Kardain and at least one other person's cars had this ground point loosen up and cause the fan not to run.

The cooling fan relay is operated/energized by the coolant temperature sensor. When the coolant temperature reaches 210 deg F the ECM grounds contact 85 on the coolant fan relay---the +12 volts is supplied from the 25 amp Htr/AC fuse.


Post back if you need any more help


Alont

Thanks alont, really good write up. I will look into it tonight.



2003 Cavalier 2dr. 5spd

Ok. Did some testing today on the car. I used a test light and found that terminal 30 is getting power, and terminal 86 switched power is getting power also. The coolant temp sensor is getting 5 volts from the ecm like its suppose to, i tried testing the resistance of the sensor but i couldn't get a good reading.

If i disconnect the temp sensor the fan comes on all the time, so i know the fan's power and ground are ok. I think the relay is working cus the fan did go on wen i disconnected the the temp sensor.

My gauge shows accurate temperature i think becuase it rises in stop and go traffic and goes to normal operating temp on highway and regular driving. This problem is real mind-bottleing (blades of glory). I think it may be my relay, what do you think alont? anyone?

This is a dumb question but do 94 birds with a/c have an actual a/c button, or will you get airconditioning when you put temp in the cold and put the fan mode to a/c max setting. If our cars don't have a button, then my a/c compressor isn't activating either. So I guess if the compressor doesn't work, the fan will not come on either when i want the ac on.



2003 Cavalier 2dr. 5spd

Today i priced a cooling fan relay at pontiac, $45. Does anyone know what my problem might be? Do you guys think its the coolant temp sensor or the relay itself?



2003 Cavalier 2dr. 5spd

From what you have described by not getting any reading from the temp switch I bet that is the problem. And if you are paying 45 for a relay you are getting ripped.

Scotty Bishop wrote:From what you have described by not getting any reading from the temp switch I bet that is the problem. And if you are paying 45 for a relay you are getting ripped.

x 2


I am sure the relay is working correctly.


Are you sure your cooling fan IS inoperative?

Can you remind us all the symptoms you have which make you think the cooling fan is not working properly?

The system seems to be designed to bring the cooling fan on at the last possible moment as the temp increases.

I sometimes pull a trailer with one of mine and I have a second relay in parallel with the first that I can switch on whilst driving--pulling a trailer I don't get enough ram air for the work the engine is doing.


Alont

I say my fan is not working because my fan use to come on at a certain temperature on my gauge, and now it goes way past that.

My actual fan is working, my relay is working, my temp gauge is showing temperature like it has always,

I was told that the coolant temp sensor is a 3 wire sensor. 1 for guage, and 2 for ecm. So maybe my 2 wires for the ecm or the sensor is messed up. LIke scotty said, mybe the fans not coming on becuse im not getting any resistance when i try and test it with a multimeter.

You guys think the sensor is my problem, its the only thing that makes sense to me. If thats not the problem, im going to wire my own switch.



2003 Cavalier 2dr. 5spd

OK thanks and yes,looks like the sensor.

I have the following resistance values:-

5 deg C=7280 ohms

10 deg C=5670 ohms

15 deg C = 4450 ohms notice the higher the temperature the lower the resistance, on a good sensor.

If you have a three wire sensor (Both my '93 2.2's have this type), when you disconnect the connector at the sensor you should be checking across sensor pin A (Sensor ground in ECM) and sensor pin B Engine Coolant Temperature signal) to see the resistances at the temperatures above.

Pin C is the Temperature gauge signal and the Ground for this circuit, is through the case of the sensor.


Hope this helps



Alont

Im going to be going to a junkyard tomarrow, and im going to be picking up a few coolant temperature sensors. I will let you guys know if it does the trick. If not, next week, i will be hooking up my own cooling fan switch to the dash. My gas millage is taking a hit with that sensor disconnected, it even runs rough when i restart it after a good drive.





2003 Cavalier 2dr. 5spd

well, i hooked up my own fan switch to my car today. I picked up a few coolant temp sensors at the junk yard but i didn't want to lose coolant switching them and finding out it didn't work or will break again down the road. Fan works good now and everything is keeping cool.



2003 Cavalier 2dr. 5spd