Yesterday I had a flashing CEL, engine was chugging, sputtering, mis-firing. I did not get the code yet, but it has done this before. I notice that whenever I get this the electric fan is always on right from start up and I can hear it running.
Is the fan always on and I just never noticed it? If not always on, then why is it always on now?
The CEL usually goes away after a few start up cycles. However, I still get the sputtering, chugging, put - put - put out the exhaust in the lower rpm's when I lay on the gas.
Thanks for any info.
mtbon
Car is a '96 with 130K miles. Stock everything.
mtbon
An Engine Coolant Temp sensor will cause the fan to always be on. Reason being it will say the car is hotter than it is, and the fan will be on.
An ECT can also cause the symptons you described,. because of the ECT says the car is hotter than it will give less fuel, as oppose to more fuel when it is colder. Then it will chug and and misfire, because it doesnt have enough fuel.
So if I was in your position I'm fairly sure your ECT is bad.
Do you have a voltmeter, if so you can test voltage of it. If not the sensor is about $20.
Also for the record I'm not saying 100% for sure it is bad, I'm giving you a starting point, just saying what I'd do if I was in your spot, so if the ECT doesnt fix it dont come back on me for it.
- 2004 Cavalier - 124k, owned since new
Yeah my fan on my car is always on, too. My problem however is that I get fine performance out of the car, but about once a month my car just boils some coolant out of the cap. It's so far and few between. it's been hard to get a handle on.
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