Ok I'm new to forum so hopefully I won't get a flame if this is a common subject (even though I searched). I have a 96' Cavalier and I have been having issues with it running hot. When I am in neutral with A/C on the A/C becomes warm and the car begins to try and kick the fan on but it just clicks and the idle changes but for like 5 seconds and it goes back to normal no fan idle. The car will begin getting hot until almost in the red (I've turned it off every time to that point) but it shows no sign of the fan coming on. I read a previous thread where this was common, but it should be on when A/C is on. I cannot get it to turn on for the life of me. I checked the fuse it checked out, I don't know about the relay (or how to test it). Anyone have any suggestions of what the problem is?
ok i did some searching on the site and found someone who had a similar problem and they just knocked the back of the fan with a tool. I did so and the fan comes on, and stays on. So I question if it is the fan motor. Would a bad relay just block the fan from getting the signal to turn on?
scratch that the fan is shutting off i assume it is fan motor then right?
The relay is a $2 piece, i would try that first, if no go, then go to the junkyard and get a fan.
Turn the car off and switch the fan relay with the A/C relay (assuming they are both the same size) and start your car. If your car doesn't stay running than the relay is bad.
trying the latter idea now thanks for ideas guys
ok i swapped the cooling fan relay with heater blower relay and same result didn't click on until i knocked it. This pretty much solidifies the fan motor itself right?
To clarify - I meant that after the switch if the A/C doesn't stay running that you have a bad relay (that's assuming that the A/C worked well before the change and you didn't run low on free-on).
Well the AC doesn't fit it it is smaller, but the heater relay does. With the swapped relays the fan still didn't go on.
With my car, the temp gauge has to be up to about 75% before the fan comes on and it usually happens when at idle waiting at the drive tru for about 5 minutes. Has your car surpased the 75% mark and with still no fan turning on?
Ok I replaced the fan motor
Success! it works thanks for the help troubleshooting guys!
While I'm at it has anyone had problems with having brake issues by means of randomly as i start to stop the brake will make a rattling sound, and will seemingly vibrate the pedal. I thought at first it was rotors but i changed pads today and rotors are fine. I can only think of maybe the lines need cleaned out because maybe it's hitting airbubbles? I don't know I see this is an uncommon problem because I don't see anyone else posting it :frazzled:
