1998 Pontiac Sunfire 2.4L Cooling Fan Issue

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jordanlt1

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Hi all so I own a 1998 pontiac sunfire GT with the 2.4L engine.

Basically my symptom is when at idle for awhile, it will start to over heat. When I start driving the airflow will cool the engine and be fine. Naturally I assumed my thermostat because in the winter time at idle it would never get up to running temp.

Anyway long story short I replaced my thermostat and put all new coolant in and bleed the system. But I still am noticing same symptoms!

So I felt like an idiot because I noticed my Cooling Fan not on while the engine is hot after all that.

I replaced the "Cooling Fan" Relay and the fuse is not broken. I also unplugged the connector that runs to the Cooling Fan and cleaned it out with "electrical contact cleaner" just so I could say I eliminated that factor, and fan still wont run.

I do notice when I start the engine it will spin the Cooling Fan over for a second or 2 then it comes to a stop, so thats telling me that there is still power getting there?

So I guess my question is what else could be stopping my fan from not working? Could the fan altogether be shot?

Thanks for any help! :)
 
melsg5 said:
does the fan come on when you turn on the AC?
test the fan by applying power directly to the motor
have you replaced the engine temperature sensor?
the link below has some more detailed tests for the J body

http://www.gmforum.com/howto/1998SM/engine cooling fan.pdf
Click to expand...
Hi melsg5, yes the fan does come on when I turn AC on! Didnt think of that the other day when trying to figure it out.

But I have not test the fan motor directly for 1 im not completely confident on how to do so and for 2 now seeing the fan come on with AC wouldnt that mean there is power getting to the fan/ fan motor is not blown?

I have not replaced the engine temp sensor. But I did give that link a brief read just now and so i guess thats also refereed to as your "PCM" ?

From that link the sounds of it look as if now it would more then likely be a broken wire somewhere or replace the PCM is that correct?
 
the pcm is the computer, the sensor is a separate part. Since the fan runs with AC the motor is good. You did replace the correct relay, there are a few of them next to each other?
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melsg5 said:
the pcm is the computer, the sensor is a separate part. Since the fan runs with AC the motor is good. You did replace the correct relay, there are a few of them next to each other?
Click to expand...
Okay so does the Engine temp sensor only have 1 wire going to it? Because I believe im looking at the right thing and there's only 1 wire. And yes I only replaced 1 relay and it was the one under labeled "Cooling Fan" .
 
jordanlt1 said:
Hi all so I own a 1998 pontiac sunfire GT with the 2.4L engine.

Basically my symptom is when at idle for awhile, it will start to over heat. When I start driving the airflow will cool the engine and be fine. Naturally I assumed my thermostat because in the winter time at idle it would never get up to running temp.

Anyway long story short I replaced my thermostat and put all new coolant in and bleed the system. But I still am noticing same symptoms!

So I felt like an idiot because I noticed my Cooling Fan not on while the engine is hot after all that.

I replaced the "Cooling Fan" Relay and the fuse is not broken. I also unplugged the connector that runs to the Cooling Fan and cleaned it out with "electrical contact cleaner" just so I could say I eliminated that factor, and fan still wont run.

I do notice when I start the engine it will spin the Cooling Fan over for a second or 2 then it comes to a stop, so thats telling me that there is still power getting there?

So I guess my question is what else could be stopping my fan from not working? Could the fan altogether be shot?

Thanks for any help! :)
Click to expand...
Jumper the cooling fan relay from these two prongs: 30 to 87 (don't plug in the relay). This will tell you if you have a failing cooling fan. If your cooling fan runs and keeps your gauge sitting in the middle then it's of these:

The fan or the wiring to it, water pump, coolant temperature sensor, low coolant or head gasket.

I'm going through this right now. I put in a new relay and it's better however my gauge is still sitting a little high. I have a 98 Sunfire, 2.2L. Still trying different things.
 
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