2001 GT Cooling Fan Starts Immediately-Temp Gauge Dont Work?

[xboxmember1978]

I just bought it today and the only thing wrong with it as I can see is that the temp gauge don't work and as soon as you start the car the cooling fans run even when cold. Any suggestions?

 

[melsg5]

check the connection to the temperature sensor.
if the a/c is off and the car is cold and the engine fan runs I would check the fan relay.

 

[xboxmember1978]

Thanks for your input. I will check that stuff and report back. Thank you

 

[xboxmember1978]

I checked the wires for the sensor but how do I check the fan replay? Is there a way to test it to see if its the problem? Heck I'm not even sure where the replay is

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[melsg5]

here is a copy of the owners manual, it should list the relay location, there are a number of them that are the same you can temporarily swap them. Good idea to pick up a copy of the Hanes or Chilton manual

http://www.extendedgmwarranty.com/owners-manual/pontiac/2001-Pontiac-GrandAm.pdf

 

[xboxmember1978]

Thanks for the info! If the coolant sensor is bad wouldn't that explain why the temp gauge isn't working? If yes, then is it possible that since the computer system doesn't know the temp that it's kicking the fans on prematurely just as a fail safe by default?

 

[melsg5]

i would think you would get a check engine light, do you have one?

 

[xboxmember1978]

Nope, not a single light is on

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[Zimgxp]

Check the coolant temp sensor. Get the car scanned to find out if it is giving the correct reading. I'm pretty sure if you have a bad sensor, it will run the fan. It can be tested with an ohm meter. I don't have the restistance numbers, but a search should find them.

 

[xboxmember1978]

I have an appointment at a repair shop for a free estimate, they said they want to test to see if the coolant sensor is getting power. I will report back asap

 

[xboxmember1978]

Very interesting day. The repair shop hooked it up to the computer and said the coolant sensor was throwing a code and I also have a misfire on cylinder 1!! He said that it's also throwing a code. The shop said it would be either a bad spark plug, wires or a coil pack! The quote they gave me is outrageous seeing how a coil pack and temp sensor is only $50.00 in parts, they said $325.00! From what I'm seeing I should be able to do them both myself in under and hour. It might not even be the coil pack, possibly just a plug or wire.

 

[xboxmember1978]

Well I replaced the coolant sensor and still the gauge inside the car doesn't work...errr...I'm at a loss

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[Zimgxp]

Maybe a bad gauge?

 

[xboxmember1978]

When I start the car all my gauges peak to the right for a brief second including the temp gauge, but then the temp gauge just stays all the way to the left, I just don't know what else to try.

 

[Cloudthelonewolf]

You could try checking the fuse for the gauge if there is one. but i believe the gauge it self has a sensor or relay somewhere on the car but i am not to sure where. try googling it