2001 Sunfire GT 5spd/Std overheating

[Matk41]

First post on these forums, so please be gentle.

I've been having some issues with my radiator fan not kicking on. When idling the temperature gauge in the car shoots up into the redzone if left alone, but while driving the temperature stays normal. Obviously the air moving through the rad is keeping it cool, but I've observed that the radiator fan isn't kicking on at all, even at high temperatures. Also, you can hear the clutch fan kicking in about every 10 seconds.

I've spliced in a wired and connected it to a light that I've run into the cab. The light will light up when power goes to the rad fan, and as of yet I have not seen the light come on. So either power isn't getting to the rad fan or the PCM isn't being signalled to start the rad fan.

I'm just wondering where I should start with potential fixes.

Also if anyone has any ideas or additional information, I'd be infinitely grateful.

Thanks.

 

[melsg5]

Not sure what you mean you by a clutch fan on this type of car.
Check the fuse in the engine compartment fuse box. Does the fan run if you turn on the A/C? If you apply power directly to the fan motor does it run? If it does the next thing to check is the temperature sensor that turns the fan on.

 

[tomgp]

there should also be a fan relay in the fuse box.