Intermittent Engine Cooling Fan Problem

[Lemming]

I'm having an issue with my engine cooling fan on my 2005 Pontiac Sunfire.

It appears to be an intermittent problem.

At what point should the cooling fan come on??

(1) Should it come on when the A/C is on??

(2) At what temp should it kick on in traffic (with A/C off)??

(3) Could this be the cooling fan relay??

(4) Can a relay fail intermittently??

I know the fan works, because when I pull in my garage and turn off the engine the fan comes on for a few minutes.

Thank you in advance...

 

[melsg5]

1. Yes it should come on with the AC
2. Should come on in the 215 to 225 area
3. and 4. Usually it works or doesn't work not intermittent but need to know if the fan comes on always with the AC

 

[Lemming]

Yes... the fan does come on when the A/C is turned on.

Recently, I was in light traffic (a little stop and go) with the A/C off and the temperature gauge started to rise. I've been in heavier traffic and hadn't seen the temperature rise to that point, thus I started thinking intermittent cooling fan issues.

Coolant level is good.

 

[melsg5]

you checked the coolant level on a completely cold car?
do you have any light brownish deposit in the oil filler cap?
since it happened only once it is hard to pinpoint the cause, sticky fan relay, sticky thermostat

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[Lemming]

Yes... I checked the coolant level after the car had been sitting two-three days.

The oil cap underside had some residue on it, but it wasn't light brown. It was dirty oil colored. What would light brown residue mean??

I think my next trick is to let the car run and run in the driveway (with the A/C off) and see if I can duplicate the situation.

 

[melsg5]

when antifreeze mixes with engine oil you get a chocolate milk shake colored deposit, not a good thing, cracked head, blown gasket, etc.

 

[Lemming]

I ordered a new cooling fan relay, fairly inexpensive and easy to replace. I'll try that first and see what happens.

Thank you for all of your help, today.

I appreciate your advice and knowledge.

 

[Jeremy_steven10]

I'm having the same problem, you solve it yet Lemming? I can use any help I can get.

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[EaOutlaw]

I'm having the same problem, you solve it yet Lemming? I can use any help I can get.

If your having a problem even the same problem as the OP, make your own thread to get maximum exposure and help.

In your thread post the model and year with engine size.
Post what problems your having, any relevant pictures. and what you have done to try and solve the problem.

 

[Lemming]

I'm having the same problem, you solve it yet Lemming? I can use any help I can get.

To answer your question, I don't know, yet...

I'm going to have to wait for the extreme heat of the AZ summer and get stuck in traffic with the A/C on to duplicate the circumstances.

Over the winter the engine temp has stayed in the 195 range.

I replaced the relay first, as it was easy to get to and under $10. When summer hits and if the problem occurs again, then I'll start looking at other aspects of the cooling system.

Here's hoping you're able to fix your Sunfire.

Happy Friday!

 

[Lemming]

I'm having the same problem, you solve it yet Lemming? I can use any help I can get.

I, recently, put my '05 Sunfire in the shop to have the mechanic do an A/C check before the extreme AZ heat hits.

Everything was fine with my A/C, but he told me that my radiator/overflow bottle cap was bad and suggested I replace it.

I did, and since then the temp has been in the normal range under all conditions.

Could a bad radiator/overflow bottle cap cause the fluctuating temperatures and heat spikes in traffic??

Thank you in advance for any information.

 

[melsg5]

If the cap you are referring to is a pressure cap, yes it would cause loss of coolant and overheating.

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