radiator fan question.

[penciltester]

So from what I have read if I turn on my air conditioning with the key turned on but not with the engine running, my fans should kick on, correct? They do but only for a few seconds. Like maybe to a count of 15, then they stop.

I also had the temp up to about 200 and the fans didn't kick on. What temp do they normally activate at?

Then once the engine got down to between 100 and the first tick mark, I tried turning on the air to see if the fans would kick on. They did and kept running.

So it seems my fans will only run at a low temp and that doesn't do me any good. Anyone else had this problem?


Thanks again everyone.

[Bitsyncmaster]

As long as your AC system is charged and the air temp is above 50 deg. turning your AC on without the engine running should keep the fans running until your battery runs down.

Your fans should kick on a little above the coolant thermostat setting (think that is 195 deg.F). If your fans come on at a lower temp then they would run all the time after the engine has warmed up.

[penciltester]

Thanks for the reply. So the first tick mark above 100, is that about 155/160?

[Gregadeth]

Thanks for the reply. So the first tick mark above 100, is that about 155/160?Yes, 160

[Jonathan]

As long as your AC system is charged and the air temp is above 50 deg. turning your AC on without the engine running should keep the fans running until your battery runs down.

Your fans should kick on a little above the coolant thermostat setting (think that is 195 deg.F). If your fans come on at a lower temp then they would run all the time after the engine has warmed up.

This is important. You can do this test and see the fans kick on, but if the Freon is low, it won't work. If your fans are shutting off after 15 seconds in this set-up, it could be the low pressure switch measuring refrigerant pressure isn't staying satisfied.

You can jumper that low pressure switch, just for this sort of test, but don't leave the jumper in place while you have the engine running (and consequently the compressor running).

[DMCVegas]

I literally have nothing to add to this thread, except to say that because of your avatar penciltester, every time I read your posts I hear Sterling Archer's voice in my head narrating them.

[Bitsyncmaster]

Thanks for the reply. So the first tick mark above 100, is that about 155/160?

The temp gauge can't be linear. I would guess your coolant thermostat is pretty accurately calibrated so you can transpose that value (195 deg. F) to where your gauge normally reads.

You can tell when your thermostat opens by feeling the hose from the water pump on the drivers side suddenly get hot.

[Moneypenny]

I literally have nothing to add to this thread, except to say that because of your avatar penciltester, every time I read your posts I hear Sterling Archer's voice in my head narrating them.

+1

[penciltester]

So what temp would you guys say the "Danger Zone" is?


"Danger Zone" reference with a nod to dmcvegas and moneypenny.

[DMCMW Dave]

I don't like the dash gauge above the 220 mark. But I've seen a couple cars where the gauge is way out of calibration so it's normal "for that car". Get one of those laser/thermal thermometers and measure the hose right at the otterstat to see what's really going on.