Cooling Fans Wont Run

Tiny
KEITH_88
  • MEMBER
  • 1994 BUICK REGAL
  • 100,000 MILES
Ok guys, Ive tried everything. I have a 94 Buick Regal, 3800. The cooling fans wont run. This vehicle has a high and low fan, I cant get either to work. I tried hot wiring the fans to the battery and both do work. I flushed the Rad and installed a new Thermostat. I replaced the Coolant Temp Sensor. I double checked the relays and the fuses. I checked the wiring and everything seems to be ok. The oil is clean, no water. There is no signs of a blown head or gasket. The vehicle gets a little over 220 degree but never overheats. My vehicle does not stall and runs great except for the fan issue. Even when I turn the AC on neither fan will operate. Any thoughts or ideas? Any suggestions? Thank you very much!
Sunday, February 12th, 2012 AT 2:24 AM

10 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
Have you made sure you have a good ground to both fans?Also did you check for power to the fans when there supposed to be running?
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Sunday, February 12th, 2012 AT 2:28 AM
Tiny
KEITH_88
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Thank you for your response. Ive traced the wires and they all seem to be in good condition. How would I check if they are grounded properly? I'm guessing, get a volt meter and start checking circuits. I replaced the Rad cap today, it was a cheap option and I decided to go with a new one. Still no change, however. The heat gauge was starting to act strange. I discovered that I didn't have the Coolant Temp Sensor all the way screwed in. The gauge is now working correctly. Any Advice on the fan issue?
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Sunday, February 12th, 2012 AT 10:58 PM
Tiny
CHEVYFORLIFE
  • MECHANIC
  • 33 POSTS
The cooling fan on your regal doesn't turn in until 228. That's on high speed but the low speed it varies on a couple of things. Is it getting that hot?
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Sunday, February 12th, 2012 AT 11:02 PM
Tiny
KEITH_88
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Yes, it has gotten that hot. Or at least the temp gauge is reading that hot. I haven't had it over-heat on me but it has gotten well above the half way mark. I got the Temp Sensor as tight as I could into the head. Is it possible I'm just getting a false reading from the Temp Sensor? It's in a really hard place to reach.
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Sunday, February 12th, 2012 AT 11:51 PM
Tiny
CHEVYFORLIFE
  • MECHANIC
  • 33 POSTS
There is two temp sensors one for the gauge and one for the pcm. Which one did you replace?
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Monday, February 13th, 2012 AT 12:18 AM
Tiny
KEITH_88
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
I didn't know there were two. I replaced the one for the gauge. I know this is the one that controls the gauge because when I have it unplugged the gauge no longer works. I've been going by the Haynes Repair Manual and it doesn't say anything about a second sensor. Do you have any idea where it is located?
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Monday, February 13th, 2012 AT 12:30 AM
Tiny
KEITH_88
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Ok. I've been messing with this Buick for about a month now. I noticed a small amount of coolant leaking around the water pump the other day. I went ahead and pulled in off and replaced with a new part. I flushed the coolant again and added some new fluid. Tada, the cooling fans finally kicked on. Problem solved. Hopefully this will help someone out there. The second coolant temp sensor in right under the water pump, by the way. Any questions feel free to ask. Thanks for the help guys.
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Friday, March 23rd, 2012 AT 6:42 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
Your welcome glad to hear you got it fix I must not have gotten a email alert when you posted the reply back in feb sorry about that.
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Friday, March 23rd, 2012 AT 11:27 PM
Tiny
KEITH_88
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Something else interesting I noticed today. The low coolant light had blinked on and off at different times over the last year. I would check the coolant level and it would appear full. I figured the sensor must be bad. Since I have fixed the water pump issue the low coolant light no longer comes on. I assume it was blinking on because I wasn't getting the proper coolant flow through the coolant system when it was pressurized. I hope this bit of info helps someone else out there.
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Saturday, March 24th, 2012 AT 10:56 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
Thanks for sharing that with us I have never heard of that or seen but if the lights off thats great.
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Saturday, March 24th, 2012 AT 11:04 PM

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