1993 Chevrolet Cavalier Cooling fan problem

Tiny
TAZWIND
  • MEMBER
  • 1993 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • 2.2L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 180,000 MILES
Hey guys:
Well by looking at the previous request for help, I've got to tell you you guys helped out big time last time. Anyway, the chevy has 5 K in her now, such a beautiful car BUT, it had gotten hot and after I had the radiator replaced, the mechanic's had a problem getting the fan to come on automatically. After changing the temop senso it started coming on BUT way after it used too, used to come on at about 205 and then it wasn't coming on until about 230. Well. Now it won't come on automatically UNLESS I turn the air on. ALSO if I wait until about 230 degrees and turn the air on, as mentioned the fan will come on and I then can shut the air off and the fan will continue to run until the temp drops down to about 195 degrees. I have changed EVERYTHING but the fan motor but everything else. Could I have done some damage to the computer? EVERYTHING else on this beauty works and the interior of this thing is just as nice as the exterior !
Thank you,

Ron
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Thursday, May 7th, 2015 AT 6:30 AM

38 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Do you know the location of the sensor that was replaced? Also you could have a bad new sensor or it could be the wrong sensor or the right sensor put in the wrong place. It sounds like the fan circuit is working correctly if it comes on with the ac.I have seen the wrong sensor put in the right place the right sensor put in the wrong place or just a bad brand new sensor. Also if you had a scan tool that read live engine data like coolant temp that would help. Are you using a infrared temp gun to see when the fan comes on to see when the fan turns on?Or are you using the cars temp gauge?
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Thursday, May 7th, 2015 AT 6:40 AM
Tiny
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Hey there:

Yes the cooling sensor is the one on the drivers side front quarter panel. I found it odd when I bought the new one, it only had 4 prongs and the original stock unit has 5. Though auto zone does show the 4 prong as the right one when you look up the part. Now as far as temp, I just go by the temp gauge but I'll guarantee you when the gauge shows it getting warm, it is.
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Thursday, May 7th, 2015 AT 6:44 AM
Tiny
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Iam just saying dash temp gauges can be wrong and I never use them to diagnose when a fan comes on. Does your connector going to the sensor have 4 or 5 wires going to it?
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Thursday, May 7th, 2015 AT 12:19 PM
Tiny
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Hey there:

I'll take a look tonight. I did look to see if the stock (old one I kept) had 4 or 5 prongs and it only has 4. I was mistaken, autozone sells 5 prong of which I bought. I have no idea as to why the replacement has 5 and not 4. Also I noticed the old/stock unit has GM ABS V1 on it, does this relay also control the ABC System or is the numbers just a part number. I REALLY appreciate your help and if you guys can get me through this (the final glitch of the car) there will be yet another donation.

Thank you !
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Friday, May 8th, 2015 AT 7:01 AM
Tiny
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That relay is the abs relay the roman numerals refer to the model of the abs.I really wish you had a scan tool that could read live data of the actual coolant temp the computer is reading.
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Friday, May 8th, 2015 AT 8:53 PM
Tiny
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What are the wire colors to the sensor that was replaced?
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Friday, May 8th, 2015 AT 9:14 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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I just looked up the coolant temp sensor for your 1993 chevy caviler on the auto zone website and it shows a 3 pin sensor for your car. What are the wire colors and the numbers of wires to the sensor you replaced?
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Friday, May 8th, 2015 AT 9:34 PM
Tiny
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Good morning:

The coolant temp sensor has been replaced, it has a three wire sensor as you said. I put the old coolant fan relay back on yesterday and the fan still does not come on (probably why I had bought a new one and replaced). ALL the parts were replaced, the temp sensor (which the mechanic had told me the reason the fan originally wouldn't come on was the reason), has been replaced twice, once by them and again by me. In will check but I think the wires going into the connector only has 2 wires. The fan worked right up until I took the car into Discount tire and had the tires, struts, brakes, etc replaced AND the mechanic there said they could replace the radiator and fuel injectors (2 were leaking and radiator was shot from sitting so long) also. I was VERY skeptical to let a tire shop do this but went ahead. That's when the fan wouldn't come on (I sat there 8 hours not knowing what the hell). Then I was told "we got the fan to come on by changing the TEMP SENSOR and yes it did, 40 degrees hotter then it used to come on, going by the temp gauge. And again, now it won't come on at all. Last gig on this beautiful car and it's driving me nuts ! In the day I've built many a "hot rod" motor, I have an off road race team with a Trophy truck and numerous motorcycles we race, I ain't no dummy. BUT. When it comes to the newer stuff and me getting a bit lazy, I take my car in for any repairs, just don't have the iggy you guys do. I just went out and checked, 3 wires to the sensor, green, yellow and black. The go into a massive wire loom/harness and the 2 wires to the fan, bigger gauge wire, purple and black. You guys are good, I'll throw another $100 smackers in a donation if we get through this.

Let me know how to proceed and muchos,

Ron
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Saturday, May 9th, 2015 AT 5:55 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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If you turn on the ac and the radiator fan comes on that tells me the relay fan and wires are all good. Try this start the car up and unplug the sensor does the fan come on?
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+1
Saturday, May 9th, 2015 AT 7:12 AM
Tiny
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Do you know how to flash the codes out of the check engine light thru the obd1 connector?If so with the key in the run position jump the obd1 connector to flash the codes is the radiator fan on?Also do you have a infared temp gun to measure surface temperature?
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Saturday, May 9th, 2015 AT 7:43 AM
Tiny
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Yes sir, I've done that and it comes on, just like I THINK it's supposed to do?
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Saturday, May 9th, 2015 AT 8:33 AM
Tiny
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So the fan driver in the computer is good and the fan and fan circuit is good. Do you have a infared temp gun to measure surface temperature?
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Saturday, May 9th, 2015 AT 8:46 AM
Tiny
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Yes I have a OBD1 tester and No, Infrared tester. There are NO CODES coming up, nothing. Nest idea?
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Saturday, May 9th, 2015 AT 8:59 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Heres what I always do with a fan issue when I know the fan circuit and computer fan driver is good I hook up the scan tool and compare the actual coolant temp verus what the computer sees. But you dont have a scan tool so what I would do since the sensor is new and I dont trust your temp gauge on the dash they go bad and usually read higher than they should the ones I have come across.I would get a infared temp gun they have came down alot over the years I bought mine when they first came out.150 in 1995 and I still have that same gun works great still. There like 20-50 you could probably get one cheap at harbor freight.I would let it run while measuring the coolant temp at the thermostat housing the fan should turn on at about 221-223 sometimes a little higher depends on the car even the same make and model. You can use that temp gun for a lot of different things there nice to have.
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Saturday, May 9th, 2015 AT 9:29 AM
Tiny
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Can your obd1 tester read live engine data like coolant temp?
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Saturday, May 9th, 2015 AT 7:45 PM
Tiny
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Good morning:
I sure hope this doesn't go to your cell phone and if it does, wakes you. Getting ready to head to a race at Glen Helen thus up early on a Sunday and your reply. No I don't think the scan meter work as you ask, it just tell you what ever code may have come up. I'll see if I can locate a infrared tester and give that a try. AGAIN, keep the info coming and thank you ! We will conquer this matter ! If the temp gun shows what the dash gauge shows and the fan still is not coming on, then what? Just asking so you will be prepared.

Ron
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Sunday, May 10th, 2015 AT 4:45 AM
Tiny
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I'm tempted to take the car to the gentleman that builds the engines for the race truck but he's in Barstow and he's already "donated" so much time in the truck that I really don't feel comfortable. Thus the reason I've been paying mechanic's (mobile ones also) plus by paying some of these peeps, I'm helping them out also. I've never been one to ask for anything free and always the one to give more than expected. But I will see if I can locate a infrared temp gun and try to get this done with your help.

Thanks again,

Ron
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Sunday, May 10th, 2015 AT 5:12 AM
Tiny
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You live in California? Where abouts?
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Sunday, May 10th, 2015 AT 8:18 AM
Tiny
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If the fan still doesn't come on I want to see what the computer is reading.
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Sunday, May 10th, 2015 AT 3:26 PM
Tiny
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Good morning:

I live in Yucca Valley, just north of Palm Springs. The scanner I have is the type that only reads and gives results to codes, it doesn't have the ability to
actually read anything and the "check engine" light doesn't come on thus no codes to read.

I just can't figure why the temp gauge would just "all of a sudden" start reading incorrectly, just doesn't make sense. But you are the brains behind this dilemma, not me.
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Monday, May 11th, 2015 AT 4:36 AM

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