1996 Acura Integra Radiator and Condensor fans not turning

KATES0103

MEMBER
1996 ACURA INTEGRA
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
175,000 MILES

The car sat up for about 6 months. It worked fine when we parked it. Now neither the radiator or the condensor fans will turn on. Both fans work. I was able to jump them from the battery and they both work. The fuses are ok too. Someone told me to try the engine coolant temperature sensor. I removed the part and jumped it across the wire harness, and the fans turned on. I got the part from a salvage yard (actually got it from a friend who happened to have some extras after he changed his), but it didn't work. Is there anything else I can try? Should I attempt to get another part from a salvage yard on the off chance that the part I got was messed up? I have no idea where to go from here. Just want to get the car running so I can sell it.

7 Replies

KHLOW2008

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41,815 POSTS

Hi Kates0103,

The cooling fans would not come on until the engine attains a certain temperature.

Was the engine overheating and fans do not come on?

Did you check the coolant level?

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Monday, March 8th, 2010 AT 10:08 AM

KATES0103

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Thanks so much for your help! I'm stumped.

When I parked it, both of the fans worked. It never overheated. I replaced the radiator fan a couple of years ago after an accident, and since then, it's run all the time. The engine didn't need to warm up before it would turn on, it would run all the time. Now neither of the fans will turn on at all.

I can get the fan to run when I jumped a wire across the ECT sensor harness. Replaced the ECT sensor with salvaged part (and have a couple extra that I can try if that one is actually messed up). And still neither of the fans will come on.

Shouldn't the AC fan be on all the time when the AC button is pressed? Does this part control both of them? There are no other electrical issues with the car. And it was fine when I parked it.

Could the radiator fan running all the time, be an indication that the ECT was going out and I just didn't know it?

Does this part affect both fans? Or do I have two different problems?

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Monday, March 8th, 2010 AT 12:57 PM

KHLOW2008

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If the fan switch wire is bridged, the fans would come on when the ignition switch is turned on.

When the AC is turned on, both fans should come on.

If you can get the fans to operate when the fan switch connector is bridged, then it is the fan switch or you have insuficient coolant in the system.

Does the compressor work when the AC is turned on?

If yes, you would need to check the condenser fan relay and power supply to it.

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Monday, March 8th, 2010 AT 2:55 PM

KATES0103

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First of all, let me say that I am so thankful for all the help that you have given. Thanks so much for taking your time to help me out.

To answer your question, the compressor does not come on when the AC is turned on. I decided to unplug the AC switch, and jump the harness, and the AC turned on. It is also the same fan that comes on when I jump across the ECT switch.

Could it be just an interruption at the AC switch that is causing all the gremlins?

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Monday, March 8th, 2010 AT 10:07 PM

KHLOW2008

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You're welcomed.

From what had transpired, yes, I would say the AC not working has got you off track.

Once the compressor works, tha fans starts working so you have a fauly AC switch.

The fans would not come on with the compressor not working until the engine reaches the set temperature to turn the fan switchon.

When starting from cold, I would say you need at least 20 minutes or more before the engine temperature attains the preset temperature of the fan switch.

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Tuesday, March 9th, 2010 AT 6:24 AM

KATES0103

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Thanks again.

Could the fact that it is low on freon cause the AC switch not to work, which in turn would make neither the fan and the compressor come on?

Am I having a low freon issue that is affecting whether the fan comes on?

I jumped the radiator fan motor straight from the battery to the exposed wires and it sparked really badly. It didn't do that when I jumped to the AC fan motor.

I feel like I am spinning my wheels and getting nowhere. The fans seem to be working. But I can't get them to turn on. Changed the ECT and the AC fan switch and it still doesn't work. I don't know anymore.

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Tuesday, March 9th, 2010 AT 4:45 PM

KHLOW2008

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When freon is insufficient, there would be insufficient pressure in the system and the pressure switch would not allow the compressor to be turned on.

Even if the fans are not working, you need not worry about it unless you are having overheating issues.

When you jumped the fan switch, the radiator fan did not work?

The fan requires quite a large current draw so it can spark but too much resistance could mean the fan motor is bad, shorted internally causing the sparks.

Start the engine and allow it to run till the temperature reaches normal reading, should be about 1/2 way in the gauge. As long as the temp does not go above 3/4, continue to run and watch the radiator fans, if they come on angd goes off intermittently, there is nothing to worry about.

The cooling system is good, only the AC system is not.

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Thursday, March 11th, 2010 AT 6:05 AM