Overheats cooling fans do not come on

Tiny
DMYTROVAGNER
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 BUICK RENDEZVOUS
  • 3.4L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 186,000 MILES
Problem persisted before all this work was done.
Okay so fuses all checked a few replaced.
Water pump thermostat temperature sensor pressure test compression test all the tests we're done a vehicle comes in a green light all around everything works perfect all the relays everything!
Here's my issue: the cooling fans don't come on when the A/C is on cooling fans on high come on when regular heat is on cooling fans on low come on GM says that's normal so everything is working as it should computer says everything up to temperature everything's perfect everything's working perfect.
Still overheats cooling fans don't turn on thermostat works it gets up to regular temperature sits there for a little bit then the thermostat opens and the vehicle gets hot after it gets over half overheated I have to turn on A/C or heat or something or turn the vehicle off all the wiring checked no issues. Sick and tired of this. I can't figure it out no one can figure it out. Help help help!
Thursday, July 11th, 2019 AT 8:33 PM

4 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,179 POSTS
Welcome to 2CarPros.

I'm not totally understanding what you are saying, " Here's my issue: the cooling fans don't come on when the A/C is on cooling fans on high come on when regular heat is on cooling fans on low come on GM says that's normal so everything is working as it should computer says everything up to temperature everything's perfect everything's working perfect."

They don't come on when the AC is on or they come on high when the AC is on and low when the heat is on?

I attached two pics of the cooling fan circuit for you to review. I had to cut the schematic in half so it would be readable. I did overlap it so you can follow it.

Let me know exactly what is going on.

Take care,
Joe
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Friday, July 12th, 2019 AT 7:39 PM
Tiny
DMYTROVAGNER
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
The AC turns on the cooling fans for the radiator in high mode with AC off and just heat on the radiator cooling fans come on low. When the heat is off and the AC off and the car overheats the cooling fans don't come on at all.
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Saturday, July 13th, 2019 AT 11:17 AM
Tiny
DMYTROVAGNER
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I'm thinking is there a relay on the car behind the bumper cover. There's no issues with circuits, this is what I don't understand. What are the car keeps overheating and the fans don't come on? What everything else is in the green got a short somewhere else.
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Saturday, July 13th, 2019 AT 11:18 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,179 POSTS
Welcome back:

What is interesting to me is the fans are on low with the heater on. That shouldn't be unless you are running the defroster. Okay, I have attached several pics below related to the system. I start at the pcm / ect send signal. Voltage is to travel through the yellow wire to the ect. Based on engine temperature, resistance changes in the sensor and is allowed to travel to the low reference. From there, power is sent to the fan relays based on need. Interestingly, there is a splice in the wiring that I'm questioning. Also, the term "low reference" is referring to ground. What I need you to do is check for power first at the ect. If there is power, I need you to find the splice in the harness as indicated in the schematics and confirm there isn't an issue with corrosion or connection in any way. If it is good, then I need you to check continuity between the ect orange/black wire and where it plugs into the pcm.

If that all checks, and there is power to the signal send to the yellow wire on the ect, then you need to disconnect the PCM, inspect the pin for low reference (orange / black wire) in the harness for corrosion or if it is pushed in and not making contact. If it is good, check continuity for ground at the low reference pin in the PCM. If there is ground move to the next step.

______________________________

Once we know power is making it all the way through the system to the low reference, then we have to check for power out to the fan relays. If you refer to the pics I attached first, you will see the pins and wire colors. Now, this has to be done when the engine is hot and the fans should be on, so be careful. If there is no power out going to the relays, suspect a bad PCM.

______________________________

Here are the pics. Don't laugh at the arrows. I had to go across several pages for you to see everything and I made some really sad arrows to follow.

I realize this is a lot, but since they won't run based on the ECT sensor's request, something in this has failed. Please keep in mind, it could be something as simple as a loose connection at the PCM or even corrosion or a pulled pin in the harness. However, I have a feeling that you may find an issue at the splice indicated.

Let me know what you find, if you have questions, or need help. One last thing. Picture 2 is a continuation of the bottom portion of pic 1. I just wanted you to know where I started and couldn't fit everything into one picture and make it readable. After pic 2, everything will follow a natural order.

I have one last really stupid question. Are you certain the ECT is the correct one and although it's new, it is good?

Take care,
Joe
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Saturday, July 13th, 2019 AT 8:40 PM

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