The last hot day that I was driving, I noticed my engine temp seemed higher than normal, and when I hit the AC to turn it on, I didn't hear the fan come on. Popped the hook while in traffic to take a quick look, and sure enough it was not running. My AC has worked fine for the last few years that I've had the car, and even seemed to be working earlier this summer. I've got an 86GT with the stock R12 coolant.
So I took it into a shop and they called saying they think I'm just low on R12. That if my coolant is low, the fan won't turn on, and that it'll still come on if the engine gets warm, but that the temp set for that is something like 240*.
From previous Fiero experience, I thought the radiator fan should come on when you hit the AC button no matter if you have Freon or not. At least, that's what I used to do in my 88GT whenever it would start getting warm.
I tried turning the ignition and AC on without the engine running in the garage, and I could hear what sounded like the AC trying to click on in the rear, but the fan still didn't turn on.
All this said, the shop confirmed that the fan is not seized and is working properly.
Any ideas on where I should start looking? I'm wondering if there's a switch or whatnot from the AC unit that's not telling the fan to come on properly.
If you detach the wire at the temp sensor on the engine and ground it to the block, the fan should turn on. If it does, there is a problem with your A/C circuit.
Haven't had a chance to try the wire yet, but I did confirm that the fan DOES NOT come on with heat. Kinda warm day today, got stuck in traffic and it was around 220. Got home, let it idle in the driveway for a bit, and it warmed up til the light came on. Tried turning on the A/C, nothing. No fan, no AC.
Drove it around til it cooled off, didn't take long. Going to try checking that wire this weekend.
I also always thought the fan should come on when you push the AC button even if the AC isnt working too. The stock fan switch is set to turn it on at 235 degrees. I recommend getting a lower one from Rodney. http://www.rodneydickman.com/retail.html engine/Low Temp Radiator Fan Switch
I run the 210° on / 200° off switch .
[This message has been edited by 2.5 (edited 08-08-2014).]
Ok, I think I found that fan switch you were talking about. Take a look in the pic. So I disconnected, shorted it to the block. The rear blower fan came on (86GT), the one that blows on the ignition coil or whatver. But the one in the front did not turn on.
Where does that leave me? Should I start checking fuses and/or relays?
Ok, good news bad news. Good news is that my fan relay was bad. Plugged it in and the fan came on when it was supposed to.
Potentially bad news. I started it up in the garage. Didnt drive anywhere but turned the ac on with engine running. I heard a click in the rear and the engine would bog down for a sec. Then itd idle normal for about ten seconds then click and bog for a second.
I think thats my ac clutch trying to engage. Should I drive it around, let the engine come up to temp before trying the ac again and coming to any conclusions?
Ok, good news bad news. Good news is that my fan relay was bad. Plugged it in and the fan came on when it was supposed to.
Potentially bad news. I started it up in the garage. Didnt drive anywhere but turned the ac on with engine running. I heard a click in the rear and the engine would bog down for a sec. Then itd idle normal for about ten seconds then click and bog for a second.
I think thats my ac clutch trying to engage. Should I drive it around, let the engine come up to temp before trying the ac again and coming to any conclusions?
My Ac will click about every 20-30 seconds when idling I was told this is normal. 10 seconds does seem excessive and is probly due to low refrigerant. For sure I'd drive it around 1st tho, nothing to lose.
Sounds good. I'll test and report back. Ive got 1 can of freon on the shelf. Doubt itd be enough to fill it if its empty but ifbits just low it might work
