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cooling fan not working??

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413turbo

Member
Joined
Apr 16, 2008
Messages
975
wow these cars are temper-mental, after putting a new bulb in the trunk, i noticed the cooling fan isn't working. i got 0volts at the fan, 0 volts at the 3 wire connecter on the fan, and it looks like 0 volts on the red wires on the 2 fan relays. i can't see real good(or spell good either) but- i found a schematic, it looks like the red wires go to the starter motor and may have a fuse link.

so before i put in on stands and go chasing this fuse link, i post here. who at gm would put a fuse link near the starter, and under the car, this can't be right.

what do i need to do??
 
There are 3 fuseable links down by the starter... :rolleyes: I don't think any of them will cause the fan (only) not to work however. Man.... I chased a no fan issue for a LONG time. Start by grounding the temp sensor wire on TOP (not front) of the intake manifold... kinda' under/next to the throttle linkage. Remove the wire from the sensor and ground it.... the fan should kick in on 'Hi'. If it does, it's not a fuselink. Be careful pulling that connector, just squeeze and pull up. That sensor is fairly easily broken, and costs like $50! if you can find one. Alternately, try shorting (jumpering) the wires to A/C hi-pressure switch on the back of the A/C compressor. Should do the same thing. There IS a fuse (25 or 30 Amp) in the panel that will cause the fan not to work automatically. I don't think most people know that..... it took me over a year to figure it out.... and that was my problem :mad: Let me search around for which one and I'll get back....
 
I went and checked, and the fuse is labelled simply "A/C" - 25 amps, located 3 rows directly above the 30A brake (powermonster) fuse. (mid-upper right of fuse block). This is on my '86. Gotta' have it for either speed fan to come on automatically. I looked at the Vortex troubleshooting site, and it claims the 87's have a different 'relys' fuse. Look at the 'still confused' part with engine cold... that is where I would start if you are going to go that route....
 
hey, thanks to both of 'yall.

i had been looking for vortex buick, i had been there before but couldn't remeber the site.

i took the car up to the coke machine and came back and it was working, i used the wiggle test and it looks like it's going to be the delay relay, which i didn't know was there.

looks like the connectors could use a little cleaning too.

i checked all the fuses, they were good.
 
That delay relay is expensive and hard to find. Alot of people just don't use it anymore. Glad you got things working. I 'think' you can just unplug it and the fan will work fine.... just not stay on for a while after you shut it off hot.... (and not turn on mysteriously after midnight to run your battery down...).. :confused: You may want to research that a bit further... Anyway, glad things worked out!

Oh... and I see that you're new here.... you would be well advised to go to (and join) Turbo Regal Web Site and do some serious reading. That site is the original and the bible of TR technical information, and a great bunch of guys as well!! Welcome!
 
Thanks John... very nicely written. Confirms my meager thought process. My car still has the delay relay attached, and after reading your tech. paper, I will be removing it next time I go under the hood. Do you suppose I could maybe 'glue' the cover to the relay over the soon-to-be exposed connector, such that it appears that nothing is missing?? Thanks!
 
I suppose you could gut an old delay relay, then put it back together in the case. Then insert your two favorite connectors. Remember to seal the connections with lithium grease before you plug the connectors into the relay module.

As an alternative, wrap the connectors into the harness using the CORRECT harness tape.
 
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