overheating problems. fan doesnt work please help

[pontiac nino]

Originally posted by CAMAROWIDBASS:
bad ground?

Bad ground, exposed wires arching, improper connection. When the ac is not on, our fans are suppose to turn on at 210*. AC on, fans on, if you want it to sit lower buy a fan switch.

[fenderman]

The motor itself could be drawing too much current. If a bearing is going bad or some other resistance is being put on the motor it will draw more current than normal to operate. This is how the Firebird headlight motors work (and the reason the gears strip out so easily). The motors are powered until they reach their stopping point. When the headlight assembly binds up and cannot move any further, the motor puts a higher current load on the circuit and activates a relay which cuts power to the motors.

To sum it all up, one of the fan motors could be putting more of a load on the circuit causing the fuse to blow.

EDIT: Since this is a problem that takes time to develop I'd bet that whatever extra load the motor is putting on the circuit is very little. So the motor may look and sound like it is operating properly, but could be signaling that it is on its way out.

[ August 10, 2005, 02:40 PM: Message edited by: fenderman ]

['94firebirdv6]

well sometimes after i turn my car off when the fans are running i can hear a tick-tick-tick-tick-tick noise that slows down after awhile so i thought it was my fine since that would be the only thing still turning after the engine was off and it was....so i guess my fan is on its way out. can you just replace the bearings or do i have to buy a whole new fan?

[fenderman]

When dealing with fan motors I've simply replaced the entire motor.

These motors can be a bit pricey though (never purchased one for an f-body... just general experience with other vehicles) so if possible I'd have the motor bench tested to make sure that it is the motor making the ticking noise. Cooling metal inside your engine compartment can also make a ticking noise.

Seriously if you aren't 100% sure I would go take the car to a professional who can look at it in person and at the very least give you a second opinion.

['94firebirdv6]

no im sure its than fan making the noise....but how would i test it to see if it is drawing too much power? also could i just use say a 15 amp fuse instead for a quick fix?

[pontiac nino]

upgrade to lt1 twin fans :D

[fenderman]

An ammeter would be the only way to determine current draw on the motor and would have to be put somewhere in the fan motor circuit. This is why I was curious to see if you could get the motor bench tested. With a spare connector, all you would need is a 12V power source and an inline ammeter to determine proper operation.

However, before you go to all that trouble I'd say if the fan motor is definitely making noise replace it regardless. That will definitely be a weak link in your circuit no matter what else is wrong. The fan should simply hum. There should be no ticking from it whatsoever.

As far as putting a bigger fuse in, I don't see the harm in stepping it up one or two notches but I wouldn't run it that way for too long because it is only covering up a problem that should be taken care of. But you did mention it as a quick fix so if that is all you are intending to use it as, I say go ahead. The wires should support a 15A current draw without problem.

['94firebirdv6]

i got a bunch of 20 amp fuses around so can i use those?

also what kind of price am i looking at to replace it?

[fenderman]

Off the top of my head I'd say 50 to 75 bucks per motor.

I know it sounds like a pain but I would keep using the correct amperage fuses unless you need a 20 amp fuse to get you to the auto parts store. Then get the fan motor replaced as soon as possible. When I first posted I thought using a bigger fuse would be ok since a 16 gauge wire can safely handle 22 amps of current but I don't know what other things are inline with that circuit that may be affected by using an improperly rated fuse. It doesn't sound like your circuit is drawing that much over spec because this is a slowly occuring problem but who knows what it could turn into over time if left for too long. The circuit was designed for a certain amperage and with the sensitive nature of electronics I'd stay away from bigger fuses if it can be helped.

['94firebirdv6]

so i just need to replace the motor not the whole fan?

also i have a single fan so if i did find some twin lt1 fans pretty cheap would it just be plug and play or what else would i have to do?

[fenderman]

If I gave you an answer on twin LT1 fans I'd be b.s.ing you. I am not sure what your wiring harness looks like. My 99 Camaro has the twin fans in it already so looking at mine is obviously not what you would be looking at.

As for the first question unless there is some problem with the fan blade too the motor can be replaced by itself. The blade should just transfer over.

[pontiac nino]

You have to splice the wires to make a dual connection. Two wires +,-, that is all.
thread

['94firebirdv6]

well a new motor is only like 25 bucks so ill probably just do that