1988 5.0 TBI Cooling Fan Not Coming on

[aldaran]

Does anyone know if 1988 Camaro's have a fan relay and where it is at? When I bought my camaro, the fan was wired directly to the Ignition so it would turn on when the car was turned on. I just want it to work the way it should and not run all the time. Thanks for all your replies in advance.

[Benm109]

Yep, you have a coolant fan relay. It should be located in between the brake booster/master cylinder and the driver's side fender. There should be a small black metal bracket that is holding 2 relays in it. The one closest to the brake booster is the fuel pump relay (with 5 wires) and the one closest to the fender is the coolant fan relay (has 4 wires). I can get a picture if you need it, just let me know.

[CLWILSON]

Another thing that you might want to check would be the fan switch which is in the passenger side head.

[Joe 1320]

It seems like there is also one located alongside the radiator on the passenger side about 1/4 of the way down. At least there is on my 87.

[aldaran]

Cooling Fan

Thanks for all of your replies again. Will check all of those items this weekend, and wish for the best. I really think its the fan relay since it was re-wired and the colors don't match the car's original wiring. Might ask for some help figuring that one out.

[aldaran]

Fan Still not Coming On

Ok, this is getting very annoying. I checked and replaced the relay, and all the wires match up. I replaced the temperature sensor, and the fan will still not come on. Any other ideas? A friend suggested having the computer checked to make sure it is telling the fan to come on. Don't know what else to look for. If I jump the relay, the fan will turn on, so something is not telling the relay to kick the fan on. I assume it's the ECM right? I would appreciate any thoughts. It does not have a relay near the radiator. Thanks again for your replies in advance.

[CLWILSON]

Here's a link to a thread in another forum that has a picture of the fan switch on the passenger side head. Hope this helps.

http://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/show...hreadid=124917

[CLWILSON]

One thing to remember is that picture would have been taken from under the car. You can't see it from the top of the engine.

[Trash man]

if u jump it, it comes on? so im guessing all the senors are working, maybe the ecu like u siad is a lil wacked out, see if u can do a trade real quick or get a scan tool.

[WICKED LT1]

A friend suggested having the computer checked to make sure it is telling the fan to come on. I assume it's the ECM right?

The fan is not controlled by the ECM on a 3rd gen. It is completely regulated by the fan control switch that is in the bottom of the block water jacket. This is why to change fan on/off temps you have to buy a new switch from Hypertech etc. Check your wiring, and maybe replace the switch. Should not be too expensive at the local parts haus.


-Paul

[DeWynter]

The fan is not controlled by the ECM on a 3rd gen.

This not exactly true. On my TPI both fans are controled by the ECM. Im not sure about the TBI but in 88 I think there is a fail safe plus an ECM control. I will check my computer for the info when I get to work.

[Benm109]

DeWynter is right, the TPI ECMs control the fans. But, the TBI ECMs do not control the fan in any way. There is a coolant fan switch in the passenger side cylinder head that operates the fan once it reachs a certain temp, 238* if I remember correctly. Either that or turning on the AC.

aldaran, I responded to your PM.

[aldaran]

Fan Working Fine Now

Well, the fan is up and running. Thanks to Benm109, the Fan Switch was the problem. Replaced with a Corvette's Aftermarket to turn on at a cooler temp and works like a champ.