Cooling fan not turning on

[Bill Miller]

I have a 1992 Accord LX. For the last few weeks, the temperature gauge would read very hot while idling, but after I accelerated, it would decrease. For the last few days, it goes to very hot(the red part of the gauge) after just several minutes of driving.When I open the hood with the engine running, the cooling fan does not turn on. When I turn the engine off, the cooling fan kicks in. I have replaced the cooling fan relay with no luck. Any ideas on what could be causing this? would there be a way to temporarily wire it so that the fan is always running when the car is running?

Jason

 

[Bill Miller]

I should also add that I have already replaced the Main Relay and turning the heater up full blast does not make a difference.

 

[Mad Dog]

Most of those Jap cars use a Thermal ground switch that attaches to the engine or radiator, it looks like a sending units that screws in to the water jacket with 1 wire coming of it. When a preset temp. is reached the switch completes the circuit to ground and turns on the cooling fan, you can bypass the switch by removing the wire and connecting it directly to ground. The cooling fan will run when the ignition is turned on.

 

[Caroline (archive)]

I would next consider testing and/or replacing the coolant temperature switch. There appear to be two for your Accord. See

http://www.honda.co.uk/owner/AccordManual/400/16-103.pdf

especially the first page (component locations) and the last page (the test).

For more general info about your radiator, see
http://www.honda.co.uk/owner/AccordManual/index.html under "Engine," then "Radiator."

When you go after the coolant temperature switch(es), you might want to replace the current thermostat with a new, OEM thermostat at the same time. Just to help bring the whole system "up to date." (Unless of course you know the current thermostat is pretty new and OEM.) You'll be in the area of the thermostat, anyway, when you go after the switches.

www.autozone.com likely has more specifics for replacing the switches. Click on "Repair Guides" on the right, put in your car's info, look under "engine mechanical" (or similar) for cooling fan info, and go.

 

[Arthur Russell]

While my 81 Rabbit was like this, this isn't even remotely true for the 90-93 Accords. There is lots that can cause this problem, even with good sending units and a good relay.

Bill: use google's "groups" search feature, and search this NG for 'accord cooling fan'

As example here's a thread from someone who got some responses. It wasn't exactly your problem, but the ensuing discussion explored many of the components, and some tests to run:
http://tinyurl.com/3p55q

Good luck,
Arthur