Ok so before I start, I've searched this topic (not just on this forum but on google which lead me to ls1tech/etc) and nothing that helped me so far.

I recently replaced my battery and starter, and everything was fine. I decided a day or so later to clean all my connections to the ground/battery/alternator and so forth. I remember splashing just a bit of water down the engine bay near the wheels/radiator shroud/cover whatever it is.

Anyway, after connecting things back up and starting the car my fan is always on. Even on a cold morning the fan stays on. Driving for 10-20 minutes (engine temperatures are not far from 160) and fan still on.

Even though the check engine light is NOT on, I decided to scan for codes and nothing came up so that's out of the question.

I disconnected the harness that goes to one fan, start the car and the other fan turns on. So I shut it off, disconnect the OTHER fan and reconnect the first one and now the first one that's connected stays on.

When I disconnected each harness, I made sure it was dry and cleaned it of any dirt/debris.

The fan being on everywhere I go is driving me nuts, and yes the temp gauge works and the thermostat is only 4-6 weeks old.

Anyone know what it might be? I hate knowing that my alternator is working a bit harder all the time due to the draw from the radiator fan, and the fact that my radiator fan is going through more-than-normal use since it's always on.

 

The sensor on the radiator is for coolant level. It (most of the time incorrectly) tells the PCM if the coolant level is low. The sensor you may have been referring to is in the driver's side head and the PCM uses it to determine among other things, when to turn the fans on if the AC is not on.

Good man for checking even though the SES is not on. However, I have a question regarding your scanner. Do you know for sure it works? You may want to force a code by disconnecting something and make sure it sees the code. That would confirm it is communicating with your PCM.

One other note. Any time the AC compressor comes on, the fans will also. Just in case you didn't know, when you put the defroster on, the compressor comes on and so do the fans. So to many people, they don't think the AC is on cause they have it on defrost when they actually do have the AC on.

As far as them running all the time, I wold have to think it's a code you didn't see. I say that because 2 fans on 2 different circuits having the same problem is highly un likely. If you really feel like it, remove the relays for the fans and check them to see if they are shorted from NO to COM. Again I doubt it.

 

Unless I'm mistaken, I think the early '94's had A setup where one fan runs for low and the second come on for high. You tell by looking at the relays....two cooling fan relays, early 94, three late 94.

On the early setup, it has to be really hot for both fans to be commanded on...235F. If the computer actually thought it was that hot you would have other runability issues like it being to lean to run right at cold idle..

On the later setup, both fans run for low and high so it isn't quite as easy...but it's the same rough idea.

In my opinion, the place to start it with a scanner. See if the PCM is commanding the fans on. If it is, the fan circuit is doing what it's told and the issue lies elsewhere. If the PCM us not commanding the fans on then the problem is in the fan circuit somewhere....and could be as simple as a bad ground wire.

 

I'm sure that's a late night typo. The sensor in the head is for the gauge. The PCM uses the sensor in the water pump housing. But I know you know that

 

Thanks for the responses!

Ok so where to start....

I scanned my car with an OBD1/2 scanner ($250 scanner) that has all the connections for every type of vehicle. Anyway, it brought up no codes at one point and didn't communicate with the vehicle at another. I guess I should look at trying a different scanner (not sure when) and force a code to see if it reads properly.

Second, I looked at the fuse/relay box and I have a late '94 since I have 3 coolant fan relays.

Yes I know a fan kicks on when the A/C is turned on so no worries there guys, the A/C has been off the entire week.

When the car was on, I pulled relay #1 and one fan turned off but the other was on. So now I know for sure both fans are on. Pulled relay #2 with #1 still out and yep, both fans were running as someone stated above since there were no fans on at all when both relays were out.

Before I'm able to scan for any codes, what sensor should I take a look at in case one was damaged by water being splashed on it?

Oh and as far as the coolant goes, it's full. I read up on that low coolant level light prior to purchasing my camaro.

I love the car and hate to know it's not functioning as it should. I've been OCD about every car I've owned.

 

Check the coolant temp sensor in the water pump.

http://shbox.com/1/4th_gen_tech2.html#ect

Check the fuse for the AIR pump - #7 under hood box.

Does the SES light come on for a few seconds when you first turn the key to "run"?

Some scanners require a 12V supply from the vehicle. There is no 12V pin in the OBD-I connectors.

 

I'll check those things now in just a bit.

As for the light, yes it comes on for a short bit as well as ABS INOP and a few other things. Glad you asked though, had a Cressida with 7MGTE swap and some lights didn't work on the dash....that's another story

 

I'll have to go home or to my cousins to check the sensor, don't have a multimeter here.

Fuse checks out. Swapped it for another one (both new and the fog lamp fuse) and everything remains unchanged.

 

i just had a 94 camaro that i got rid of... one problem it had was the fans constantly stayed on! now i didnt fix it but i believe i traced the problem. the actual heating assembly inside the car had gone bad. no matter what setting the heater was on, vent, def, legs, etc the fans would constantly stay on.

soon as startup. turn it to off the fans shut off. so i always drove with it on off.. sucks for heating but thats how i had it never fixed to be sure though just something to think about

 

Well, I'm sure it's something minor...like I said (not sure if everyone read it) the problem started only AFTER I splashed some water down near the radiator when I was cleaning around the engine bay.

Btw, I'm not sure but did I read somewhere around here about running the fans either; manually or with other sensors set to a different temperature?.....I wouldn't mind running them off a switch or if there are sensors to make the fans kick on at slightly lower temps.

 

I used this on mine:

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/JET-60602/

But it won't mean a thing unless you get the problem with them running all the time fixed. They will still be on all the time.

I don't believe you have any sort of wiring issue or mechanical malfunction. I think you have a DTC that is causing them to come on.

Assuming your SES light works and it is not on, your DTC would be one that does NOT set an SES.

Of the DTC's that do not set an SES: 16,18,28,37,38,41,42,46,58,59,61,66,67,68,69,70,71 ,72,73,75,77,79,80,81,82,83,84,85,90,91,97 & 99.

You can eliminate the 16, 41 and 42 cause the engine would not run.

You can eliminate the 77 cause the fans would not run.

The majority of the remaining DTC's are transmission related.

You have to get a reliable scanner.

 

Man...it works then it doesn't...I don't know now.

Anyone mind dealing with me via phone? Just want a 2nd opinion on things and it's better to explain there rather than typing it all out and missing out key details.

 

Going to test that sensor on the water pump later today.

Yesterday, I decided to pull the relays and I went on a 5-minute drive. Got a bit warm (just past halfway) at the light, then dropped down when I started moving again.

Parked it, it started getting warm again.

Put the relays in, fans kick on and engine cools down.

An hour later, with relays still in I drive the car. Fans aren't on, so I drive around and I park and leave the car on. Temp goes up and fans kick on like they normally should.

I think everythings good now. Drove it this morning (cold) and the fans stayed on the entire time again....

 

[QUOTE=speedygonzales;6725410]The sensor on the radiator is for coolant level. It (most of the time incorrectly) tells the PCM if the coolant level is low. The sensor you may have been referring to is in the driver's side head and the PCM uses it to determine among other things, when to turn the fans on if the AC is not on.



Yep the sensor on the radiator is the coolant level switch. The sensor in the water pump is for the fans. The sensor on the drivers side head is for the temp gauge.

I need to stop posting in the middle of the night with one eye open asleep.

Forgive me...

 

We have been there and corrected my mistake several times already. Let it go. We understand.