How force cooling fans on to check them?

[gtphill]

I just finished a radiator swap, and can't make the cooling fans kick on in the cool weather here by idling the motor for an extended period. Is there a way to trick them on to check that they are still functioning properly?

 

Regal with gen1 3800, not obdc2

 

Thanks!

[z34Phoenix]

turning on the AC should get one fo the fans to start up. as for the main fan its is temp related. are you running a cooler Thermostat? like a 180? if so spend the $10 and get a warmer Tstat to put in. if not...you could always run power direct to them? but still wont check fan turn on. as long as they power up with direct power and your temp gauge on the dash works... then your good.

[Crazy K]

year?

 

obd 1 cars (ie 93 and down) test their fans when you jump the aldl connector to flash the check engine light.

 

the fans should also kick on if you were to unplug the coolant temp sensor (the one for the ecm) as the car goes into failsafe mode and runs the fans to prevent overheating if it thinks it is too hot.

[Miko K]

Or... You can just pop the covers off the fan relays and manually turn them on with your finger

[Crazy K]

Or... You can just pop the covers off the fan relays and manually turn them on with your finger

yes, you can do that too.

 

of course making the ecm do that makes ure the ecm can when it needs to.