Radiator fan control

[Bruce]

Hey Gang:

I need some help and I did a search on this and I came up empty. sorry if you're tired of answering this question. headbang

I just replaced the radiator and all of the cooling hoses and coolant in my '89 and now I'm having a fan control problem. The fan will not come on when it should. I can manually turn it on by activating the defrost mode on the heater control. I think there are two things that control the fan but don't know how to troubleshoot this.

any and all help from you experts who have "been there and done that" would be greatly appreciated.

thumb beer

 

[projectSHO89]

How to troubleshoot the fan circuit: http://www.shoforum.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=17;t=005071

Steve

 

[Bruce]

Steve:

Thanks for the reply and the url. You Da Man!! thumb

I replaced the ECT sensor along with the thermostat when I did the maintenance on the cooling system.

Sorry for my ignorance but I don't know what a EDF is? shrug Is the IRCM the control module underneath the plastic fan upper trim piece on the drivers side? shrug

Is it safe to assume (seeing my fan turns on with the defrost mode) it's the IRCM?

Thanks a ton for your help. I am not good at this stuff. Give me brake maintenance any day!!!

<small>[ June 04, 2003, 12:01 AM: Message edited by: Bruce ]</small>

 

[Bruce]

Steve:

Correction: I only replaced the dash gauge sending unit (single wire). Discovered this researching over at SHO Times. So, if I replace the ECT (two wire sending unit) that may do it?!? If not, I need to replace the Control Module? Correctomundo?!?

Thanks for your help on this. I really appreciate it!!! thumb

 

[projectSHO89]

Sorry for my ignorance but I don't know what a EDF is?

EDF is mneumonic for the signal Electro-Drive Fan. It is the signal from the computer to switch on the relay that provides power to the actual fan motor. It is 12V when the fan is not commanded on, then is dropped to ground to energize the relay.

Is the IRCM the control module underneath the plastic fan upper trim piece on the drivers side?

Yes.

Is it safe to assume (seeing my fan turns on with the defrost mode) it's the IRCM?

No. That means the relay box is working. Look at the ECT and test it per the procedure I posted. You can replace it, but if there is some other wiring fault, you will still have the same problem.

The 89 uses a single speed control of the fan. When it's turned on, it's on at high speed. Later models (around 92-on or so) went to a two speed fan setup.

BTW, the fan isn't supposed to come on until the ECT reads a temp of over 210F anyway. On my dash guage, this equates to around the "O" on the guage. Your's and other's will probably vary. This is normal.

Steve

 

[Bruce]

Steve:

My temp gauge goes past "N" when idling for extended periods. I turn the defrost on and bang zoom, down she goes.

Where is the ECT? I will test that first.

I really appreciate your help with this!
thumb

Bruce

 

[Bruce]

Steve:

Is it in that pipe in the heater hose line towards the back of the engine?

thanks,

Bruce beer

 

[projectSHO89]

Bruce:
Steve:

Is it in that pipe in the heater hose line towards the back of the engine?

thanks,

Bruce beer

Nope. That is the CELO for the EATC.

See this thread for a photo that shows the ECT: http://www.shoforum.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=17;t=005307#000002

Steve

 

[SHOZ123]

For $20 you can get a manual fan controller that is easy to install and adjustable to any range you need.

 

[Bruce]

Steve:

Ok, I got it now!! They say a picture is worth a thousand words!! NO DOUBT!!

Would have been much easier to replace that when I had the whole thing off but obviously I didn't know it was bad at the time. doh

I definitely owe you a beer beer for this one.

If you have any questions on 60's Ford products, fire away!!! I hopefully will be able to repay you with some advice. thumb

I'll try and get to it tonight or Saturday and report back.

Thanks again for the help. You have gone over and above and I appreciate the **** out of that!! beer thumb

 

[Bruce]

Steve:

That was it!!! thumb

ECT Sensor. listed for $43.00 at the Ford dealer and with my SVTOA discount it was $25.00. Sweet!!

It took two minutes to change and I lost 1 oz of coolant swapping it out. Tested it and it came on right at the "O" in normal.

Thanks for your help on this. I owe you a "BUD"! (I see you're in St. Louis so that is the appropriate brew I presume?)

Now I have to get busy on my '96 brake upgrade for the convention I am trying to attend and do a little driving at BFR. You going?

Thanks again Man!!!!! beer thumb

<small>[ June 06, 2003, 01:17 PM: Message edited by: Bruce ]</small>

 

[Markus]

Bruce:
SVTOA discount

How do I get one of these ?

 

[Bruce]

Mark:

You need an SVT vehicle (Cobra, SVT Contour, SVT Focus Etc,) and then you can join the SVT Owners Association (SVTOA). Some dealers like our sponsoring dealer give it's members discounts on parts. (not all do) Now, the discounts vary by profit in the item and this just happened to be a pretty good sized discount for this ECT sensor. Some discounts are only like 5% or something like that.

It costs $35.00 or $40.00 a year and you're able to participate in SVTOA sponsored events like drag events, autocrosses and track events. You must have a SVT VIN to join (I think) Go to SVTOA.com for more details.

Hope this helps!