Thread: Fan issue, mechanical NEWB questions...

Yesterday, some folks were helping me in Chat to figure out how to begin to diagnose my overheating issue. I appreciate that.

I'm certainly not unintelligent, but I am a Total 100% Newb with anything mechanical. I have never changed my own oil. Took me two (2) tries to remove and replace my lug-nuts, had to buy a long breaker bar. Keep that in mind if you decide to help me out. Clueless.

Let's see......Fluid. Radiator cap. Overflow tank. Fan Operation. Fan fuse. Fan relay. Fan itself. Thermostat.

Fluid. Check. 100% full in cold radiator, right up the cap. Overflow has about 1/4-1/3 fluid in it cold. Fluid is 50/50 water and anti-freeze. All looks good, bright green. Fluid was changed about 18-months ago.

Radiator cap. Check. All *looks* OK to me. (new Z32 cap in 2008)

Turn on vehicle, turn on AC. The only fan that comes on is the drivers side fan. Hmmmm......

Turn off AC. Let car get fully warm. Rev it until the fan(s) should be kicking on. The Drivers Side turns on, not the passenger side. Hmmmmmm....

Car still running. Turn on AC, still no Passenger Side fan. Drivers side still working just fine.

Turn off car. Let it cool. Attempt to move the Passenger Side fan manually with the tip of a screwdriver. Seems stuck to me, will not move at all. Move Drivers Side, yep it spins freely.

Three (3) n0oB questions:

1) If the Drivers Side fan turns on, but not the Passenger side, do I need to check the fuses? Are there two (2) separate fuses, one for the Drivers Side, and one for the Passenger? Or is it just one fuse for both?

OR...

2) Since the Passenger Side does not move manually at all, is my diagnosis done and I have a dead fan?

I *think* is the second option. Dead frozen fan --> Replace.

3) IF I am replacing the fan, do I replace both, or just the dead unit? I would *assume* just the single dead unit. Or do these things usually die around the same time-frame and I should replace both while I am in there?

In my ignorance, anything I am missing before I order another fan?

Thanks.

Shawn B





If it matters, these are my Spal fans, purchased in 2006.

Spal fans information..... - SR20 Forum




Found on Ebay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/12-INCH-SPAL-THINLINE-ELETRIC-PULLER-FAN-30100467-VA10-AP10-C-61A-/300736708006?hash=item46054dfda6&item=300736708006&pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr

If it doesn't spin, it's a dead soldier. It's just an electric motor, with fan blades attached, and should spin freely by hand. Just make sure there's nothing physically stopping the blades from turning, like something stuck between the blades & the radiator. Other than that, replace the fan.

C

I think the fan is dead and you need a new one.

I would try to check the part with a multimeter to see if the electronics are ok.

Maybe the plug going to the fan is knocked loose, try wiggling the wires going there when the fans are on. (with the A/C on)

If the fan is froze up, it is dead.

Thank you gentlemen. That is what I thought.

Holy crap, I followed directions and I figured out what was wrong!

I'll have Wifey order up the Spal fan when she wakes up and gets her Ebay on.

Inevitably more newb questions when I go to install the new fan.

Gracias!

How's it mounted to the radiator? If you're using those zip-tie like posts, you'll need new ones.

C

Good thinking.



http://www.spalusa.com/store/main.aspx?p=itemdetail&item=30130011

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ELECTRIC-FAN-MOUNTING-BRACKETS-TABS-SPAL-30130011-/300736533913?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item46054b5599&vxp=mtr

Those are what I am using.

Are they re-usable? Or order new ones? *Looks* re-usable.

IIRC,they aren't reusable.Just get new ones and never have a worry about used ones "letting go".

yeah, fan is seized up just like I said. lol. Seen it many many times both on oem fans and aftermarket fans.

Your fuse is probably still fine but you could check it anyways as it only takes a minute to check it. But if you put a new fan in, you will probably be just fine.

Good idea. I edited in an Ebay link above. Same ones as Spal sold me directly the first time. I'll order a set. The well-cooked and 5-year old plastic might break upon removal of the dead fan. Then I'd have to improvise a mount. I'd prefer to have a new set.


Yessir. Again, I appreciate the help. Otherwise, after checking the fluid level, I would not have known what to do next.

Shawn, if you want to spend the money on a good set of fans here is my recommendation.

Flexalite 420 Low-Profile Slim 2-5/8" Dual 12" S-Blade Electric Fans 2500 CFM | eBay

Im using these same fans except the single not the dual and they are awesome fans. Been on the car for 4 years now without a problem. Its got a built in shroud that seals against the radiator with a rubber seal. These things move a ton of air and their quality is awesome second to none. If you can swing the price for the dual its well worth it and again it will keep your temps very cool. You said you have an aftermarket radiator correct? If so these fans fit the radiators just about perfectly all around. You can take measurements to be 100% but many friends have used them and they are a great fit.