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1996 Cutlass Supreme cooling fan issue
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TooTall999
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Oct 17, 2011, 1:07 PM
Post #1 of 11
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1996 Cutlass Supreme cooling fan issue
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I have a 1996 Olds Cutlass Supreme with a cooling fan issue. I noticed the fans weren't coming on when the engine got hot, so I unplugged the coolant sensor. With the sensor disconnected the fans run all the time. I replaced the coolant sensor and now the fans aren't running. What should I check next?
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Oct 17, 2011, 1:14 PM
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Re: 1996 Cutlass Supreme cooling fan issue
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Nothing. That is normal. The fans aren't even programmed to come on until over 225 degrees.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Sidom
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Oct 17, 2011, 2:00 PM
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Re: 1996 Cutlass Supreme cooling fan issue
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When you say the fans aren't coming on....
Do you mean they never coming on & the engine is visibly overheating with the gauge pegging or just come on when the gauge shows "hot" i.e. 3/4 of the way up on the gauge?
(This post was edited by Sidom on Oct 17, 2011, 2:01 PM)
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TooTall999
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Oct 17, 2011, 2:43 PM
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Re: 1996 Cutlass Supreme cooling fan issue
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I haven't done a temperature check, but with the engine warmed up and idling for 20-30 minutes they aren't coming on.
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Sidom
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Oct 17, 2011, 3:12 PM
Post #5 of 11
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Re: 1996 Cutlass Supreme cooling fan issue
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Well 1st you need to determine if you actually have a problem or not.
As HT said, those fans don't come on until around 225°. I've seen those gauges get their readings skewed where the on the gauge in the dash it is showing 3/4s (225) before the fans will come on, which would be normal.
You need to run it & let it get up to a bit past 3/4s & see if the fans come on or hook up a scanner, look at the datastream & verify that it is in fact going past 225° without the fans coming on....
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TooTall999
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Oct 18, 2011, 8:28 AM
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Re: 1996 Cutlass Supreme cooling fan issue
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It gets to about 3/4 or a little over and no fans. I drove it about 10-12 miles without it overheating , but no fans. Everything is warm, thermostat opens,etc, but the fans don't kick on. Another thing, when I first started it after replacing the coolant temp sensor, both fans were on, then they stopped after it warmed up.
(This post was edited by TooTall999 on Oct 18, 2011, 9:40 AM)
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Hammer Time
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Oct 18, 2011, 11:31 AM
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Re: 1996 Cutlass Supreme cooling fan issue
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It's not getting hot enough to need fans. They will come on with A/C or if the CTS is unplugged.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Sidom
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Oct 18, 2011, 11:43 AM
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Re: 1996 Cutlass Supreme cooling fan issue
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Well, you sure don't want to peg you gauge to see if the fans are coming on or not, you could wind up doing more harm than good. The only time the fans are really needed is at idle & slow speeds, this is when there isn't enough air flow across the rad for proper cooling. At higher speeds you will get enough air flow to not overheat BUT its a bad idea driving without fans, you get stuck in traffic or some other situation with no fans & you're screwed...
At this point you need a scanner to look at the datastream. So you can look at the coolant temp & verify it is going past 225°. You need to see what the comp is seeing. If the scanner also has the ability to turn the fans off & on, would great but not necessary. Once it hits 226 you need to see if the comp is ground the cooling fan relay. Depending on what you found there would determine your next step.....
Do the fans come on when you turn on your a/c?
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TooTall999
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Oct 18, 2011, 3:38 PM
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Re: 1996 Cutlass Supreme cooling fan issue
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The fans aren't coming on when the A/C is turned on. The compressor clutch isn't clicking either. Only way to get the fans to run is by unplugging the CTS. The car isn't actually mine, but a friends back and forth to work beater. It has over 300,000 miles on it, and when the A/C quit working, she figured it was just getting too old, but was otherwise running fine. The check engine light does come on when the CTS is unplugged, but goes off when plugged back in.
(This post was edited by TooTall999 on Oct 18, 2011, 3:41 PM)
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Hammer Time
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Oct 18, 2011, 5:37 PM
Post #10 of 11
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Re: 1996 Cutlass Supreme cooling fan issue
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By unplugging the CTS, you have proven that the fans are working and the computer has complete control. That pretty much tells it all if your CTS is accurate which i suspect it is. As you have been advised numerous times, until you use a scan tool and look at the digital temp, you don't have a problem.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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TooTall999
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Oct 19, 2011, 10:40 AM
Post #11 of 11
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Re: 1996 Cutlass Supreme cooling fan issue
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Okay...thanks
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