Cooling Fan sensor.....please read! Baffled!

[diecast92]

I have searched the forums and can't find anything specifically related to this topic. I have a 1992 Camaro RS with a 5.0 V8 and automatic transmission. The cooling fan stopped kicking on when the engine would get hot, but works fine if you turn the air conditioner on. After searching the forums, I changed the cooling fan sensor located on the passenger side of the engine block. Started the car and let it get up to temp and the cooling fan kicked on all by itself when the engine got hot! I drove the car for most of the evening without an issue. I assumed that was the problem. I got in the car the next day and the same thing is happening.....cooling fan will not kick on by itself but will turn on with the air conditioner. I double checked the cooling fan sensor connector and wiring and it's fine. I ran a ground wire to the fan sensor connector and the fan turns on. Any other thoughts on what could be wrong? Is there a way to test the cooling fan sensor to ensure I didn't get a bad one from the parts store?

PLEASE HELP!

[inafogg]

are you sure you replaced the right sensor??
the engine coolant temp. sensor (ect)is located by the thermostat housing.
you dont want to use any teflon tape on the threads.
it does sound like a bad sensor.some after market sensors take longer(higher temp)before it turns on the fan,how hot does the guage read when its overheating

[diecast92]

Originally Posted by inafogg

are you sure you replaced the right sensor??
the engine coolant temp. sensor (ect)is located by the thermostat housing.
you dont want to use any teflon tape on the threads.
it does sound like a bad sensor.some after market sensors take longer(higher temp)before it turns on the fan,how hot does the guage read when its overheating

I may have called it the wrong sensor, but I replaced the sensor that turns the fan on and is located on the passenger side of the block between the #6 and #8 cylinders. I did not use any teflon tape on the install. The temp guage got as high as 260 before I turned the air conditioning on to activate the cooling fan. After that, it cools right down to 220 and stays there. Although the factory guage read 260, the radiator was not boiling over into the overflow tank. Any thoughts?

[inafogg]

is this the 1 you replaced?

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/rep...erature+Sensor

[diecast92]

Originally Posted by inafogg

is this the 1 you replaced?

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/rep...erature+Sensor

No, that is not the one I replaced. This is the one I replaced:
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/par...mString=search

[inafogg]

you need to replace the ECT sensor thats the 1 that turns fan on/off by temp.
i think disconnecting the sensor automaticly turns fan on
but you can check voltage at fan when hot to verify sensors bad
but not much fun hot!!!

[diecast92]

Originally Posted by inafogg

you need to replace the ECT sensor thats the 1 that turns fan on/off by temp.
i think disconnecting the sensor automaticly turns fan on
but you can check voltage at fan when hot to verify sensors bad
but not much fun hot!!!

Which sensor is the ECT sensor? Is it the one next to the thermostat?

[inafogg]

yes

[diecast92]

Originally Posted by inafogg

yes

OK! I will try and buy one tonight and get it put in. I'll let you know! Thanks for the information! I do appreciate it.

[diecast92]

Originally Posted by diecast92

OK! I will try and buy one tonight and get it put in. I'll let you know! Thanks for the information! I do appreciate it.

That was it! Thank you INAFOG! I appreciate you helping me out !

[inafogg]

glad to help