1997 Pontiac Sunfire 2.2 Automatic Fan will not come on.

[doug2060]

Hello, My 97 2.2 Sunfire is running hot. Not too hot but it gets hot enough to force the coolant out around the cap. It seems the fan is not coming on when it gets hot. I can turn the AC on and it runs cool but still the temp edges up a bit but cooler than without the AC on. When I turn the AC off the car will slowly start getting hot. As long as I'm moving it will stay pretty stable but once stopped it gets hot and the fan doesn't come on. I've replaced the temp sending unit. The relays check out. The fan motor tests good. Any thoughts?

Note: In recent months the car has done this weird thing where the Theft system light is coming on but disappears once the car is turned off and restarted. Could this be a PCM issue?

[ChevyMan99]

Originally Posted by doug2060

Hello, My 97 2.2 Sunfire is running hot. Not too hot but it gets hot enough to force the coolant out around the cap. It seems the fan is not coming on when it gets hot. I can turn the AC on and it runs cool but still the temp edges up a bit but cooler than without the AC on. When I turn the AC off the car will slowly start getting hot. As long as I'm moving it will stay pretty stable but once stopped it gets hot and the fan doesn't come on. I've replaced the temp sending unit. The relays check out. The fan motor tests good. Any thoughts?

Note: In recent months the car has done this weird thing where the Theft system light is coming on but disappears once the car is turned off and restarted. Could this be a PCM issue?

Check out this vid...if you havent seen this guy yet, he's great. Hope this helps!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUuK5t-9fiQ

[doug2060]

Originally Posted by ChevyMan99

Check out this vid...if you havent seen this guy yet, he's great. Hope this helps!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUuK5t-9fiQ

Thank you for the reply. Unfortunately the video is not help as I've done all that. Fan runs, Sending unit works (Replaced anyways as the connector was cracked), and the relay checks out.

The car has a salvage title and was wrecked severely in the front at one time before I owned it. It does weird things. The oil light comes on at idle despite being contradicted by test guage even with replacement sending unit. The recent issues with the theft system light coming on and the occassional rough idle and dying at stops are leading me to the computer itself. I know from experience it's almost never the problem. I can't find any damaged wires. All grounds check out. Maybe I'm missing something...

Does anyone know where the computer is on this? I'm thinking it's in the passenger side wheel well or should I be looking under the glove box?

[ChevyMan99]

Originally Posted by doug2060

Thank you for the reply. Unfortunately the video is not help as I've done all that. Fan runs, Sending unit works (Replaced anyways as the connector was cracked), and the relay checks out.

The car has a salvage title and was wrecked severely in the front at one time before I owned it. It does weird things. The oil light comes on at idle despite being contradicted by test guage even with replacement sending unit. The recent issues with the theft system light coming on and the occassional rough idle and dying at stops are leading me to the computer itself. I know from experience it's almost never the problem. I can't find any damaged wires. All grounds check out. Maybe I'm missing something...

Does anyone know where the computer is on this? I'm thinking it's in the passenger side wheel well or should I be looking under the glove box?

Sorry I couldn't be of more help. This is straight from my Haynes manual - your model year applies. The PCM is located below the right front corner of the engine compartment, inside the right front fender. I can give the removal instructions of you need that too.

[doug2060]

Originally Posted by ChevyMan99

Sorry I couldn't be of more help. This is straight from my Haynes manual - your model year applies. The PCM is located below the right front corner of the engine compartment, inside the right front fender. I can give the removal instructions of you need that too.

Thank you, I plan on checking it out tomorrow. I'm hoping to get in there and find it's something simple but knowing my luck it won't be. It should be easy to get to. Thanks.