96 Grand Prix 3.1L over heating - cooling fans not working when ac is off

[BBjones]

1996 Grand Prix se 3.1 L. The car is over heating when the A/C is turned off and the cooling fans do not seem to come on. When the A/C is on the primary cooling fan kicks on and the secondary cooling fan comes on at a temp of approx 210 as read from the dash board. I have changed cooling fan relays 1 and 2, Thermostat and Coolant Temp Sending Unit (as far as I can tell the 3.1 only has one temp sensor located where the upper radiator hose connects to the engine and does not have anothor one on the radiator?). Any ideas about what might be causing the cooling fans not to function when the A/C is off. Any advice is appreciated.

[Ripn12s]

Im pretty sure that the correct temp for the fans to come on at. What temps are u seeing when "overheating".

[BBjones]

with the a/c off it has reached temps of 230. I have watched it and have not seen the fans kick on when the a/c is off

[kilroypr]

Something like that happend to me and I have a 94 GP SE. The heat gun would say it was 235 and no fan would start. I replaced the low level coolant sensor along with the temp sending unit and that heal the problem. With the temp sending unint alone did not worked.

[tealse]

Originally Posted by BBjones

1996 Grand Prix se 3.1 L. The car is over heating when the A/C is turned off and the cooling fans do not seem to come on. When the A/C is on the primary cooling fan kicks on and the secondary cooling fan comes on at a temp of approx 210 as read from the dash board. I have changed cooling fan relays 1 and 2, Thermostat and Coolant Temp Sending Unit (as far as I can tell the 3.1 only has one temp sensor located where the upper radiator hose connects to the engine and does not have anothor one on the radiator?). Any ideas about what might be causing the cooling fans not to function when the A/C is off. Any advice is appreciated.

I am having the same problem with my 95..I will try the low coolant sensor . But where are the relays?? I can't find them..I will let you know how the low coolant sensor works..

[BBjones]

the relays on the 1996 are in the engine compartment under the hood on right in fornt of the passenger side shock tower in a black fuse box. they are marked fan 1 and fan 2

[tealse]

Originally Posted by BBjones

the relays on the 1996 are in the engine compartment under the hood on right in fornt of the passenger side shock tower in a black fuse box. they are marked fan 1 and fan 2

Cool thanks I found them..These things are 25$ a pop ..I changed them and still no luck.I am gonna try the water pump next......

[threedd97]

I'm having a similar problem with my '98 GP GT. If my AC is on my temps stay normal, if not, 10 minutes of driving knocks it around 200-230. I just changed my oil, oil filter and air filter last week. My coolant is fine and it's passing through the tubes. Please help. My water pump is brand new, not even a year old and the temp sensor or temp valve (not sure which, not too educated on the engine department) is vaccuumed (had it done at the mechanics because after the water pump installation I had serious temp. problems). All that department is fine. Could it be something with my temp sensor going bad? I have a minor oil leak at the valve head covers/gasket. Not sure if that could be the source.