1996 Regal 3.8 Fan Trouble

[Mmatto99]

On my Regal it has two fans the one on the right comes on but i never see the left one coming on. When is the 2nd one supposed to come on. Also can it be the temp. control switch. Thanks

[raybuick]

Hey, just to try and help, the secondary fan on the left side goes on only as the temperature reaches a higher extreme. There should be 2 identical relays in the fuse box under hood on left side. You could unplug and test direct batterry to the fan or when other fan kicks in pull right side relay and test left side relay in its slot.

[kalafre]

Originally Posted by Mmatto99

On my Regal it has two fans the one on the right comes on but i never see the left one coming on. When is the 2nd one supposed to come on. Also can it be the temp. control switch. Thanks

I believe that both fans will (should) come on with the a/c running also.

[PFJ5K]

On a 92 with the older (series I) 3.8 engine both fans always ran together. The fans could run at low or high speed but always ran at the same time. 1996 was the first year of the series II engine and the fans may be set up differently, but maybe not.

You may have a bad relay or a bad fan.

[maurycy]

I have the same problem. The right fan kicks in when the A/C is on and the other stays off. I was able to get the right fan to work but only once and I was not able to figure it out what actually turned it on. Anybody knows if both fans shouldn't be on when the temp gauge is almost at the last white mark?

Maurycy

[nuclearjack]

I have a 96 regal 3.8 and If by left you mean when you are standing in front of the hood. I noticed the same thing. I was told on this forum or another that it will only come on when the A/C is on and it is hot enough. I have also noticed that my cars usual temp when driving is at the 1/4 mark. when I stop for traffic or idle while parked it climbs to 1/2. The dealer flushed the coolant and supposedly put in a new thermostat but then said it was normal operation. The other day while waiting for someone at the mall I noticed that the temp had climbed to 1/2 so I got out and opened the hood. the fan on the right wasnt moving and the one on the left would run for 10 seconds then turn off. 30 seconds later it would start again for 10 seconds and turn off. it repeated this cycle for as long as I stood thier

[nuclearjack]

mmm I cant edit my message. I meant to say the fan on drivers side doesnt move for me. It is the one that requires high temp and a/c on

[maurycy]

For me, when I stand in the front of the car, the right fan works and the left one (driver side) does not. My normal temp is at the 1/4 mark, but in the very slow traffic it gets to 3/4 (last white mark). It never overheated on me and I think that coolant flush is due, but I am a little worried about the sensor reaching last white mark. Even with such a high temperature, when I look under the hood, the fan is still and does not move. I have seen it working once or twice, so I assume it is not bad. I have an appointment with mechanic setup for next week and maybe he will tell me if that's normal or not.

[nuclearjack]

how long did you wait for the fan to move??? I have never seen my car get past the 1/2 mark luckly. I would defintely get the dealer to check the fan and the sensors

[maurycy]

I can't really tell when or why the right fan turns on. It does not follow any rules. I have just seen it working twice. I will flush the coolant and see if this helps. If not, I will have the mechanic check it out.