Engine / Cooling Fan

[AHall]

Does the cooling fan run all the time or just when the car is hot? This may be a simple question that I should probably know, but you never realize some things until something seems wrong. I had a slight front end collision with surprisingly minimal damage. Afterwards I noticed the fan not running. I drove the car home about 20 miles with no over heating problem. Maybe the fan was working while I was driving just as it always has. The water pump is spinning just fine and the clutch is spinning but the fan does not when I start the car and watch it run. I purchased another clutch and there is no change.

Maybe I do not have a problem at all????

[demerske]

Your radiator fan runs all the time, it's controlled by your alternator belt. If you are refering to the condensor fan then that is controlled by the condensor fan relay switch. The condensor relay switch is influenced by the engine coolent sensor, vehicle speed sensor and ac fan switch.

So your fan should come on when you turn the ac on during idle. But will turn on/off based on other conditions.

[AHall]

Thanks demerske, but I am referring to the fan that is closest to the engine. It is connected directly to the water pump. The belt that goes around the water pump also goes around the power steering motor and the crankshaft pulley.

My fan does not spin all the time. I forgot to mention I have an all stock 1993 S13 KA24DE.

[biggie]

The mechanical fan doesn't always spin, but does most of the time, it has a clutch on it that can cut it off. Forgot the details of exactly when it does cut off though.

[AHall]

Thanks Biggie. Turns out the dang fan was getting caught on wires running from the A/C fan. So I purchased a fan clutch I did not need.

[demerske]

Hi AHall,

Did you read my first sentence...."Your radiator fan runs all the time, it's controlled by your alternator belt."

[AHall]

Yes I read it. Thanks Demerske. But on my vehicle the water pump and power steering motor are driven by the crank shaft pulley. The alternator is on a separate belt.

Thanks anyways. Problem solved unfortunately I spent the $40 on the fan clutch and did not need it.