Have 1990 ford tempo GL with cooling fan that won't start ,Had thought it was the sensors .Changed bolh of them and still wont start fan at higher than normal temps .Tested the fan and it runs ,My next question is where do they put the relay for the Fan ? And about how much would that fix be .Thanks Chevy -man
Cooling fan relay
Dec 24, 2003
21 Replies
If you want to work on your car yourself, you better spend $15 for a book before you buy anymore unneeded parts. If you have the know-how to test the fan, you should be able to diagnos it with the aid of a book/wiring diagrams. Relays arent very expensive(unless you dont need them)
With the key on, hook a jumper wire between the 2 connections on the temperature switch on the thermostat housing. This should cause the relay to click.
I have had Fords of this era where you can hear the relay clicking under the hood. Others seem to click inside.
In any case, if it's not clicking, then you can be fairly certain that it IS the relay that's causing the trouble.
If your temp switch is working you can rig up any ol' generic relay (rated at least 30 amps) to switch the fan on and off. That would save you having to locate the factory relay if the click test doesn't work.
You should find the relay next to the left headlamp. Bob
its a 1990 car ... i say get a toggle switch and switch it yourself...
Oh stop
hehe its what i would do... or make it so it runs all the time....when ignition is on. who cares? It wont affect the running of the car that much.
if the relay or a wire to or from the relay is shot... it is cheaper and quicker my way... and yes it is a cobble job.. its a 1990 car.. why dump any money into it!
Get a cheap toggle switch somewhere and 10 ft of wire.. 5 dollars..
thats what i would do... if it were a 2002 model i would fix it right and spend the extra money. the car may only last another 1/2 year who knows.. damn thing prolly dont need a fan anyway... as long as he isnt sitting idling while its warm out.
Ken
thinking the tempo is similar to a taurus, i got a 93 taurus and the relay for the fan(and alot of other things all in one box ) is located right under the plastic panel over the radiator.. it cost about $150 at auto zone, and probalby is not the problem with your car.... but you can take off the wires relay and make sure its clean and put it back on and then take off the relay box and scratch where its attached to the car to make sure it get a good ground.....you probably gonna need the shop manual and electrical manual from Helm, Inc..
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they cost about $65 for the shop manual and $35 for the electrical manual.... thats what i needed to get my electrical system working on a taurus...and thats with 40 yrs. of working on cars.. if i was just starting then i probably would not have fixed it not being familar with troubleshooting.....
For the most part Tempos just use a regular relay with the exception of those equipped with a 3.0 engine which used the IRCM like your Taurus. Bob
I ran wires though my door.... never had a problem.. that was on a 93 dodge spriit... i ran the wires to the fog lights... up to the top of the engine compartment.. then down where the door opens./.. i checked for clearences... did not have to use a drill at all.
It is a slop job but the car is old... it may die tomarrow or last a year... if it were me honestly... i wouldnt bother with anything unless you sit in a lot of traffic on hot hot hot days
time....when
thanks bob....
The best thing someone could do for your vehicles is to hide your tools. Bob
================================ You know, after reading the post again it almost sounds like the fan does work. He just doesnt think it comes on soon enough. Im not real familiar with that car but.....Without the AC on, the fan wont come on till about
220' or even higher, right? I know the chevy computer wont turn it on till 230'.
Maybe Santa will TAKE his tools ?
It would be the best thing Santa could do for him. Bob
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