94 SL2 cooling fan help

i had a similar issue with my 97 sl2...the fan wouldn't run when the engine got hot, but when the a/c was on it would...but it didn't sound right. turned out the motor was going and was spinning enough to make noise. i could stick a tongue depressor size, flimsy stick into the fan, and it wouldn't break it.

i took the motor off, and hooked it directly to a 12 battery (off the car for safety) and the motor spun, but was very weak and easy to stop by hand.

i would suggest getting a new motor.

if you want to test the relay, not for sure about the 94, but my 97's a/c relay was the same as the fan, so i switched them.

one word of caution, the nut that holds the fan on is a reverse nut...righty = loosey.

also, you may want to have the alternator tested at a local parts shop, you may not be getting enough juice to run the fan and the rest of the accessories.. it seems that with Saturn, when one component breaks, the rest will follow.

If I'm reading this Chilton's right, code 23 says... IAT Circuit - Temperature Out of Range Low

It also says... on 91-95 models, a coolant temp sender, as well as a coolant temp sensor are used. Be careful not to confuse the single-wire coolant temp sender used by the instrument cluster temp gauge with the

Make sure that a) the right coolant temp sensor was changed (some models have two), and b) the sensor connector is making proper contact (I've heard of some cases of coolant leaking out of the sensor and corroding/damaging the connector and harness).

When the motors start failing, they fail intermittently, or running weakly. This is because the brushes get to the end of their travel (they wear out) so that they aren't being pushed firmly against the commutator.

If it's normally run in a warm region and there are more than 60,000 miles on the car, then you would be well served to replace the cooling fan motor. It's by far the most common failure item when the fan doesn't run.

By far the most common? No way. Coolant temp sensors are far more common to fail than a fan motor.

I would suspect a fautly CTS. Sometimes even new ones come no good. Check it with an ohm meter.

Um, yeah. I wasn't writing down my entire thoughts.

If there is a known FAN problem (that is, you turn on the Air Conditioner and the fan doesn't spin), then the motor is the most likely problem. Folks tend not to realize that, even though the motor is sealed, it is a DC motor WITH brushes, and those brushes wear out.

It sure would be nice if someone came up with either a brushless DC fan motor (probably too expensive) or a regular DC motor that had easily replaceable brushes (again, probably too expensive - as long as it lasts through the warranty period you're OK).

I'm not sure how well these motors scale to the size of your typical engine fan motor.

"Adapted for the first time for use in the rail industry, the brushless motor is based on leading edge technology used in the civil aviation and defence industries where before conventional motor commutation was carried out using carbon brushes. Due to friction on the copper collector the brushes wear out. Therefore, brushes and collectors need frequent replacement. This requires disassembling the motor and immobilising the train, tram or subway vehicle."

So maybe it would scale ... but is it cost effective, as you pointed out.

-rj

Office copiers use lots of motors - none of them have brushes. Some of them are very powerful. Our computer fans use brushless motors. Yes, it is possible and practical but car makers sometimes take the cheap route.

I looked at the car today and it works now. I found the Intake Air Temp sensor unplugged. I'm not sure why that would keep the fan from running but it works now. Thanks for all your help.

Yeah, once they change over their manufacturing, it would be. The trouble is the motor drive cost is STILL an issue. Then again, think of all the great advantages to it - imagine a steering rack with the power pump in the rack, motor submerged in oil. Can't do that with brushes.

Oh yes, more modern RR equipment uses 3 phase AC induction motors for traction.

Imagine an electric power steering unit that doesn't need any oil. Oh, wait, my ION has one. Never mind.