cooling system trouble...please help

[93civicracer]

Alright so since I've wired up the vtec which is working fine I started having radiator fan issues. The fan doesn't come on at all now, and I've checked all connections they're good so I think it could be either the motor or the relay.

And another thing, now when I start the car, there is a little shock on the transmission ground. The part where it's grounded to the frame, it shocks right there when you start the engine. And now, everytime I rev hard, when it settles back down to idle it idles really low at like 400-500 and the car rattles from it. Any ideas on that radiator fan not coming on and the shock at the ground?


The fan used to come on right when you turn the key before you even start the engine.

 

[LS_VTEC]

That is odd. Your radiator fan should only come on when the coolant temp. sensor reads a specific (or higher than specified) temperature. Usually comes on when stopped and engine is hot. Could be the fan clutch. Try jumping the relay with a paper clip and see if the fan actually comes on. If it does not come on, the fan clutch / motor will need to be replaced. Check to make sure all wiring is present and connected properly, as you said before it all checked out. Coolant temp. sensor can also cause this, but you would notice the engine temp. gauge in the cluster rising in this situation. Depending on whether it is stuck closed, or stuck open. Honestly, try jumping the relay and see if the fan is coming on. If it does not, again, it could possibly be a faulty fan switch among other things. Diagnosing the problem will fix your problem quicker and properly.

 

[93civicracer]

I jumped it and it works when you jump it with a paperclip. But I don't know what's wrong I've tried 3 different relays on it. The temp. gauge went up, but it went up accordingly so I don't know what to do next what should I do? Thanks a lot!

 

[NXTCeg]

it wouldn't hurt to take the grounds loose and clean them up then make sure they are tight. I've seen bad grounds do strange things. Just pull it off, clean the mounting area with some sandpaper and tighten them back. Make sure the ground to the p/s pump and or v/c are good as well.

 

[LS_VTEC]

I jumped it and it works when you jump it with a paperclip. But I don't know what's wrong I've tried 3 different relays on it. The temp. gauge went up, but it went up accordingly so I don't know what to do next what should I do? Thanks a lot!

It is probably not the relay. It seems like the fan switch is bad. Can almost guarantee it. replace the fan switch and thank me later.

 

[93civicracer]

Forgive me for this...but what/where is the fan switch? I've been just jumping it with the paper clip before I go anywhere, then pop the hood and remove it when I get there. And it always does that the fan's always on anyway, even when it was working on its own the thing came on as soon as I turned the key, before starting the engine. Either way I'm happy it works now the valve cover's not at all hot anymore when I pop the hood even after running it hard and that vtec scream is just awesome along with the extra "uumph" it gets up noticeably faster.

Beside the point I think I have a new problem now...Right after I smashed it up to 3rd then I stopped at a light. Then I took off normally, and once I got up to like 60 mph there was this nasty ass smell it wasn't coolant, there's no smoke, and when I give it a certain amount of throttle it starts slowing down, then I gotta floor it to get back up to speed. Then the smell went away, and it started running great again, then messed up again like that, and now it's running fine. Weird my car always does something. I'm gonna sell it as soon as possible and find me another Civic in better condition even though I HATE I mean absolutely HATE to see that thing gone after swapping it for my first time.

 

[93civicracer]

Alright..so I've been jumping the fan with a paperclip before I go everywhere, then removing the paperclip after I get there, all the time. I've burnt 2 of them, and now I can't even jump the fan. Is there something up with the fan motor now? I've got the fan switch just gotta put it on later, and I'm eventually gonna replace the whole cooling system radiator, fan, thermostat, water pump, all new hoses and clamps, brand new IACV, etc.

 

[93civicracer]

bump, any help?

To make that post short: I jumped the fan relay with paperclips, burnt 2 of them out, and now when I put in the paper clip the fan doesn't come on, at all. Fan motor? What could this be?

 

[halfas(t)sed_hatch]

may be the water temp sensor? i would of just hard wired a switch form the auto shop to run the fan untill finding the real problem. probably burnt ur fan motor up it gettin constant juice isnt good, plus spikes in voltage from high rpm not good. the whole idle falling so low my car does it when im low on oil haha dont no if your having the same problem sorry i couldnt be more help

 

[93civicracer]

I'm not sure. I have the sensor, not installed. When I was jumping it I only had it on while I was driving (with a lot of redline vtec pulls), could that have fried the fan motor?

I'm thinking about actually upgrading the cooling system rather than just replacing it. Like with a tuned Mugen thermostat, Spoon radiator, aftermarket performance parts for the cooling system since that's giving me the most problems. Along with the ignition because since the car broke down, it seems like it's just not getting spark.

I always check my oil every like few days it's good.

 

[Lee7pcNOOb]

I have my radiator fan jumped 24/7 because im still using my stock ex radiator with a b16 it wont hurt it, you dont have to take the paper clip in and out. test you ground wire maybe there is a short?