why would your cooling fans stop working right after you get your battery changed?

[wasssup]

Looks like my fans aren't coming on, causing my radiator to leak coolant...this happened RIGHT AFTER I had my battery changed.

Other than checking the fuses, is there anything else I should be looking for?

 

[OVERKILL]

possible ground cable and/or wiring

 

[Zenmervolt]

Um, fans not coming on would not cause the radiator to leak. It would only leak if you were negligent and did not pay attention to the temperature guage and ended up letting your car overheat. Check the fuses and relays, and the thermoswitches.

ZV

 

[wasssup]

ZV: My car never overheated (at least the temp guage never moved from the middle position). Ever.

I filled my coolant reservoir before leaving work today (50 miles away), and stopped by a gas station next to my house to get gas. I was speaking to the attendant about this and he asked me to pop my hood and start my engine, which I did; he pointed to my fans, which weren't coming on, and stated that was causing the coolant to overheat and bubble out of the radiator. The reservoir still had coolant left in it, but it was on "low" whereas it was on "high" when I left work after filling it up.

 

[GeekDrew]

Fans do not necessarily always run while the engine is on. The cooling fans on my car start whenever the sensors indicate sufficient heat (and whether the car is running or not).

As for temperature gauges... I think that they're less reliable than most politicians. I've seen 3 cars overheat without the temperature gauge indicating that.

If the fans aren't running at all, then as ZV said, check the fuses, relays, etc.

What kind of car is it?

 

[wasssup]

man I've only slept 9 hours in the last two days...couldn't sleep because I was busy thinking about this...

it's a 99 civic ex..

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: wasssup
ZV: My car never overheated (at least the temp guage never moved from the middle position). Ever.

I filled my coolant reservoir before leaving work today (50 miles away), and stopped by a gas station next to my house to get gas. I was speaking to the attendant about this and he asked me to pop my hood and start my engine, which I did; he pointed to my fans, which weren't coming on, and stated that was causing the coolant to overheat and bubble out of the radiator. The reservoir still had coolant left in it, but it was on "low" whereas it was on "high" when I left work after filling it up.

The person you talked to at the station is an idiot.

It sounds like you simply overfilled the system. Just watch it. You will know if your fans are not comming on the moment you sit in traffic for a few minutes.

 

[imported_Phil]

Originally posted by: Eli

Originally posted by: wasssup
ZV: My car never overheated (at least the temp guage never moved from the middle position). Ever.

I filled my coolant reservoir before leaving work today (50 miles away), and stopped by a gas station next to my house to get gas. I was speaking to the attendant about this and he asked me to pop my hood and start my engine, which I did; he pointed to my fans, which weren't coming on, and stated that was causing the coolant to overheat and bubble out of the radiator. The reservoir still had coolant left in it, but it was on "low" whereas it was on "high" when I left work after filling it up.

The person you talked to at the station is an idiot.

It sounds like you simply overfilled the system. Just watch it. You will know if your fans are not comming on the moment you sit in traffic for a few minutes.

Er, if it's gone from High to Low once heated up, then there's something wrong. I could understand it going Low to High, but not the other way around.

 

[wasssup]

EFF.

Turned the car on, let it sit idle and warm up, it's definitely the radiator. Coolant is just seeping out of there (i didn't notice the cooling fan turn on either).

I don't really feel like spending any money on getting this fixed..I dunno..i'm thinking of just trading it in for a new 07 Camry this weekend.

 

[j00fek]

Originally posted by: OVERKILL
possible ground cable and/or wiring

:thumbsup:

 

[GeekDrew]

Originally posted by: wasssup
EFF.

Turned the car on, let it sit idle and warm up, it's definitely the radiator. Coolant is just seeping out of there (i didn't notice the cooling fan turn on either).

I don't really feel like spending any money on getting this fixed..I dunno..i'm thinking of just trading it in for a new 07 Camry this weekend.

Seeping out of *where*? Out of the overflow vent/tube? Out of the fill cap?

An 07 Camry is an interesting alternative to fixing a radiator or electrical problem.

 

[wasssup]

GeekDrew: all I needed was an excuse...

umm I don't know...lemme start the car again and take pics...

 

[AMCRambler]

I'd say if the temp guage was reading ok, then you're fine. Check your fuses and make sure none are burned out. Not sure if the cooling fans have a fuse in the under hood fuse block or if it's in the cabin.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: wasssup
ZV: My car never overheated (at least the temp guage never moved from the middle position). Ever.

I filled my coolant reservoir before leaving work today (50 miles away), and stopped by a gas station next to my house to get gas. I was speaking to the attendant about this and he asked me to pop my hood and start my engine, which I did; he pointed to my fans, which weren't coming on, and stated that was causing the coolant to overheat and bubble out of the radiator. The reservoir still had coolant left in it, but it was on "low" whereas it was on "high" when I left work after filling it up.

If the coolant overheated, the needle was in the red zone on the temperature guage or the guage is broken. Period.

Otherwise, there is an un-related leak in the cooling system that is causing you to lose coolant.

Coolant does not overheat without the engine overheating. Ever.

Also, fans only come on at pre-set temperatures. They do not run continuously (in fact, at speeds over approximately 30 mph, the fans should be off because they actually begin to impede airflow at that speed and above if they are running). I can sit for 10-15 minutes in my 951 before the coolant heats up enough to trigger the fans; this is normal.

ZV

 

[wasssup]

AMCRambler: it's in the cabin by the battery...the fuse looked fine, wasn't sure about the relay. I went to the stealership to buy one this morning ($12.50) because the local auto shops claim they didn't have it. Popped it in, and sitting idle on a 60F morning the cooling fan didn't turn on yet.

Here are pics...it's coming out of the "sponge" part from what I can tell, heh. Could this just be due to me overfilling the resevoir?

pic1
pic2
pic3

 

[wasssup]

ZV: ah ok, thanks. Looks like I wasted $12.50 on a relay I had absolutely no need for...oh well.

 

[imported_Phil]

Originally posted by: wasssup
AMCRambler: it's in the cabin by the battery...the fuse looked fine, wasn't sure about the relay. I went to the stealership to buy one this morning ($12.50) because the local auto shops claim they didn't have it. Popped it in, and sitting idle on a 60F morning the cooling fan didn't turn on yet.

Here are pics...it's coming out of the "sponge" part from what I can tell, heh. Could this just be due to me overfilling the resevoir?

pic1
pic2
pic3

It's a '99 and the engine bay looks like that? Damn, my 15-year-old Citroen has a cleaner engine.

 

[wasssup]

Phil: yeah...
It was squeaky clean until I started this job, driving 600 miles/week in all types of weather seems to do that.

*edit* actually to be honest with you, that white stuff around the radiator didn't really show up until I noticed the leaking coolant is splashing around.

 

[imported_Phil]

Originally posted by: wasssup
Phil: yeah...
It was squeaky clean until I started this job, driving 600 miles/week in all types of weather seems to do that.

You really should clean the salty crap from the hoses and HT leads...

 

[AdamK47]

Originally posted by: wasssup
Phil: yeah...
It was squeaky clean until I started this job, driving 600 miles/week in all types of weather seems to do that.

*edit* actually to be honest with you, that white stuff around the radiator didn't really show up until I noticed the leaking coolant is splashing around.

It's still hard to tell where it's coming from by looking at the pictures. But from what I can see it's coming from that hose. It could be as simple as the hose getting bumped loose when installing the battery.

 

[SuperSix]

Turning on your A/C should start at least one of the fans.

I would also check grounds, connectors, fuses, etc. Just because a fuse "looks" good, doesn't mean it is, use an ohmmeter to check it.

From the looks of your radiator, it looks like the top tank seals is gone,you can have it pressure tested at a local auto shop.

 

[wasssup]

Well I went to a mechanic today, and a radiator repair shop, who both told me there was no leak and that I just overfilled the resevoir. They asked me to wash my engine bay to see where the leak (if any) was coming from. So...spraying water in my engine bay won't screw anything up?

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: wasssup
Well I went to a mechanic today, and a radiator repair shop, who both told me there was no leak and that I just overfilled the resevoir. They asked me to wash my engine bay to see where the leak (if any) was coming from. So...spraying water in my engine bay won't screw anything up?

cover up the electric parts. soften up the grime with some orange based cleaner. use a scrub brush. don't use a high pressure nozzle.

 

[Kelvrick]

Originally posted by: wasssup
Well I went to a mechanic today, and a radiator repair shop, who both told me there was no leak and that I just overfilled the resevoir. They asked me to wash my engine bay to see where the leak (if any) was coming from. So...spraying water in my engine bay won't screw anything up?

You should check for any uncovered wires going around and electrical tape them up.

 

[wasssup]

Thanks guys. I'll try to get this done on Saturday and keep you guys updated (in case anyone other than me cares ).