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lupe zavala Posted on Nov 11, 2013
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I have a 2004 chevy malibu which overheats due to the fans not coming on..i checked the actuall fans and they do come on..checked relays and coolant temp sitch and its good

When I turn on the ac both fans do come on on high..when I disconnect the relay fan and put it back in place it clicks and the fans come on low

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Kianoosh Meratinia

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  • Chevrolet Expert 163 Answers
  • Posted on Nov 12, 2013
Kianoosh Meratinia
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If your fans come on with ac on,then your fans are OK ,coolant temp sensor, is bad,need to be changed,(that is how fan relay get it's ground,or it gets direct ground when you turn the AC on)
so if it comes on with AC on,your fans and relays are good
you can run the car with ac on till you fix the problem(it only hurts your gas millage)

5 Related Answers

Anonymous

  • 702 Answers
  • Posted on Sep 27, 2008

SOURCE: Cooling fan wont work

The water temp sensor is located near the thermostat housing. This sensor is what tells the ECM to turn the fan on/off. The water temp sending unit is located near the same area. You know you have the correct sensor is because the water temp sensor has a 2 prong plug. The water temp sending unit only has 1 prong.

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Anonymous

  • 94 Answers
  • Posted on Jan 28, 2009

SOURCE: cooling fans on 2001 chevy malibu will not come on unless ac on

the relays control circuit is grounded by ECM (computer) . to check this make sure the is hot enough for the fans to be commanded on by computer and check to see if you have voltage at relay and it has ground from computer . you may need ECM.
good luck

Anonymous

  • 2317 Answers
  • Posted on May 16, 2010

SOURCE: Electric Radiator Fan Does Not Come On

DTC P0480 - COOLING FAN CIRCUIT

Circuit Description

The cooling fan is controlled by PCM through the fan relay based on inputs from ECT sensor, IAT sensor, A/C selector switch, A/C refrigerant pressure switch and vehicle speed sensor. PCM controls cooling fan by grounding cooling fan control circuit which turns on cooling fan relay.

The fan relay will be commanded on when ECT reaches 223°F (106°C) or greater, A/C is requested or vehicle speed is less than 38 MPH. Cooling fan relay will also be commanded on regardless of vehicle speed when a DTC is set requesting cooling fan to be on, ECT is 304°F (151°C) or greater, or A/C refrigerant pressure is high. Cooling fan may also be commanded on when engine is not running, on certain conditions.

Conditions for setting DTC:

Battery voltage greater than 9.5 volts.

Cooling fan fault line detects a malfunction for 6 seconds.

1. Check the cooling system. Ensure coolant level and belt tension are correct. Adjust/repair as necessary. After repairs, go to step 23). If no adjustment or repairs were required, go to next step.

2. Turn ignition on, with engine off. Using scan tool, check if cooling fan is operating with ECT at less than 209°F (98°C). If cooling fan is off, go to next step. If cooling fan is on, go to step 4).

3. Command cooling fan relay on. If cooling fan operates, go to step 23). If cooling fan does not operate, go to step 5).

4. Turn ignition off. Disconnect PCM harness connector. If cooling fan turns off, go to step 23). If cooling fan does not turn off, go to step 6).

5. Disconnect cooling fan relay harness connector. Using a test light connected to ground, probe battery feed circuits in relay harness connector. If test light illuminates on both terminals, go to step 7). If test light does not illuminate on both terminals, go to step .

6. Disconnect cooling fan relay harness connector. With test light connected to ground, probe battery feed circuit in relay harness connector. If test light illuminates, go to step 9). If test light does not illuminate, go to step 10).

7. Connect a jumper wire between cooling fan relay battery feed and cooling fan battery feed circuit. If cooling fan operates, go to step 11). If cooling fan does not operate, go to step 12).

8. Repair open in battery feed circuit. After repairs, go to step 23).

9. Repair short to voltage in cooling fan battery feed circuit. After repairs, go to step 23).

10. Connect test light battery voltage and probe cooling fan control circuit. If test light illuminates, go to step 13). If test light does not illuminate, go to step 21).

11. Connect test light to battery voltage and probe cooling fan control circuit. Using scan tool, command cooling fan on. If test light illuminates, go to step 14). If test light does not illuminate, go to step 15).

12. With jumper wire still connected, disconnect cooling fan harness connector. Using test light connected to ground, probe cooling fan battery feed circuit. If test light illuminates, go to step 16). If test light does not illuminate, go to step 17).

13. Repair short to ground in cooling fan control circuit. After repairs, go to step 23).

14. Check terminals to cooling fan relay. Repair as necessary. After repairs, go to step 23). If terminals are okay, go to step 21).

15. Check cooling fan control circuit for open or poor connection. Repair as necessary. After repairs, go to step 23). If circuit or connection is okay, go to step 22).

16. Connect test light to battery voltage and probe cooling fan ground circuit. If test light illuminates, go to step 1. If test light does not illuminate, go to step 19).

17. Repair open or poor connection in cooling fan ignition feed circuit. After repairs, go to step 23).

18. Check for poor connections at cooling fan harness connector. Repair as necessary. After repairs, go to step 23). If connections are okay, go to step 20).

19. Repair open or poor connection in cooling fan ground circuit. After repairs, go to step 23).

20. Replace cooling fan motor. After replacing cooling and motor, go step 23).

21. Replace cooling fan relay. After replacing relay, go to step 23).

22. Replace PCM. Program replacement PCM using required equipment. After replacing PCM, go to next step.

23. Turn ignition on, with engine off. Command cooling fan on. If cooling fan operates, system is okay. If cooling fan does not operate, repeat step 1).

Anonymous

  • 454 Answers
  • Posted on Dec 27, 2010

SOURCE: car overheats. i unplugged temp sensor and fans

Hello Guest and thank you for asking your question, on Fixya.

Here is a simple process that will walk you through a few steps that will pinpoint the overheating problem on your 2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, without even using any tools. It has helped millions of people, and I am certain that it will help you, because I wrote it for people like you. So here is the link to:
How to diagnose your overheating 2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo

Anyways if that helps you any little bit, then feel free to follow me on Twitter. That one is at: twitter.com/acoates23234

Thanks for the vote, and good luck!

Anonymous

  • 4399 Answers
  • Posted on Sep 11, 2011

SOURCE: i had malibu (chevy) overheats

Thanks for choosing FixYa and welcome to the site. You may have a bad fan. It is normal for the fan to kick on when the a/c is used, although the speed should be the same. You may want to check other possible issues also, like your coolant cap and fluid levels. A bad thermostat or water pump can also cause overheating. If the fan isn't at full speed though, check your wiring first. The connection may just need cleaned. Inspect the power going to the fan with a wiring schematic to see if there is a loss in power. Clean your connections and check the wiring. A bad head gasket or water pump inpellar can also cause overheating.

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Cooling fans on 2001 chevy malibu will not come on unless ac on

the relays control circuit is grounded by ECM (computer) . to check this make sure the is hot enough for the fans to be commanded on by computer and check to see if you have voltage at relay and it has ground from computer . you may need ECM.
good luck
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