I have a 1996 Saturn SL1 and a man told me I have to change the relay for the cooling fan. I went to Advanced and got the relay. Got under the hood, pulled the old relay out and plugged the new relay in (while the car was running), but it hasnt made any difference. He said the reason he knew the relay needs to be switched is because it was extremely hot to the touch. I was wondering if there is some special step to the replacement of the relay that I failed to perform?
Perhaps, The relay plug needs to plug in a certain way? (positive and negative) Thecar need to be off? the battery unplugged?
Help!!!
When I'm in stop and go traffic the car starts to overheat badly because the cooling fan isnt working. Could it be the big green fuse for the cooling fan?
2006-09-29 04:12:48 · 6 answers · asked by Anne E 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
You shouldn't switch out the relay with the car running. Engine should be off. As long as there was not current running through the relay when you switched it out it should be fine, but it's not recommended to switch out any electrical parts with the car running because it could damage the part or worse, damage some other electrical component.
It sounds like your cooling fans aren't working. It's probably a bad cooling fan motor and you need to get a new one. They sell generic cooling fans at any good parts store that you can mount to your radiator.
The relay is hot because it's being "switched" on and electricity is running through it but it's not being drawing by the fan motor.
To test the cooling fan, unplug the cooling fan and you'll need something to connect up the fan directly to the battery. If you connect it straight to the battery it should turn on. If not, then the fan is definitely not working. (Careful the fan will start the instant you connect it if it is working) Make sure cooling fans are working before going after the relay again.
2006-09-29 04:37:02 · answer #1 · answered by hsueh010 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Relays are made to fit only one way and each type has a specific power rating. A hot relay could also be from a short in the wiring to the fan or a bad fan itself. It would be best to start at the fan and work backwards toward the relay with a little help from a wiring diagram and familiarity of automotive electrical systems.
2006-09-29 05:50:28 · answer #2 · answered by Lab 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know much about the 1996 Saturn SL1, but I do know
that the Toyota Corolla 1.6L has the same type of relay switch
to control the cooling fan. The relay switch operates different
from other types of cars in that it switches from negative to
positive. Have yours checked whether the relay switch operates
just the opposite poles.
2006-09-29 04:24:25 · answer #3 · answered by steplow33 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
attempt employing an ohm meter and examine the cord's going to the fan motor sounds such as you have a broken cord or start up your motor vehicle and whilst it heats as much as working temparature use a volt meter examine for skill and floor on the fan and run it lower back till you detect the concern examine to be certain if the wiring connector to the fan isn't burnt or bent prongs. i might examine for skill and floor from there first. stable luck despite you do do not hack the wiring and put in a toggle change
2016-10-18 04:50:33 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
sounds like you have a bad fan motor,or bad sending unit. never plug in anything while you engine is running. yes check you fan fuse.if your fan motor went bad the fuse would blow to protect your circuitry,and prevent fire.
2006-09-29 04:38:01 · answer #5 · answered by DASH 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are 2 other things that it might be.The temp. sensor could be bad.The fan motor itself could be the problem.There is probably nothing wrong with the relay.Check the fuse.
2006-09-29 04:26:18 · answer #6 · answered by dutch 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋