1984 Cooling Fan Issue

[pinstripebob]

Hi, I bought myself (or rather "stole" for the price of -$500) a 1984 'Vette with a 4+3 manual backing a Crossfire. After getting it home, I promptly realized that the cooling fan wasn't coming on. I did a little troubleshooting, and replaced the relay with a brand new Delco unit. I checked the fuse and all was well. The fan works when I jump the 2 wires at the relay, but when the A/C is on, or when the coolant temp gets high (and it does), the fan won't turn on. I've done some searching on the Internet, and snagged a Haynes manual and went through it's steps, but haven't been able to figure it out. The best I can come up with is either a bad ground somewhere, or bad connections at the PCM. Any help would be great, thanks!

Also, the dang thing didn't come with a user manual. Anyone know where I can get a free digital copy off the Internet?

[ChuckG]

Have you checked the fan temp switch on the block? If it works when the A/C overrides the switch, I'd blame the switch or its wiring. Is it Z51-equipped? Some years (like mine) come with a second fan with that option.

The Owner's manual won't have this information, but a DVD of the whole shop manual should be about $25 on eBay. I love mine.

[pinstripebob]

No the fan doesn't come on when the A/C is on, otherwise I'd just turn that on when it got hot. It's really annoying since it's been so hot and using the A/C just makes it heat up faster, so I can only use it when I'm moving. I did some more searching and found out that on the '84s, the fan isn't computer controlled, the relay just gets flipped on by either the temp switch on the passenger cylinder head, or by the A/C. It's such a simple setup I don't get why it doesn't work. It does have the Z51 package, but I'm pretty sure it only has 1 fan.

As a side note, someone before me's done their handy work to the car, and there's a connector behind the A/C compressor that's taped up. It's just 1 wire, and it's a reddish color, so I'm inclined to think it's not a ground. I don't have a multimeter with me, otherwise I'd check voltage there.

[ChuckG]

Sounds like you have a wiring problem then.

[Z51JEFF]

Id check the fan switch.I had an 84 years ago and the switch died.

[ken mohr]

Originally Posted by Z51JEFF

Id check the fan switch.I had an 84 years ago and the switch died.

Yep me too. Had two go bad on pusher fan.

[pinstripebob]

I should have gotten back on this. About 2 weeks ago I got the factory service manual, did a little more trouble shooting, and sure enough the switch in the passenger head was kaput. A $9 part saved the day!