1988 Integra Radiator Replacement Problem
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Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 36
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From: florida
1988 Integra Radiator Replacement Problem
Hi, Guys.
Just replaced a leaking radiator and now the radiator fans will not come on. They were working before so I'm trying to figure out what I did wrong. Used the owners and shop manual to guide me but I've heard that this model has some radiator replacement tricks that can trip up a DIYer.
The temperature gauge on the dashboard is working. I've checked the electrical connections to the fans to make sure they are secure. The fuses are good. Was careful to make sure that the cooling fan switch wires were same as before. As I'm writing this I'm thinking that a good first troubleshooting step would be to reverse the wire connections (on the cooling fan switch/plug) in case I made an error.
This was the first time I've every done this and it's possible that maybe I damaged one fan while wrestling them in place but unlikely that I broke them both. Are they linked so that if one fan doesn't work the other will fail as well?
The only other thing that stands out as a possible problem was the thermostat bleeding procedure described in the owner's manual. It said that after refilling the coolant system to unscrew the thermostat screw until air bubbles are replaced with a steady stream of anti freeze. I started to unscrew the plug and coolant began gushing out so I just re-tighten the bolt back into the engine.
I'll try reversing the cooling fan switch wires tomorrow and report back if this was the problem but in the meantime if anyone has any ideas I'd be most grateful.
Thanks in advance.
Just replaced a leaking radiator and now the radiator fans will not come on. They were working before so I'm trying to figure out what I did wrong. Used the owners and shop manual to guide me but I've heard that this model has some radiator replacement tricks that can trip up a DIYer.
The temperature gauge on the dashboard is working. I've checked the electrical connections to the fans to make sure they are secure. The fuses are good. Was careful to make sure that the cooling fan switch wires were same as before. As I'm writing this I'm thinking that a good first troubleshooting step would be to reverse the wire connections (on the cooling fan switch/plug) in case I made an error.
This was the first time I've every done this and it's possible that maybe I damaged one fan while wrestling them in place but unlikely that I broke them both. Are they linked so that if one fan doesn't work the other will fail as well?
The only other thing that stands out as a possible problem was the thermostat bleeding procedure described in the owner's manual. It said that after refilling the coolant system to unscrew the thermostat screw until air bubbles are replaced with a steady stream of anti freeze. I started to unscrew the plug and coolant began gushing out so I just re-tighten the bolt back into the engine.
I'll try reversing the cooling fan switch wires tomorrow and report back if this was the problem but in the meantime if anyone has any ideas I'd be most grateful.
Thanks in advance.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 254
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From: Sacramento
Make sure your relay is good and make sure your fan swithc is plugged in some cars have a plug on the thermostat housing. My old honda was that way I didn't have it plugged in and my fan wouldn't turn on.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 36
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From: florida
Finally fixed this problem.
I believe that pslsnakes was right on target. There was a single, thin wire that had a blue cover over its connector that led to the alternator. I'm assuming that this was a ground wire that had been inadvertantly disconnected when the fans were removed. It is located on the left side of the vehicle near the bottom corner of the radiator. Since I did not have the car elevated it was difficult to see the wire. Once connected the fans worked as designed.
I believe that pslsnakes was right on target. There was a single, thin wire that had a blue cover over its connector that led to the alternator. I'm assuming that this was a ground wire that had been inadvertantly disconnected when the fans were removed. It is located on the left side of the vehicle near the bottom corner of the radiator. Since I did not have the car elevated it was difficult to see the wire. Once connected the fans worked as designed.