My wife and I just picked up a 95 Trans Sport with the 3.8 L engine. Car runs great and love all the room inside for our kids. Having trouble figuring out why hte fan does not turn on untill it reaches 240. I called the local dealer and they said that was normal and not to worry. Did not seem right so I called a dealer over in Idaho and they said the fan should turn on around 225.

Going down the highway it runs perfect say at 180-190. Get into town and we are up to 240 with the redline starting at 250 or so. I dont think the fan kicks on untill we are at the 240. So what is the right temp for the fan to turn on? I read on a different post to look at the relay. Where is it located? I did buy a new Temp. sensor, but now I dont think thats the prob.

Any Suggestions?

Thanks so much
Bri
PS, this is the first forum I have ever posted in, hope its not too long and that it comes out ok.

[QUOTE=dpbri]Having trouble figuring out why hte fan does not turn on untill it reaches 240. called a dealer over in Idaho and they said the fan should turn on around 225.
I read on a different post to look at the relay. Where is it located? I did buy a new Temp. sensor, but now I dont think thats the prob.
QUOTE]

I just joined this forum and am looking around. I have my '93 Transport since new and I bought the service manual with the car.
Your worry seems justified because the needle on mine moves just about a needle width above normal before the fan kicks in. However, I went through the sevice manual and nowhere I found the temperature at which it should actually kick in. The relay is controlled by the PCM, not directly by a dedicated thermostat, and the relay either works or not, so if you confirm the fan actually works at times, then the relay is OK.
ALso, both fans should kick in instantly when you turn the A/C on: can you confirm this?

Alarm code DTC14 for high temp is set at 284°F....so well above 240, which might explain why some told you 240 is normal, which I do not consider the case however.

If you can use a multimeter and measure the resistance provided by the engine coolant temperature sensor, then at normal running temperature of 190°F, it should read near 230 ohms. A normally functionning PCM reads the voltage set by this ohm value, and translates it into the temperature value.

Although I feel I brought more questions than answers, I'd like to know what happens with your problem. I can e-mail you some diagnostic pages and diagrams if you like.

thanks for the reply, I just took it in to the shop to get the AC recharged. Found out that two different probs will be fixed with one solution. Someone took off both cooling fans and replaced with one aftermarket. Not enough airflow to cool the radiator, runs hotter....Then the AC manifold is routed down by or within the radiator. Can get a full charge on AC since it does not get enough airflow.......Hence, I am now looking into getting both of the correct fans. Found one for 85 (pulling) and thinking about reverse wiring this aftermarket and use it as the push. Most likely will shell out the extra 120 for the right one in the end.

Appreciate your response.