Fan Switch Location on a 1998

[mkulina]

Can anyone help me find the switch that operates the cooling fans on a 1998 Corolla LE. The car is runnig hot in slow speed situations, so I'm thinking the cooling fan is not cuttin on when it should. I have replaced the thermostat and the temperature sensor on the back of that housing. I also replaced the fan motor, because there was so much play in the shaft. i'm guessing the next step is that there is another switch operating the fan and possibly the fan relay.

Thanks, appreciate anyone who can provide direction here...

Mike

[fishexpo101]

Quick check here - disconnect the connector that runs to the back of the thermostat housing, that is the coolant temperature switch. Failsafe mode will have the fans immediately cut on when that is disconnected. If the fans don't turn, then you likely have a power issue to the fans - ie. they are not getting the right voltage or any voltage at all.

[mkulina]

Is that sensor also the switch for the fans? Or does it just provide temp infor to the car's emissions system?

My daughter has the car right now, 150 miles away, of course. I will ask her to see if she can pull the pug on that. Would rather have it run cold until it comes home.

Thanks...Mike

[plu]

I had a similar problem on my 98. It turned out that my fans were already running. A new $9 radiator cap from Autozone fixed the problem.

[mkulina]

Thank you, I guess that couldn't hurt. I keep thinking there is a fan control issue though. It seems to me that if they are operating correctly, there is no way it could be runnig hot (it has a new 170 degree thermostat)

Mike

[fishexpo101]

Originally Posted by mkulina

Is that sensor also the switch for the fans? Or does it just provide temp infor to the car's emissions system?

My daughter has the car right now, 150 miles away, of course. I will ask her to see if she can pull the pug on that. Would rather have it run cold until it comes home.

Thanks...Mike

The one on the thermostat housing is the switch for the fans. The coolant temperature sending unit is mounted lower on the block.

Also couldn't hurt to check on the relays for the fans. Both are located in the fuse panel under the hood, right by the driver's side fender.

Yeah, trying to fix this remotely is going to be tough. But disconnecting that switch should make it pretty obvious if the fans are coming on or not.

[mkulina]

I don't know which relay is the left side fan, I need to go look at lunch, but that may also be the issue. Appreciate the heads up...

Mike