Hi all,

1992 Accord EX (155,000 miles)


The radiator fan in my 92 accord ex (155,000 miles) stays on for several minutes after shutdown. Or, the fan is off at shutdown and switches on several minutes later and stays on for 3-5 minutes. This happens in all sorts of weather and after short trips.

I'm not too concerned with this since I've read this is somewhat common and I had the radiator and water pump changed 1.5 years ago. Howerver, while tinkering around I noticed something odd, or at least I think. If this following is normal, I apologize:

I brought the car up to normal operating temperature. With the car at idle and in park I cranked up the AC. Both fans came on as expected. However, the fans only stayed on for 3-5 seconds and then switched off. After 15-20 seconds, the fans switched on again. This cycle continued without the fans staying constantly on.

Any ideas on what is causing this? Has anybody else experienced this? By the way, the temperature gauge is always at 1/2, right in the middle.

Thanks very much.

1992 Accord EX (155,000 miles)

 

On a '92 there's a 2nd fan switch (in upper radiator hose nozzle) that switches the fan after the engine is turned off. The fan running after sounds sorta normal.

The AC cycling is a different issue. The fans should cycle along with the compressor clutch. But it seems like that's cycling too fast. Have your AC system checked for pressures. It may be that your expansion valve is partially plugged causing it to cycle fast. Maybe it could also be caused by over-charging with refrigerant.

 

Thanks for the reply JimBlake,

I will definetly check the AC system for low pressure and also the expansion valve. I'm pretty sure it's not overcharged because I've never recharged the system.

If I understand the fan switches correctly, I can avoid using the AC (so that the AC fan doesn't switch on) and the radiator fan should cycle normally. Is this correct?

Thanks again,

orhonda
1992 EX (155,000 miles)
AT

 

Yeah, it should. When the engine's running, the switch in the thermostat housing (lower radiator hose) is responsible for switching the fan. Don't know for sure about '92, but I think both fans will run with that switch.