My 86 GT recently overheated. It was fine while driving it, but it overheated while standing still. I've determined that the radiator fan isn't running. It SHOULD run at all times with the A/C turned on, but it does not. In reading my Helms, one of the things it points to is the fan relay. It says that it's on "the driver's side front compartment, on the front panel". I see a relay on the front radiator support, in front of the driver's side headlight...is this it? I can't find a picture of the location in the Helms manual. I figured that I would replace the relay, and see if that was my problem, before delving into anything deeper. Also...anyone have experience with removing the connector from the fan switch on the engine? I've located that, but can't get my fingers in to release it with all of the vacuum lines, hoses, etc. in the way. I've read that once you have it removed, you should jumper the terminals with a paper clip, then ground it to test the fan motor and wiring. Is that correct? If so...do you just run a test line from the paper clip to ground? Any and all info is greatly appreciated....I'd like to make sure that the fan motor is bad, and not just assume it is and buy a new one.

there are two wires on the temp connector, with the key on, jump one to ground, fan should run. Jump the other to ground, fan should run at a different speed.

I'm sitting at my desk right now so I can't help you with the exact location of the relay, but it's up front there near the fan if I'm not mistaken. You'll be able to recognize it by the color of the wires that lead into it. They should be red, blk/red, brn/wht, and dark grn/wht. Once you've found it, all you have to do to test if the fan motor is working is unplug the relay and jumper the red wire to the blk/red wire... that's all. The circuit is hot at all times so make sure nothing is in the way when you do this.

You are correct about where the relay is located... on radiater support in front of the drivers head light. Since the fan is not working with the a/c turned on, then the issue is probably the relay . Somtimes tapping the relay will turn it on, but would still need to be replaced. The fan switch in the block may be bad, but that would not stop the fan from turning on if you have the a/c on. Grounding the connector on the fan switch ( temperature) will not turn the fan on if the realy is bad.

[This message has been edited by wwh0001 (edited 08-24-2010).]

Thank you, guys. It was the relay I was looking for. I decided to go ahead and remove it...I read another thread about jumpering the wires on the relay itself to check the motor. When I went to pull the connector out...the guts of the relay came with it. As I was trying to remove the connector from the guts, I apparently caused the points to close, as the fan motor kicked on. It looks like someone pulled the relay apart at one time, as there was a rather badly laid bead of silicone around the base of the relay. I'm off to get a new relay to give that a try...hopefully, that's all it is. Then I can get busy replacing my leaky radiator...

[This message has been edited by litespd (edited 08-24-2010).]

I know the 84 with AC has a dual relay, aren't there two relays in the other year cars with AC?

quote Originally posted by TONY_C: I know the 84 with AC has a dual relay, aren't there two relays in the other year cars with AC?

No. I believe that 84 was the only year for a two speed fan.

There is only one wire to the V6 temp sensor, and there is only one fan speed on all V6's.

OP, it's a good idea to do the paperclip to ground after you get your relay working to check that the wiring is good up to the sensor/switch. Of course this doesn't test the switch itself, but it does check the relay/fan/wiring all the way to the switch. As the previous poster said, pull the connector off of the fan switch sensor on the engine, stick a paperclip into the wire connector and then hold it against the engine and the fan should turn on. The key needs to be in the ON position during this test however the engine does not need to be running. Yeah it's hard to reach it with your fingers. The connector is oblong on the sensor. Squeeze the connector on the LONG lenght, and it will pull up and off quite easily.



V6 engine sensor information from The Fiero Store
http://www.fierostore.com/T....aspx?Part=v6sensors

[This message has been edited by phonedawgz (edited 08-24-2010).]

Update...new relay fixed the problem, I believe. The fan now comes on with the A/C. I started to work on what I thought was a leaky radiator. Turns out it isn't the radiator at all...it's the overflow tank. There is a small crack on the backside of it, where it meets the bulkhead. I jacked up the car, crawled underneath, and couldn't find any evidence of a leak. So, I filled the overflow tank, and went to start it to pressurize the system, and see where the leak was. As I walked around the front of the car to go start it, I noticed it was dripping...it hadn't been just before I filled the overflow tank. I crawled back under, and saw it was dripping quite a bit from the overflow tank. I took it off, and found a small crack on the back of it. It looks rather small, but it leaks a steady stream, rather than drops. Any ideas of something that would patch it? I'd just buy a new one, but I see they are no longer listed on the Fiero Store website, and I believe when I bought this one from the Pontiac dealer several years ago, they told me at that time they were discontinued.

Edit to add pictures. Sorry for the crappy pics....all I had available was my cell phone.

[This message has been edited by litespd (edited 08-24-2010).]

I've used JB Weld (or any other epoxy for that matter) and I've also used plain old kitchen & bathtub silicone sealant to successfully to repair reservoir leaks in the past. Just rough up the surrounding area with a bit of sandpaper first to get good adhesion. Remember, the Fiero reservoir isn't a pressurized unit so the repair doesn't have to be structural, just waterproof.

Thanks, Blooz....I'm sitting here right now, waiting for the epoxy to dry. Ever notice how it never dries in the time they say it will on the package? I DID, however, find new ones on the Fiero Store website, after going back and looking again. A new one is on the way...but I'm still going to get this one fixed and working, as I can't wait three days for the new one to arrive.