Fan relay question - 97 GTS

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

The fan is good so I'm guessing the relay must be bad. I checked the relays on the driver's side but none of them indicate they are for the fan. The shop manual says the relay is under the heater motor but I can't see it. Anybody got any suggestions before I start ripping everything apart?

 

[Steve-Indy]

Chuck, don't look under the heater shroud...fell for that one myself as it is a LEFT OVER from Gen I manual. The fan relays are in the small box right in front of the large "fuse box" (just behind windshield washer bottle) under the hood on the LEFT side(PCM)...and, by my recollection, there are two such relays for fan, one for starter and one blank spot. Keep in mind that the base(socket) into which the relays plug can also short out (as noted here a few months ago by BigMedicine).

Did you set the codes for fan relay (P1498 or P1490??)

Good luck.

 

[Big Medicine]

Si Si

That's where I found mine, conveniently labeled by sticker underside of cover. Fan, fan speed, starter.

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

There they are. Thanks guys. The labeling looks backwards to me but no big deal.

Anyway, how can I tell if the relay is bad? Ohm meter?

Did you set the codes for fan relay (P1498 or P1490??)

You lost me on this Lee. Are you referring to a SES light? If so, I didn't get a light. I'm assuming the relay is bad because I know the fan is good and it still isn't kicking on. The relay seemed to be the next order of business. What do you think?

I wonder if the 02 Service manual has the correct locations? If so, I wonder how many other corrections a later manual would have.

 

[Steve-Indy]

" Did you set the codes for fan relay (P1498 or P1490??)"

...just wondering if you had a check engine light, and if you used an ODBII...codes above are for the 2 fan relays.

By the way, I can NEVER find those relays in stock here in Indy...you may have better luck, however.

Once again, Big Medicine is our "local hero" on this issue...might search out his post over last 6 months.

Also, the 2002 manual IS a little better on this issue than the '98 manual.

EDIT: HERE it part of that thread:

Re: Car shut off completely while driving
#340091 - 11/05/03 06:36 AM Edit Reply Quote Quick Reply



I have; call me. 317.879.3022

Check your relays under the hood. Get under the car & trace the connections from battery to starter & into the PCM. I had to dissassemble my fuse box/ relay center. Auto shut down relay was shorting out from fan relay arc.

EDIT...I see the pics that Big Medicine posted did NOT transfer...I tried !!!

 

[Jay Lopez]

For a Tech Tip on the Fan and Starter Relays, check out the North Texas Viper Club website:

http://www.northtexasviperclub.com/newsletters/newsletter2003-08.htm

Scroll down to "Yet Another Member Snake Tale"

 

[NDW]

Exactly what Jay posted happened to me at the track. My fan relay went out and I was overheating. Keith Laxson told me to start the car with the good relay in the starter socket, and then take it out and put the good relay in the fan socket to run the fan. Worked just fine, just couldn't kill the car without repeating the procedure. It is a generic relay, I bought two spares at Auto Zone.

 

[Steve-Indy]

Did you get it fixed, Chuck ?

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

Nope Steve. Not fixed. I swapped the suspect relays from the GTS (where the fan doesn't work) to the RT/10 (where the fan does work) and the fan in the RT/10 continued to work. Now what?

 

[Big Medicine]

Chuck,

My problem was evident when I pulled the relays. Melted plastic. Must not be the same deal.

 

[Doug Supercharged Vipers]

Chuck -

- Is the PCM commanding the fan turn on?
- One problem I've experienced with an inoperative fan, the plugs go bad. Check the fan harness plug and _make certain_ the prongs aren't pushed out of the connector! They may appear to be connected but are not.

Doug