I have an 02 malibu in which the cooling fans will not come on unless i turn on the air conditioning. Which then if i turn off the air conditioning, they will stay running. I'm assuming it is a sensor that is bad. Any thought?? Location of sensor??

Thanks
Ron

generally the coolant temp sensor is a decent place to start. the rest is computer controled

Well, all sounds normal to me, but that's with the limited information we have. When you turn the A/C off, how long does it stay on? 1 minute, 5 minutes, 1/2 hr, forever? The fan usually will stay on a short time after you turn the A/C off to help cool things off.

Also, the fan will not kick in until it reaches a certain temperature. The best way to test whether it works or not is in stop and go traffic in the middle of summer. I think on the grand am it would turn on around 240-260 degrees.

Otherwise as was mentioned, check your sensor.

Well, all sounds normal to me, but that's with the limited information we have. When you turn the A/C off, how long does it stay on? 1 minute, 5 minutes, 1/2 hr, forever? The fan usually will stay on a short time after you turn the A/C off to help cool things off.

Also, the fan will not kick in until it reaches a certain temperature. The best way to test whether it works or not is in stop and go traffic in the middle of summer. I think on the grand am it would turn on around 240-260 degrees.

Otherwise as was mentioned, check your sensor.

+1 Good info

fan will not operate with sensor connected but will run with sensor disconnected