Check engine light...

[channelfats]

98 subaru forester: P0483: Cooling fan primary circuit condition

Relay? Fan motor brushes starting to go?

I have seen the fans come on at least 3 different times.

If relay is bad(will it work at all?) will the fans get any/or enough voltage to turn on?

If relay is ok, fans starting to crap out intermitenly?

Am I missing anything? Any tests I can do?

Thanks

Joe

[Jeremy airjer W]

From what I can gather this code is set when the coolant temp does not drop a certain amount in a certain amount of time after the cooling fans come on.

The first thing I would check is the coolant level. Then I would make sure both fans are working as intended. If these to check out than I hate to say it you'll need a scan tool to see what the coolant temp sensor is up to. You didn't mention that is is running hot so I wouldn't suspect that there is a problem with circulation (waterpump, t-stat, or internally blocked radiator).

The other possibility is that the outside of the radiator is starting to plug up with dirt and debris, which would drop its efficiency. I just had one tonight that I literally blew a sandbox worth of dirt out of. No check engine light but the customer complaint was it ran hot over the weekend with the A/C on but was back to normal with the cooler temps. It took about 20 minutes to get it clean.

I'll read up on it a little more when I get to work tomorrow . I'll let you know if I'm on the right track.

[Hookmaster]

airjer,

What's the best way to clean a radiator that has external crud in the fins?

[Shack]

Presure washer set at a low rate, as not to damage fins. Garden hose pressure will work! It all depends on the amount of build up in fins.

I have seen tech's over the years have to remove radiator and condensor to proper clean. Still is cheaper then replaceing.

Sounds like Airjer blow out with air hose, but bugs and othe road stuff might take a liquid to loosen up and then air pressure!

[Shack]

Channel,

Could define "crap out" a little clearer?

Does it mean it makes a loud noise, does nothing and humms or does not come on when it should?

[Scott K]

What I have found that works well is spraying bugbegone at it let it soak for 20 minutes, then wash out with garden hose or pressure washer on low pressure. If it is real dirty you will need to remove it, its best to spray from under the hood to the outside of the car! If it is oil soaked you may have a leak and need it replaced.

[Jeremy airjer W]

Shack, I think he was asking are the fans crapping out intermittently.

I took a piece of 36" 3/16" brake line, mounted it to a blow gun, Put a 90 degree bend on the other end then trimmed it of so it has a lower profile. Plug in shop air and it will blow dirt/debris like there is no tomorrow. Its slim enough to blow out most radiators and condensers without removing the radiator or the fans in some cases. Subarus are easy enough to pull out the fans so that what I did yesterday.

[PierBridge]

I use a Garden hose with copper tube adapter customized to fit for cleaning Radiators while still installed on the vehicle, the amount of sand, salt and CRUD entails water pressure to clean them properly.

[Scott K]

Yes they do make a nice fancy tool, that atatches to the garden house and has a swivel end that you can adjust the spray, they work very well also.

[Shack]

I figured as much Airjer, but the Service Advisor in me comes out some times..

The tech's would have a field day with me if I wrote "crap out" on an R/O. ..

Airjer, Pier and 4wander, good advice on a device to help with cleaning rad. with having to take it out!