How To: Install A Thermo Fan Switch On A Chevy Venture Van

This is a step by step instructional video on how to replace the thermofan switch on a Chevrolet Venture Minivan. It outlines the troubleshooting, removal and repair of the temperature sender sensor responsible for turning the radiator cooling fan on and off. If your Chevy Venture is overheating while at a stop or in standing traffic, this might be the solutions to your problem.

[@125AXer]

What I learned is that the fans come on when the switch is unplugged! Made for an easy test, fans work great, so in goes a switch! Thanks.

[@LadyMoo470]

8 years later, this video is still helping people! The part search term has changed to "Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor" for most shopping apps.

[@skiplinville4567]

Thank you Daniel, I have skinny hands,you made it look easy but, with larger hands I'm sure it wasn't as easy as you showed it to be. Anyway, thank you for the post, you saved this senior citizen half of the social security for this month.

[@gentelmanjunkie542]

Thanks for the video. Couldn't for the love of Pete figure out why my '02 Venture would run way past half way on gauge at times, and straight up in the middle, or just below half way, the other half of the time. Only had the van 6 months so I didnt know what was normal for it. This explained a lot.

[@melissaperez6691]

Gentelman Junkie mine is doing the same and is not kicking out heat, did yours kick out heat?

[@Manders4and5Aneto]

to get the new switch in I used a section of garden hose. then tighten with the deep 3/4 socket.

[@kevinspahr6632]

Good idea!!!!

[@briangrogan910]

This video helped! I bought a car with overheating issues. I have made it work by running the ac to turn the fan on and in traffic also turn on the heater to circulate the water. I replaced the relay so this is next step!

[@delwill44]

man you older guys keep me alive when women doing work on their own.

[@MegaMiniac]

Awesome Video. So very well explained and taught to us ! Thank you !

[@oldtimedrumcorps]

Gauge on dash when cold at 9 0clock is approx 156 deg F. each hash mark is approx 7 deg higher. 12 oclock is about 212 . 195 is open T stat. always use OEM T Stat Google for a pix of temp gauge and research. Replacing the Tstat is difficult unless you get the wrench to do it . This 3.4 is known to eat original intake gaskets for breakfast .

[@lesterantoniorodriguez4692]

Thank you in Managua Nicaragua.

[@michaelspeakman8924]

Do you see them to bleeders. You need to make sure that pure antifreeze comes out of them. If it does not you have air in the system. And you need to wait till the engine warms up fully. Go for a drive. And open that valve just the top bleeder it has a little hole in it to let air out. It may take a few minutes for the antifreeze to come out but if it makes a vapor lock in the engine your engine will get hot and your heater core will not heat

[@donnato5210]

That help me for fix the same problem in my chevy venture...

[@emmettturner9452]

I believe my thermostat is stuck open since the engine never reaches operating temperature while moving, it only gets close to temp when idling, and it doesn’t normally overheat. I assume my temperature sender is working because my belt broke in the middle of all this and the engine instantly said it was overheating. Months ago I had the coolant flushed, the hoses replaced, and the coolant level sensor replaced… but the level sensor is still not behaving: It almost always says “low coolant” unless I unplug the sensor. I did find frayed wires but I repaired them and confirmed they weren’t shorting to cause this. My new sensor just appears to be bad… unless sludge can cause this? The radiator cap and coolant reservoir were still covered in sludge even after they supposedly flushed everything. Even though I asked for a “real flush the get rid of the stuff in there” I have my doubts that they actually did one… just drain and refill. I’ll be doing the thermostat replacement myself and ordered one with the gooseneck housing piece since I expect it to be full of sludge too. It was pretty cheap to order as a set complete with gaskets and a fail-open thermostat… and failing-open seems to have worked out well for me so far. ;) Anyway, I thought I’d replace the coolant level sender again if it was cheap enough. The auto part store quoted me a low price so I bought it only to find that it was the coolant temperature sender… not the coolant level sensor. Since everything is covered with sludge perhaps I should go ahead and replace that too but I don’t know if I will be going anywhere near that while I replace the thermostat. In your video, the “thermofan switch” looks really similar to the part I accidentally bought. Are you sure that isn’t just a run-of-the-mill “temp sender” thermometer for the gauge cluster? I assume the computer reads it the same as the gauge cluster and turns on the fan using its own electronic signal/relay. If that is the same part so already have, is there any reason not to go ahead and replace it on my end? It looks like it will be easy to do when I’m already replacing the thermostat. Also, what would you suggest for flushing out thick/layered coolant sludge? Thanks!

[@robertleach6402]

just my problem. thanks for the video

[@rafaelcuevasiii5604]

Thank u for posting

[@MrtalentedReid]

You done a good job

[@willyfermin]

Excelente video, su aporte es muy importante para nosotros, muchas gracias.

[@ronalddeleeuw3865]

Thanks from the Netherlands

[@dalekundtz760]

When trying to reach the switch you dropped, that is why I have a magnet with an extension to grab onto the metal part of the switch and lift it out.

[@seanharracksingh279]

Yep, that was my problem.!!!

[@tommywu1043]

Wow this helped me out a lot 👍

[@bobv8219]

Isn't that called coolant temperature sensor.

[@Revelation18-4]

Yes it is! I was wondering the same thing!

[@pedritoc.c.t.665]

So termi fan and tem switch sensor is the same ?

[@seanharracksingh279]

Huge thx!

[@TIYX]

What if the fan does not come on when you unplug that sensor? I have 2000 Chevy venture all the cooling fan relays are good so is the wiring, tested the wiring with a ground lead to make sure it kicks on fan 1 and fan 2 or makes the fan relay click. But when I run the van with AC on no fan, unplug that sensor no fan. The only time I have seen the fans run in this can is when I was probing the fuse box with a negative lead on the fan relay posts.

[@MrFadysaber]

Hello sir thank you for this video, but I have a question, is there many type of termofan switch ? For example one that switches at 80°C other at 90°C...... etc

[@jasonlee6463]

because I replaced all the fan relays, i bought a new water pump,I replace the BCM box the PCM box,and the fan motor,but the fan motors never came on,and the temperature gauge was getting to the red area,on my 98 Chevy venture, and I turn on the AC,and that fan motor will not come on at all,but when me and my brother bypass both of these fan motors to a battery, both motors work great,so I'm guessing, my problem is from the fan switch sensor, like yours.

[@delwill44]

man I love this video when other people scam you . these with saving me valve money.

[@danielcharrie7125]

I have this problem, and changed that part too, but it' didn't solve the problem

[@supercharged6771]

Thanks buddy same problem 2003 alero,

[@craiggerlach5548]

I do not recommend putting hands anywhere near those fans to see if they are operating... and other than the garden hose method, some cardboard or paper into socket would hold sensor in place too...

[@blade75964]

Hi, good video, but I have a 2000 chevrolet venture, and changed thermastat and the fan sensor switch, but still doing the same thing as before. when at idle with ac off it goes over the half mark when it gets to the three quarter mark then the fans come on, and also when ac is on the passenger side fan comes on but not the driver side one. but it stays cool and does not overheat,what could be the problem. I really hope you can get back to me on this problem I have A.S.A.P. Thank you. Oh I hope I explained it right.

[@kevinspahr6632]

That sounds about the way mine does also.

[@sandramckinlay3424]

Well this is so cool I hope it works for me

[@terenceswitzer5947]

would this keep fan from coming on .my fan does not come on untill it almost over heats

[@ryans413]

A bad sensor could but it could just be how it’s programmed in the computer

[@jasonlee6463]

I have a 98 Chevy venture, do they have a thermo fan switch for this year model, on my 98 Chevy venture van,but if I do unplug the plug,from the fan motor sensor switch,will the fan motors come on,if I unplug it.

[@MrtalentedReid]

You could have use a peace of paper to hold it in the socke.

[@williewilliebrimer9021]

how do you change out the heater T at back of engine on a 2002Oldsmobile silhouette?

[@JOHNNYFUTS]

Daniel, where is the needle on your temp gauge when your fans kick on? I don't know this vehicle enough and I don't want to warp my new head job

[@kevinspahr6632]

Two or three marks past the halfway point.

[@ryans413]

It’s not a issue GM designed this engine to run little hot before the fans kick on and the thermostat opens. Seeing the needle go past the half way mark is okay as long as it dosnt approach the red mark you be okay. My car dose this all the time and every time the fans kick on and the thermostat opens. Not really an issue

[@kevinspahr6632]

ABSOLUTELY 😁

[@rodneylyles128]

how did you thread it on there my switch wont tighten

[@redhead-ij4xw]

hey quick question on the 1999 chevy venture 3.4 when your driving where is the temp gauge supposed to be at thanks alot

[@kevinspahr6632]

Normally between 10-12 O'clock 😁

[@KristenNMartinez09]

​@kevinspahr6632 my 2003 stays between the 10 and12 position in City Traffic. But once I hit the freeway the gauge will start to go toward the 1 o'clock position. I understand the sensor you showed in the video will help me in this particilar issue Thank you for your time. 😊

[@leonardoatito]

Try changing the expansion cap if nothing else works.

[@edgarsantiago5534]

So i removed the plug while van was running and fans didnt turn on. I have a 03 venture. Fans work when i wired them directly to the battery. Do i need a new sensor?

[@DanielScheerHowTo]

+Edgar Santiago That's odd... did you check the fuses? This does not sound like the sensor.

[@koreymayo8884]

Um isn't that a coolant temp sensor?

[@dlyall26]

Hey here's my problem maybe you can help.I have changed the water pump the sensor the thermostat and it still over heats, my fans do kick on but they seem not to run very fast.what could it be

[@ascensionfroisland3735]

Check your oil if you have anything white in it you have a blown head gasket or milky yellow colored

[@tyqwanpilot6858]

That part of the motor that the sensor switch goes into, what's that part called? Found a crack on it is it fixable or do I have to replace it?

[@125AXer]

Two years too late, and you must have found out. That is the lower intake manifold. Must be replaced.

[@terenceswitzer5947]

ok weird question i have a 2003 chevy venture also but in the morning my oil light always comes on untill it warms up but it says it has enough beforei start it by the dip stick.and check engine light comes on every so often and then goes away any ideas

[@beerzie27]

That's a different thing altogether. You can reset that light (it's just a reminder to check the oil level light) by turning the key on and pushing the odometer/tip knob 3-4 times...watch what it says...like "trip A", then "trip B" then "oil 0".....THEN press again and it should say "oil 100". Stop pushing the button and start the van. Should have reset!

[@angelrodriguez-ot6gd]

me Ventura ,93 don' t mark hot is in hafe and shet of went is roning and i hafe to waid lake 20 min and star again can u help me

[@MrBlake-cz4km]

My fans don't kick on until the engine temp is 3/4 the gauge capacity, is that normal, and I noticed if I turn the ac on my transmission doesn't really slip, is there anything I can do to make the fans run all the time so my transmission doesn't slip?

[@kevinspahr6632]

Yes. In the summer, always run your A/C. In the winter, always run defrost......both will run A/C compressor which in turn will keep fans running all the time😁

[@ondrapolivka8297]

So the temperature indicator on the dashboard won't be showing a temp?

[@ryans413]

Correct if the sensor is bad it could be reading colder or hotter then it is and that can mess up the computer and controlling the fans.

[@johal8485]

i did the same fans didn't work. when i disconnect the wire from thermo fan switch then fans start work. i changed switch and connect again. still not work. but when i disconnect the wire its work. i don't now why???need help please

[@Trumpetmac]

What was normal termpature?

[@CactosS]

for any engine the normal temperature is 195 degrees

[@ryans413]

90 C 195 F

[@dalekundtz760]

That is what happens when you use SAE socket instead of metric. Put some Vaseline on the new part before sliding it into the socket and it will stay in place as you start to thread it.

[@johnmiller-in5bt]

hahahahaha

[@emenem6131]

Exactly happened to me..... so mad when it happened.

[@Motosymasmotos1]

Alguien que me traduzca si cambiando el sensor de temperatura funcionaron los ventiladores

[@cesara.cebada435]

Razor Vlogs según si arrancaron , en I Chevy arrancan hasta los 210 grados más o menos cuando la aguja de la temperatura pasa de la mitad

[@Motosymasmotos1]

@@cesara.cebada435 gracias amigo 👍

[@Motosymasmotos1]

@@cesara.cebada435 muchas gracias hermano es lo malo de solo saber que si es yes en inglés

[@acharo1021]

What size socket?

[@malacefromthepalace5657]

If fans dont come in its the ground

[@ednja]

The turn on temperature for low speed is about 220 deg F, and for high speed is about 230 deg F. That's too high. GM wants your engine and transmission to fail. Most of the time the fan won't even be running and the transmission fluid isn't be cooled by the fans either. GM wants to sell more new cars so they tell us we'll burn less fuel by running everything hotter. Old vehicles with the fans that are always running kept the temperature lower. I'd prefer turn on temperature between 150 and 180, but with a PWM circuit that varies the speed of the fans with the temperature.

[@janetmcadoo3644]

thank you so much for your time and help

[@NeverflyAlways]

I've identified my problem to be the thermo fan switch. I'd like for the fan to kick on at lower temps also! How do I solve this? Is there a way to install another fan that will come on at lower temps orrr is there a way to make the current fans turn on at lower temps?

[@mijojae478]

NeverFlyAlways I've seen people make a couple holes in the thermostat to help run cooler

[@ryans413]

Not really you really don’t need the fans at all unless you let your car idle in the hot weather all day. When driving the air is passing over the radiator cooling the coolant down. Why do you think they put the radiator at the front of the car with big grills in the bumper so air con pass over the radiator. As long as you are driving there’s no need for the fans. If you are stopped idling the engine shouldn’t get too hot too quick at most all you need is a low speed fan to come on to pass some air over the radiator. So I can see why the fans wouldn’t come on until it’s almost too hot cause most the time the cars moving right so tea

[@calicuban8890]

I did exactly what you did but my car still heats up a little bit once it heats up then the fans turns on it looks like the fan takes awhile to turn on

[@overleroi3445]

Wash the radiator, change the pomp

[@kevinspahr6632]

That is how it's designed to work

[@monasadventures2868]

I'm having a hard time fixing .my van

[@williamsramos8779]

SHOULD OF SHOWED HOW LOW IT WENT

[@perrywelsh436]

A magnt woul;d be very helpful

[@youngchris209]

i did the same thing and the fans didnt come on still

[@DanielScheerHowTo]

+youngchris209 If they fan doesn't come on when you unplug the fan sensor switch with the car running.... then you have a different problem.

[@jelverespana5094]

Daniel Scheer wat did you do next

[@ryans413]

How hot did the engine get GM likes to run them little hot before it commands the fans on

[@kevinspahr6632]

@@DanielScheerHowTo hey Daniel can you unplug the sensor and run the vehicle always with the fans on so the engine will never overheat?

[@ronfrey5327]

I BROKE THE MANIFOLD DOING THIS IT BROKE THE MANIFOLD ITS CHEAP SHIT AND BREAKS EASY.. 500 DOLLAR NIGHTMARE

[@grace2u776]

ever hear of needle nose pliers? lol also you used to much tape....

[@sonny2435]

wasted Post !