This isn't an Oldsmobile, but you folks may have an idea of what the problem is.

I have a 1983 Subaru GL Wagon in the shop that we did an engine swap for for a friend. We pulled the old motor, performed massive emissions surgery on the new motor, dropped it, patched her together. It starts, we tuned the carb, it sounds great, but the coolant system sucks. The electric fan does not work, and the coolant system seems to be backpressurized. The temp gauge worked before but does not work now, I can't find a wiring diagram for this thing anywhere, nor a manual, even at the dealership. If the car runs for a few minutes and is shut off, it shoots coolant EVERYWHERE. Not doing that again till we have the coolant system properly regulated.

So my question is:

If the fan turns on due to engine temperature, it would make sense that it doesn't work because the temp sensor is not hooked up now (and we can't find it.)

If the fan is supposed to turn on with the engine, why doesn't it turn on now? Is it a bad relay, or what?

We really need this car out of the shop, it's been in there forever and we need the room to work on vehicles that are about to explode if they don't see some maintenance...but we can't just give the car back to her if she can't drive it, and say take it to a mechanic. Any help would be appreciated!

 

I would hot wire the cooling fan first . Then if engine performs OK.Go for a IGN on type relay.If it does not I would do a dye test at the radiator & make sure it isnt a bad head gasket ect.I will look in my books tonight to see if the cover this car.as fer as component locations

 

head gaskets should be fine, the motor we dropped had 2500 miles. it was a boneyard motor, but i personally know the guy that owns the yard and he wouldn't lie to me, he's a friend of the family. it started in the car at the junkyard fine and didn't overheat on that car, so it's something not engine related on this one.

 

Ok. Tomorrow if we have time we'll stop by the shop and wire the fan to the battery and see what happens.

And I'd like to know what you find in your manuals.

Appreciate the help!

 

I have a Chilton's component locater & wiring diagrams 83-86 Cooling fan sensor is in intake manifold ,it has 2 relays for fan, PS dont feel bad I have a Toyota in the shop.

 

If you could scan those pages and put them up here, I would be ETERNALLY grateful!

 

Ill try to figure something out,As right now we are re building our office & we are down to basics.Maby I can put the camera on macro Ill try today

 

That would be excellent!

 

need engine size.Book dosent specify by model.If this dosent work go to the library & look up alldata Mitchels or chiltons Larry

 

Ahhh, I don't know for sure i'd have to look. it's in the 80s or 90s cubic inches.

 

Josh decided to hotwire the battery himself, and when he touched wires to the battery (also flipped them on both ends to make sure there wasn't a polarity issue) there wasn't so much as a spark. I wanted to keep the fan wired and actually start the car, but he decided that it implied the fan was bad.

 

I'll see if i can get the engine displacement sometime soon.