1997 328i, electric cooling fan not running

[ejheverest]

328i temperature guage starts to creep up in traffic or anytime I'm not driving over 30 mph or on highway.

Already replaced radiator, thermostat, housing, water pump and belts, hoses.

Can I pull out electric fan without removing the radiator?

Testing procedure or photos of how to test electric fan, resistor pack, temperature sensor on passenger side of radiator?

Will check fuse, pwr to electric fan and if both are fine will replace temp. sensor.

[lex0628]

u mean the aux fan... have you checked your relay's inthe fuse box ??? it's yellow or purple......

[strad]

It is extremely unlikely that an inop aux fan is the only problem with your cooling system. A properly functioning system with a good fan clutch will almost never require the help of the aux fan to keep the car at operating temperature. It certainly is possible that the aux fan needs help, but keeping the car cool is not its primary job. Blowing air over the AC condenser is its primary job.

Make sure the fan clutch is working properly. If it's not, fix it, and your overheating problem will most likely go away. And if you already did an FDM, you did it wrong.

[aht bmp]

1. Does the aux fan work when you turn the A/C on?
2. Have you triple-checked your burping process and are completely and un-deniably sure there are no air pockets?
3. Strad's right ... check the fan clutch. You shouldn't need the aux fan's help unless it's extremely hot outside.

It sounds like a flow problem ... either air flow or coolant flow.