How to Replace the Thermo Fan Switch in a 1995 Honda Civic

Honda strayed from the motorcycle realm, moving into the automotive realm with the release of the 1973 Civic. This compact vehicle was an alternative to gas guzzling V-8 vehicles, but still had plenty of interior room. The 1995 Civic -- the final year of the fifth generation of Civics -- had three 1.5-liter engines and a 1.6-liter engine available; the latter only came in the Si and EX trim levels. An electrical switch -- the engine coolant temperature switch -- allows electricity to flow to the cooling fan on the 1995 Civic when the coolant's temperature needs to be lowered.

Instructions

1

Trace the upper radiator hose on your 1995 Civic until you reach the component that attaches the hose to the engine -- this is the thermostat housing.

2

Find the engine coolant temperature switch on the lower part of the thermostat housing. Press the locking button on the ECT switch wiring harness and disconnect the harness from the ECT switch.

3

Slide a drain pan under the Civic's engine, nearby the ECT switch. Remove the ECT switch with a ratchet and deep-well socket.

4

Hand-tighten the ECT switch into the thermostat housing and tighten it to 16 to 19 foot-pounds, using a torque wrench and deep-well socket. Plug the wiring harness into the new ECT switch.

5

Open the radiator cap and fill the radiator to the base of the filler neck with 50-50 premixed Genuine Honda Antifreeze/Coolant. Unscrew the cap from the coolant overflow tank and fill it with 50-50 premixed Genuine Honda Antifreeze/Coolant until the coolant level is between the "Min" and "Max" lines on the reservoir.

6

Close the radiator and overflow tank caps. Start the Civic and allow it to reach operating temperature -- about halfway up the temperature gauge on the dashboard.

7

Shut the engine down and allow the engine to set until it is cool to the touch. Add 50-50 premixed Genuine Honda Antifreeze/Coolant to the radiator overflow tank until the level is between the "Max" and "Min" lines on the tank, if needed.

8

Take the coolant in the drain pan to an automotive fluid recycling center. Many auto parts stores take old coolant free of charge.