I have an 86 2.3-16. Recently I noticed while idling that the water temp climbed to the red zone on my gauge. Upon inspection I realized that the cooling fan was not turning on. Incedently I have also noticed that the aux fan for the A/C condenser is also not functioning so the A/C blows cold only if the car is moving but warms up when at a stand still. Does anyone have experience with either of these problems? Is there one item/temp switch in that system which commonly fails? Thanks for the help.

Kurt

First place to start is the fuse box. I had a recent problem with my aux fan not working, it was as simple as changing the fuse.

After checking the fuse box, find the fan switch on the cooling pump. It most likely needs to be replaced. Be careful if the car is hot. When you remove it, coolant will spill out so have some way to catch it. The fan switch probably went bad. Mine did the same exact thing and the radiator blew up as a result. If I were you, stop driving the car until you replace the fan switch. It has a three prong connector and is red. Find your shop manual if you need help locating the switch. Good Luck, Joe

The 4 cyl 190's (both the 16V and the regular 2.3) have two fans and two switches.
First, the electric fan clutch that is mounted onto the water pump is turned on by the 3-pin switch on top, front of the cyl head. This is supposed to come on at 105 C° to 110 C°.
Second, the auxiliary fan in front of the radiator is turned on by the red or green switch on the receiver drier, and most 190's were updated so that the electric fan clutch on the water pump would also come on at the same time.
These engines therefore run 10°+ cooler if the AC is on and functioning properly than if the AC is off because the first fan comes on at a much higher temp.
Of course start by checking the fuse first, then by jumping the switch for each switch, then checking the fan, relay and wiring as required....

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thanks for the help