Dang thing started this a couple weeks ago. Wife was idling waiting for me at the pharmacy and it got kind of warm. The e-fan isn't coming on once up to temp., so the temp keeps going up. I have the option to install a mech. clutch fan, and may just do that. From my research, it could be the fan relay, or the fan motor. Any ideas?
Do I need a meter of some kind then? I can borrow one. I don't really know anything about auto elec. What's the method for doing that?
What model and year jeep u got, I might be able to show you where to download a repair manual. Did a lot of work on my 95 zj, with a manual and help from the guys on the Jeep forum. I would check the relay first but you need to know where it is exactly first One thread http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f310/99-wj-electric-fan-not-working-relay-fan-1374700/
HDR, thanks. I'm a JF member for a few years now. I already changed out the relay, since almost all the research pointed to that as the likely culprit. Had to pull the passenger headlight and Dremel a hole in the plastic bucket to do it. Put the piece I cut out back in and sealed with some very good caulk. Still no worky, but now I have a brand spanky new relay. woo-freakin-hoo. It's an '03 Grand with the 4.0, auto, Selectrac.
They don't have an 03 manual but they do have 2004 WJ Service Manual (87 mb) and 2003 WJ Parts List (9 mb) The manual is like 2300 pages so , a lot of in depth info Go here http://www.jeepslimited.com/ you must sign up to download manuals , its free, log in go to downloads at the top , click on file downloads and find your manuals. Look around , there is a lot of other info on the site. Weather you need it for the fan problem or not It's a good thing to have, cost you over a 100 bucks to buy one. It isn't a Haynes or Chilton crap manual, its a factory service manual
fast way to check fan motor, disconnect fan from wiring harness( inspect connection for corrosion) jumper pos and neg from battery direct to fan terminals( connecter ) it will either run or not. Note that in todays units most everything is run via computer. Basic function is to switch the neg leg of the circuit in and out meaning that there is a constant potential( pos. Voltage) applied to the device at all times. Anology would be like your water supply in house water under pressure at tap doesn't run until valve opened. Most common problem is a bad neg connection ( refered to as ground but isn't really any more) Relays seldom go bad but the terminals in the sockets do get corroded typically the computer to coil ones as this is very low volt/ amp signal additionaly there may be a fuse in the circuit in the electrical distribution box located in the engine compartment.
HDR, I think I may have the parts list....not sure about the manual. I'm also a member there. The '04s have a slightly different setup. chris, from what I've read, the signal is pulse width modulated from the computer. The PDC fuse is good, and I swapped with a different 40 amp also. Pulled the connectors too......clean as a whistle at the fan end and also at the relay. I'll try jumping to the battery. If the heater works, the pump is good, right. Thermostat? Rad. cap? Problem is, the fan doesn't come on at all. Maybe the temp. sensor isn't working, so the fan doesn't get a signal to kick on.
I was going to recommend this but since you have already done it you should be good to go. It's sounding more like it's the fan motor itself or the wiring coming up to the relay.
I've also read that it may be a bad idea to put a mech. fan on unless also replacing the water pump. I have no idea if this is the original pump. I noticed the lower driver side screw that holds the shroud on is going to be a bear to get at, so that I can get the fan out. I just hate the idea of ordering the e-fan, installing, then having it not work. I can just hook up the connectors, and run it for a bit to see if it works. Gotta' do this soon, before the warmer weather gets here......if it gets here.
I guess you're pretty sure it's the fan itself at this point. Wouldn't hurt to do a block test either - it checks for combustion gases in the coolant, early head gasket issues. or sniff the overflow - if your sniffer is good.
Not losing any coolant, if that's what you're getting at. I found a fan on the Bay and bought it. Now, all I need to do is get the old one out. It was comparatively inexpensive. It only needs to last a couple years......longer would of course be gooder.
Quick fan test for most cars with e-fans, turn on the AC. Fan must run for airflow over the condenser or else the AC doesn't work, so when you turn the AC on, the computer turns the fan on, regardless of the engine coolant temperature. If it doesn't run, try swapping the relay (usually inexpensive, might even be common with another relay on the car ). Still doesn't work? Check for voltage at the fan connector, if you get power, replace the fan. If you have a ground switched electrical system, and are not VERY confident in your ability, get a professional opinion at least before you go replacing parts. These systems can get complicated fast and do not troubleshoot the same way as a traditional electrical system would. I would recommend a detailed schematic at the very least before attempting to do your own repairs. There are often multiple power, signal, ground, and/or monitoring circuits in each connector and getting it all sorted out is at least a multi-beer event.
The AC trick is something I already tried......no luck. Replaced the fan relay under the headlight because most threads I read on JF and elsewhere said that was the usual culprit. The fuse in the PDC got swapped with another identical 40 amp, and also,.....no luck. Next in line as a cause was the fan itself. If the new fan I have on the way doesn't fix it, I guess it'll get taken to my local guy for a diagnosis. More money, but you're right, swapping parts isn't always a good solution. No beer. I know, blasphemy around here, but I don't drink much anymore.
I earn my supper fixing broken things and don't drink at all. How I remain sane (and that's certainly arguable) is beyond me.
