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Cooling fan not working properly

Tiny
JASPER MUYCO
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE
  • 2.3L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 75,000 MILES
I have a cooling fan problem. I do not know exactly what it is but I can describe in detail what happens. The story starts when I changed my spark plugs to iridium coming from just a regular spark plug. And after that I immediately saw that when I turn on the ac, the passenger side fan is the only one that turns on. Although the driver side fan does turn on, it is only a couple of seconds after I turn on the ac and the passenger side fan gains full spinning power. After ignoring the problem for approximately two months as of this month, I started to change the fan motor on the driver side (used ;previously saved from old cooling fan-oem). I have also changed the connector of the car to the cooling fan. After I turn on the ac, I saw that the driver side had gained full spinning power while the passenger side fan started to enact the behavior of the old driver side fan, which only turns on for a couple of seconds then stops while driver side fan gains full spinning power. So far I also changed the old wiring of the passenger side fan, but still the same behavior. I hope someone could help as I do not want to buy a new cooling fan assembly. I have tried checking the fuses by exchanging them and I still do not have progress.
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Tuesday, October 1st, 2019 AT 4:59 PM

9 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,942 POSTS
Hello,

Lets check for power at the motors to see if they are working correctly. Here is a guide to help test for power and the cooling fan wiring diagrams so you can see how the system works:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester

Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.
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Thursday, October 3rd, 2019 AT 1:34 PM
Tiny
JASPER MUYCO
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Forgive me but I don't have a voltmeter. Although I am still open on how to test it. I also have tested a few things in observance to the problem. First, when I turn on the car, and let it idle for a few minutes, I can still not see a fan turning on. It is only when I turn on the ac when the fan on the driver side turns on, although there is some initial power delivered to the passenger side fan but does not turn on completely. Second, is when I put the key to on, not the ignition and turn he ac on. I have noticed that in another car when I so this is that the fan turns on, but when I did it to my car, not even one fan turns on. I am planning to buy a voltmeter, but not in how many weeks, but would be open for some alternatives in how to diagnose the exact problem.
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Thursday, October 3rd, 2019 AT 2:06 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,942 POSTS
All you need is a test light. Lets check fuses #5, 22 and 24. Please make sure they are good. And get back yo me please. Also the relays.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-fuse

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-an-electrical-relay-and-wiring-control-circuit

I should have had you do this first. Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what you find.
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Friday, October 4th, 2019 AT 11:59 AM
Tiny
JASPER MUYCO
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Sorry, I don't have a test light. But I replaced all the fuses and relays that you mentioned and highlighted. I also notice that when I take out the connection on the A/C condenser fan I notice that the driver side fan seems to be running normally. But when both fans are connected, only the driver side fan is working fully when I turn on the A/C.
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Monday, May 25th, 2020 AT 3:04 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,942 POSTS
This could be normal. The second fan may come on when the system is super heated. Does the system seem to work okay other than that?
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Tuesday, May 26th, 2020 AT 1:39 PM
Tiny
JASPER MUYCO
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
I had an electrician check it yesterday and that the blue wire on the passenger side fan does not have voltage when normally they would both turn on when the A/C is turned on. While I notice that it briefly turns on (passenger fan) then the driver side fan quickly gains speed. I checked the fuses 5, 22, and 24 and they are not burnt.
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Tuesday, May 26th, 2020 AT 2:51 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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The dark blue wire is for the high speed fan which may not come on until high pressure (temperature) is present. does the system work correctly other than the fan not coming on?

Lets check the relays next use this guide:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-an-electrical-relay-and-wiring-control-circuit

Please run down this guide and report back.

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Friday, May 29th, 2020 AT 10:35 AM
Tiny
JASPER MUYCO
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I checked the relays and the contact was not corroded. I also replaced all the relays that was related to the cooling fan. This all came about after I replaced all the spark plugs and only one fan would turn on when I turn on the A/C, which would normally be two.
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Friday, May 29th, 2020 AT 5:57 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,942 POSTS
It sounds like one of the fan motors is not working. lets test for power and ground at the motors. this guide should help:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-electric-fan-motor

Please run down this guide and report back.

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Saturday, May 30th, 2020 AT 11:06 AM

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