Where is the cooling fan sensor switch located?

Tiny
EKTHOR
  • MEMBER
  • 2011 FORD ESCAPE
  • 3.0L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 160,000 MILES
Cooling fans won't turn. If I disconnect the coolant temperature sensor the fans do turn on. I bought the Motorcraft part #SW5110 which is the cooling fan switch, but I can't find where it is located.
Saturday, July 29th, 2023 AT 3:04 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,097 POSTS
Hi,

The part number you provided isn't for this vehicle. I attached a pic below of the cooling fan wiring schematic.

On this vehicle, the cylinder head temperature sensor is what is used to determine cooling fan operation via the PCM.

Let me know if this helps or makes things more confusing. LOL

Take care,

Joe

See pics below. Note: I had to cut the schematic in half to make it readable. I did overlap the two so you can follow from one to the next.
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Saturday, July 29th, 2023 AT 10:24 PM
Tiny
EKTHOR
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
That would explain why I couldn't find it on the car. So that cylinder head temperature sensor is the one that goes under the intake?
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Saturday, July 29th, 2023 AT 10:43 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,097 POSTS
Hi,

I don't believe this one is under the intake. It should be on the passenger side cylinder head (above the exhaust manifold).

If you look below, I attached some information to help you locate it and replace it.

Let me know if this helps.

Take care,

joe

See pics below.
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Saturday, July 29th, 2023 AT 11:07 PM
Tiny
EKTHOR
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I don't see anything above the exhaust manifold. There is no wire harness there. I'm looking between the firewall and back side of engine above the exhaust manifold.
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Sunday, July 30th, 2023 AT 9:47 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,097 POSTS
Hi,

I just looked at the pics I sent. It is showing two different locations and I didn't realize that. I reattached a pic below and circled the thermostat housing and have an arrow pointing to the sensor. Based on that, it would be under the intake.

I went to two different manuals and they both seem to contradict each other. Check in the area where I have the arrow pointing to see if you find it. Also, I highlighted the area where I believe it should be in pic 2. They just don't provide a clear picture in either manual.

Let me know.

Joe

See pics below.
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Sunday, July 30th, 2023 AT 8:25 PM
Tiny
EKTHOR
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
The one with the red arrow I replaced. That is the coolant temperature sensor that displays the temperature on dashboard. If I unplug that one the fans both turn on. If I plug it back in and turn the car off and on the fans don't come on. As soon as I unplug it, they come on.
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Sunday, July 30th, 2023 AT 9:04 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,097 POSTS
Hi,

What you described is usually the result of a faulty sensor. The sensor in the pic above is the CHT sensor. See pic below.

That is the only one I can find. Also, that is the sensor used to turn on the radiator cooling fans. I attached the wiring schematic for the cooling fan circuit. The sensor used is the CHT. See pics below.

I had to cut the schematic in half to make it readable, but I did overlap it so you can follow from one to the next.

Have you tried scanning the can-bus to see if there are codes stored in the module?

Let me know.

Joe

See pics below.
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Monday, July 31st, 2023 AT 8:36 PM

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