Cooling fan not working properly

ALAN LE

MEMBER
2003 SATURN ION
2.2L
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
201,823 MILES

The cooling fan motor was making a lot of noise, I replaced it with the new fan. It seemed to work for a few days, replaced the battery. A few days later, the cooling fan stop response to the normal fan level, I replaced the sensor, still, it is not working as it should. Turn on the A/C the cooling fan is working, unplug the sensor wire the cooling fan is working fine. I plan to replace the thermostat and I plan to unplug the battery to reset the PCM.

3 Replies

SCGRANTURISMO

MECHANIC
4,897 POSTS

Hello,

In the diagrams down below, I have included a wiring diagram of your vehicle's cooling fan circuit. From what I can see from this wiring diagram, the cooling fans are either on or off, there is no multiple speed for the fan to run at. I say this because the electricity that is supplied to the fan to make it run comes from the cooling fan relay. The electricity for the control and power sides of the relay both come from fuse #45(30A), and the control side only energizes the electromagnetic coil when ground is provided from the Power-train Control Module (PCM). Then the power side of the relay has it's switch pulled closed providing power to the fan. You cannot ground the circuit harder to deliver more current to the fan to make it run faster. If you are concerned about it not running at multiple speeds, don't worry, it's running correctly.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros

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Saturday, June 15th, 2019 AT 2:12 AM

ALAN LE

MEMBER
4 POSTS

Thanks, Scwickedstang,
I did not see the diagram, please show me where. I am not concerned about it not running at multiple speeds, the cooling fan did not running as it should when the car temperature gauge reached 1/2 or 220 degrees Fahrenheit, which it did a few weeks ago. Should I replace the thermostat? Or reset the PCM? And how to reset the PCM?

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Saturday, June 15th, 2019 AT 6:15 AM

SCGRANTURISMO

MECHANIC
4,897 POSTS

Hello,

Sorry about that. I have a pulled calf muscle that is really bothering me and when it gets to screaming, sometimes I bug out and lay down to give it some rest and forget to post some things. My bad. I have included it in the diagrams down below for you. The thermostat should open at 195 degrees. I would start with the Engine Coolant Temperature sensor (ECT) and replace that first. I have included its location in the diagrams below as well. It's fairly simple, unplug the electrical connector and unscrew. I would recommend using Teflon tape around the threads when installing the new one. It wouldn't hurt to replace the thermostat also. I have included a link below for you to go to:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-thermostat

Please go through this guide and get back to us with what you find out.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros

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