Dual Purpose fan never turns on?

Tiny
MYTHORIR
  • MEMBER
  • 2015 FORD FOCUS
  • 2.0L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 131,000 MILES
There is 1 fan for both the condenser and radiator. It never turns on. I have verified the relay is good. When the a/c is turned on and pressure is built up I tested the power, ground, and voltage at both the 3-wire connector for the fan control module, and after the module going directly to the fan. Both locations have continuity. There is no voltage after the control module going to the fan. The PCM signal wire going to the control module is showing voltage, but it's pretty low. What should that voltage be?

My concern is that the PCM is never actually sending the signal to the fan control module. How can I isolate the PCM and ensure that it is in fact sending that signal?

I don't have a super elaborate scan tool, but I do have a decent one. I can see the engine temperature going up through the scan tool, so coolant temperature sensor is sending the signal. The A/C compressor shuts off when the pressures get too high, so the A/C pressure switch is sending signal.
Monday, August 14th, 2023 AT 10:36 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,973 POSTS
It sounds like the fan control module is out which is common. Here are the radiator fan control wiring diagrams so you can see how the system works. There are three fuses that run the system. Please make sure they are good and have power.

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

The wiring diagrams show the fuses. Here is a new cooling fan module and motor on Amazon for $170.00:

https://amzn.to/45rKy50

Check out the images (below). Please let us know how it goes.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Tuesday, August 15th, 2023 AT 11:16 AM
Tiny
MYTHORIR
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I was thinking the control module, but it's been replaced twice this year and hasn't fixed the issue. That's why I was looking at the PCM.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, August 15th, 2023 AT 11:54 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,973 POSTS
I would check the ground #G105 at the left side of the engine compartment.

This guide can help:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

If the ground has resistance, it will cause the fan control module to go out. Also, we should run the codes to see if the coolant sensor is okay.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

Here is how to change out the PCM in case you need it, you can get a preprogrammed unit by searching Google or Ebay. Here is the coolant sensor as well. Please let me know how it goes. Check out the images (below).

Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Wednesday, August 16th, 2023 AT 11:03 AM
Tiny
MYTHORIR
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
There are no codes in the system, and my scan tool is reading the engine coolant temperature from the temperature sensor.

Okay. The voltage at the violet wire for pin 8 on the smaller connector of the PCM (harness 2) is the same as the voltage at the violet wire going into the fan control module. It's reading 130-138mV. Since those values are the same, it does seem like the fan control module.

I also checked every ground I could find, cleaned them up, and sanded away the paint under them to make sure they were as grounded as they could be.

I'm honestly not sure how much voltage the PCM is supposed to send through the signal wire, but less than 1V doesn't seem like much. The question now is if the PCM is sending enough voltage. If it is, then I guess I just confirmed that it is indeed the fan control module, and that the 2 parts replaced this year were both bad. If it isn't sending enough voltage, does that mean the PCM is bad?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, August 17th, 2023 AT 2:33 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,973 POSTS
The PCM varies the ground to the fan control module to control fan speed. I would get an OEM part.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, August 18th, 2023 AT 9:49 AM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links