Radiator Cooling Fans Not Functioning?

Tiny
CBELL_2
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 FORD TAURUS
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 66,000 MILES
While driving in 100 deg weather the A/C begins blowing hot air and smoke blows from under the hood. After I stopped and turned off the engine for a few minutes, restarted, everything seems to be working fine including the A/C but the two cooling fans do not come on at all. Any suggestions on where to start the troubleshooting for the fans not working?
Tuesday, July 29th, 2008 AT 1:06 PM

32 Replies

Tiny
KLSHIEL
  • MECHANIC
  • 163 POSTS
It sounds like the engine may have over heated. Start by making sure both the radiator and the reservoir are full. The electric cooling fans are turned on by a temperature sensor. The sensors could be bad or there may be a bad connection somewhere. This guide can help us fix it.

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

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-an-electric-cooling-fan-works

Please run down these guides and report back.

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Tuesday, July 29th, 2008 AT 1:32 PM
Tiny
PAINTERTAZ65
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 FORD TAURUS
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 63,567 MILES
I have a 2003 taurus and I dont think the cooling fans are coming on. I turned on the air condtiong and the defroster and they did not come on. I was told that they should come on automatically when you turn those on. I alos noticed that every now and then I get a little steam that comes from the grille area. Of course every time I stop to check there is nothing leaking and the coolant level is fine. I ahve a new fan relay and since I do not drive very far every day and it has been cold here in michigan I dont think it is getting hot enough to over heat. Which relay is for the cooling fans?
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Monday, August 24th, 2020 AT 10:49 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
Fan comes on only when needed ac on or off
Putting it on def will cause it to come on faster if needed but its cold will take long time
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Monday, August 24th, 2020 AT 10:49 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BENNIEYES
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 FORD TAURUS
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 130,000 MILES
My radiator fans won't come on and the engine overheats. What could be the problem.
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Monday, August 24th, 2020 AT 10:49 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Hi bennieyes, Welcome to 2carpros and TY for he donation

Check all these fuses no.2 30amp and 9 40amp in the battery junction box at front center of engine compartment behind the radiator and fuse no.25 2amp in central junction box under left side of dash if all these fuses checked out and the ground point G105 on right front side of engine is good-do below

Lets start by checking the fan relays if okay test the engine coolant temperature sensor, last stop should be the computer controlled of the fan relays circuits
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-1
Monday, August 24th, 2020 AT 10:49 AM (Merged)
Tiny
GARY69PONTIAC
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 FORD TAURUS
Engine Cooling problem
2002 Ford Taurus 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic

hi the cooling fans do not come on at all. I have checked all fuses and relays and changed the temp sender and temp switch theres is power to the relays I have tested the fans they are fine also they do not come on even with the ac on
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Monday, August 24th, 2020 AT 10:49 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
CHECK FOR CODES
check coolant fan resister (near cooling fan )
check for good ground (black wire, front of right front fender )
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Monday, August 24th, 2020 AT 10:49 AM (Merged)
Tiny
WE3BAILEYS
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
  • 1999 FORD TAURUS
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 127,000 MILES
Radiator fan will not come on when car reaches appropriate temp (190). Replaced engine coolant temp sensor and temp sender. Checked wiring harness to primary fan, no voltage.

Both primary and secondary fans will come on when the AC or defrost is turned on.

What do I check next?
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Monday, August 24th, 2020 AT 10:49 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
Do you have any codes
or check engine light on
is the engine overheating as 190 is an operating temp and no need for the fan to come on
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Monday, August 24th, 2020 AT 10:49 AM (Merged)
Tiny
WE3BAILEYS
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
No codes and no check engine light. When sitting and the engine running, the engine temp will continue to rise. I dont let it get above 210 without switching on the defrost or AC to make the fans kick on. What temp should the fan kick in at?

I have also replaced the relay and the radiator and recovery tank are full.
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Monday, August 24th, 2020 AT 10:49 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ATLASGLOBAL
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1999 FORD TAURUS
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 130,000 MILES
My cooling fans do not come on until the car is about to over heat. Then both fans come on at the same time
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Monday, August 24th, 2020 AT 10:49 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RICHZOMBIE
  • MECHANIC
  • 173 POSTS
First test the engine coolant temp. Sensor, if ok have the pcm tested.
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Monday, August 24th, 2020 AT 10:49 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ATLASGLOBAL
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
What is the pcm?
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Monday, August 24th, 2020 AT 10:49 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RICHZOMBIE
  • MECHANIC
  • 173 POSTS
It stands for powertrain control module. It's basically the main computer.
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Monday, August 24th, 2020 AT 10:49 AM (Merged)
Tiny
TISENHOUR
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
  • 1999 FORD TAURUS
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 226,369 MILES
Okay so here is what is happening.I had the headgasket replaced last week. Drove the car on the interstate for about 90 miles and everything was fine. However when I did some in town driving the (place where the coolant goes) started to bubble out of the top. So I have figured out both of my cooling fans are not working. Can you tell me if there is a way to check and see if it is the relay, sensor, or the acutual fan motor that needs to be replaced. Again the car only begins to overheat while idle or going at a low rate of speed. Interstate driving is fine with the vehicle. SO QUESTION HOW DO I CHANGE THE COOLING FAN RELAY? SO HOW CAN I FIND OUT IF IT IS THE RELAY OR THE COOLING FAN MOTOR? DOES THIS SOUND LIKE A COOLING FAN PROBLEM?
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Monday, August 24th, 2020 AT 10:49 AM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
This car has a 2 speed fan system and the 2 speeds are controlled by separate relays so chances are slim that a relay is the problem however they are both powered by the same fuse. The location is shown in the diagram. If you do find the fuse blown, it could be an indication of an overload problem from the fan motor itself.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/561653_Relays_99_Taurus_1.jpg

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Monday, August 24th, 2020 AT 10:49 AM (Merged)
Tiny
TISENHOUR
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
So I am assuming number 9 is the cooling fan fuse since since the other cooling fan slot is for the relay? So I should get two relays and one fuse so I can properly test correct? Sorry I dont know the first thing about cars and trying to do this on a budget
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Monday, August 24th, 2020 AT 10:49 AM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
With the ability you seem to have you are going o be very limited here. About all you can do yourself is replace the fuse. Anything beyond that is going to require some in depth electrical testing and I don't think you will be able to grasp that.
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Monday, August 24th, 2020 AT 10:49 AM (Merged)
Tiny
NAILER
  • MEMBER
  • 14 POSTS
  • 1999 FORD TAURUS
Heater problem
1999 Ford Taurus 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 120xxx miles

If I put the heater on in any position both radiator cooling fans come on. I noticed the ac compressor is also cycling on and off. The only position of the heater switch which the fans don't run is the vent position. With both fans running the engine temperature never gets up to the cold mark on the temperature guage.
Is this a problem with the heater control switch or is there a faulty relay causing this?
I'm changing the thermostat today because even with the fans not running the engine does not warm up.
Really greatful for you web site. Always find good help here. Keep up the good work.
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Monday, August 24th, 2020 AT 10:49 AM (Merged)
Tiny
NAILER
  • MEMBER
  • 14 POSTS
Got the thermostat in ( what a pain)
Engine is warming up now but I still have the issue of AC coming on in any position other than vent.
I know in some cars the AC comes on in defrost mode to remove moisture but it shouldn't be running in floor or panel mode.
Suggestions?
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Monday, August 24th, 2020 AT 10:49 AM (Merged)

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