Over heating radiator fans aren't coming on?

Tiny
VIPERKING75
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 FORD FOCUS
  • 2.0L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 135,000 MILES
I've got an 04 focus SVT, the radiator fans aren't coming on, ive got power everywhere, but im not getting a ground signal to the relays to turn them on in high or low, relays all test good, fuses are good, and the fans work when power is supplied, the coolant temp sensor was replaced with the thermostat a few months ago, the resistance on the sensor is good and fluctuates normaly with temp changes. There is not a head temp sensor, are there any other sensors that the pcm uses in order to call for the fans to come on? Side note, AC system doesn't work, due to a lack of refrigerant
Thursday, February 26th, 2026 AT 6:55 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 55,478 POSTS
This car only has the engine coolant sensor going to the PCM to tell the fans to kick on. So I would use a scanner to see what the PCM thinks the temperature is, this can tell us if the PCM is bad or not. Also, see if there are any trouble codes as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBCpCWEFnTg

Also, double check the electrical connector at the coolant sensor, if you have a bad connection the fans will not come on and you should have a check engine light. Let me know what you find. Ken
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Friday, February 27th, 2026 AT 8:00 AM
Tiny
VIPERKING75
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Check engine light only shows an oxygen sensor issue and a bulb out. Vehicle reads temp around 190 when warmed up, I was worried it maybe the pcm just not sending signal, it does show ambient at -40 but I wouldn't image that would have anything to do with the fans
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Friday, February 27th, 2026 AT 1:40 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Yep, it can, so please unplug the ambient air sensor, (MAF sensor) to see if the reading changes and the fan come on when hot, just let the engine idle for a while and read the temperature. Please let me know, Ken
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Saturday, February 28th, 2026 AT 9:37 AM
Tiny
VIPERKING75
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Not really sure what happened, I forced the high speed relay on with ignition for a day, tested it again today and everything seems to be working correctly now
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Saturday, February 28th, 2026 AT 10:19 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Nice! We will take the win, let me know if the problem comes back. Have a good week, Ken
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Sunday, March 1st, 2026 AT 11:04 AM

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