TB fan clutch

Add me to the long list of folks having trouble with the fan clutch on my 2002 TB...my problem seems to be the A/C not cooling on hot days because the clutch does not engage properly until we hit highway speed (when I don't really need a fan clutch).

What is the recommended fix for this problem? I do not wnat to reward GM for producing this defect, so how can I get my A/C back and not encounter the problem again?

I'd check online sources for the most updated fan clutch part. They are close to $200 IIRC. There are several ways to R/R the clutch. Owners have gotten them replaced without touching the radiator, only removing the top shroud. Being of the lesser tallented type, I would'nt hesistate doing this job myself. A dealer will charge you a good $600.

Joel

i was wondering if i could replace mine with an electric fan. there's a great write up on another forum about replacing the fan and fan clutch in s10's with the electric fan out of a ford taurus, and adding an electronic temp controller. get the controller for about $30, and the fan at a junkyard for about $25. they are using this setup when they do the 350 swap into the s10 also, and say it provides plenty of cooling power for that.

Woody, I'm sure an E-fan is possible on a GMT360 chassis with enough mods. Lots of discussions on E-fan conversion on other trailblazer forums. Problem is, the electrical systems on these trucks are pretty much maxed out. You'd need more alternator or more battery to keep everything running as designed if an E-fan was used.

Joel

This fan/shroud is a PITA to remove no matter how it is done took me 1.5 hours and chewed up hands, not taking the rad out

Thanks for all of the excellent replies but I have a few more questions. How can I tell if the new fan clutch is the most updated? Do I have to buy the part from GM to get a quality part? Does the latest version also require the PCM update? Does the DIY approach require any special tools?

Thanks

great forum

i was wondering if i could replace mine with an electric fan. there's a great write up on another forum about replacing the fan and fan clutch in s10's with the electric fan out of a ford taurus, and adding an electronic temp controller. get the controller for about $30, and the fan at a junkyard for about $25. they are using this setup when they do the 350 swap into the s10 also, and say it provides plenty of cooling power for that.

Wow, that is interesting. I am on the Jeep forums all the time ('98 Grand Cherokee-ZJ). I have an 4.0 I-6 in my ZJ, that is the fan many there use to replace the clutch style fan in ours too. IIRC they also buy a couple of relays and upgrade the alternator. I am an ani-Ford guy, must be good fans though. FWIW.

I picked up a brand new OEM Fan Clutch on Ebay for $170.00 for my 02' TB. I have yet to install though... gathering as much info as I can before I jump in.

I just had to replace the fan clutch on my 02 TB at 108k. Went by the Chevy dealership I used to wrk at and priced the part....260.00 with my "good buddy" discount.....then, checked with service for the labor...3 HOURS!!!

I bought the part at O'Rielly's for 200.00 and put it on myself in the driveway...in 45 MINUTES. Without removing the radiator or completely removing the shroud. Didn't even lose any antifreeze!

Ok... finished up last night installing the fan clutch on my TB. I rented the fan clutch wrench set from Advanced Auto Parts - that helped tremendously, but still requires a large crescent wrench to loosen the fan clutch hex nut. The complete job took me about 4 hours. Didn't have to remove the radiator or fan shroud... just loosened some screws and clamped it back a few inches - just enough to wiggle the old clutch out and the new one in. Put a piece of heavy cardboard between the shroud and the radiator to protect the coils. Glad I did... otherwise I would of damaged the radiator while removing the old clutch and installing the new one. Although it wasn't that difficult of a job. The majority of the time was spent figuring out the 'how to' part of it...

OK, the updated part # for '02-early '05 Trailvoy I6 fan clutch is 25790869. The re-flash is covered in TSB 04-01-38-019A. Good luck to all.