Gr Carvn Overheats - Fan Not Working

[stb100]

Hi,
I have a 97 Grand Caravan ES 3.8 that seems to have a dead radiator fan. My wife drove this AM and, stuck in stop-n-go traffic, it overheated. Gauge spiked, lites lit up, etc. She pulled over. I came and traded cars, drove it home with no repeat of the above symptoms -- I was rolling the whole time, 15 mile trip. At home, popped hood w motor running and neither of the 2 fans were spinning. A/C was off. Temp gauge whole way home only topped at halfway (whether gauge is hosed, dunno). Radiator is still full of coolant.

Anyway, anyone know the culprit here...new relay?, new fan?, wiring...? Fan look like a bear to replace at 1st glance
THANKS in advance for any input to solve

STEVE in VA

[Airjer_]

There is a solid state fan relay that goes bad on these a lot. It is located on the driver side near the bumper. Having a scan tool makes it a little easier to figure out if its this, the fan, or the computer. They are available at your local NAPA for about $40.

[stb100]

THANKS. Was just reading about that relay on another site -WikiAnswers.
Wonder if worth it to just replace relay and not spring for scanner. Any idea about relay cost?

[Airjer_]

Yup!

Originally Posted by Airjer_

They are available at your local NAPA for about $40.

[Spit]

Relay is a good call. If you have a test light or a meter you can test for 12 volts at the fan harness connector. If the voltage is there and the fan doesn't run you could have a bad fan. I had to replace the relay on my 97 GC. I also had a 92 with fan problems and there a fusable link (wire) that blew.

[stb100]

Well...bought a new relay at NAPA. Only non-dealer place that had it (38.00 vs 90.00 at dlr--THANKS Airjer)

Installed and tried it. No fans. Shouldn't rad fan be on full-time? Or does teemp need to hit halfway mark on idiot gauge....Turned AC full on and no fan there either. Getting 12V reading at new relay (on outermost pins). [[I admit to being out of my depth here w elecktrisity ]].

Aarggh#@&*

[angus10]

The fans only come on when the coolant reaches a certain temperature. Which is where the coolant temp sensor comes in to play. Just idling in the driveway they may not turn on, take it for a ride and get it good and warmed up

[Airjer_]

And if your a/c is not working (compressor does not engage) the fan will not come on either.

[stb100]

THANKS folks for your right-on-the-mark help. New relay works. Was easier for me to install from above after pulling out air filter box, etc. Fans both work after short drive and idling at 2k rpm to run temp up to halfway on gauge.

HOWEVER... now the Check Engine Soon light is lit and hasn't gone out. Another one from the "stupid question department". How do I get rid of it?

As always, thanks in advance. AND thanks again, Airjer. Yes my Brake light was on because it needed fluid.

Steve in VA

[Airjer_]

9 times out of ten that will fix it!

[stb100]

Any idea on the "Check Engine Soon" lite???

THNX

[Airjer_]

Scan it and see what it is.

Your local parts store will probably be able to do this for you at no charge.

[stb100]

Can a simple batterry disconnect/reconnect make it turn off?

THANKS on the scanner tip. Didn't know but, Advance Auto nearby lets you use their scanner for free. Will see what's up.

[stb100]

Answer is YES re: Discon/reconnect neg battery cable to kill Service Engine Soon lite.

Done w/ this beast for awhile I hope.

THANKS again to all

[Spit]

I would suggest that you have the code read before you disco the battery and lose it. For all we know the code is something unrelated to the the fan problems. Auto Zone and Advance Auto both will read codes for free. Knowledge is Power. chances are it's a code telling you that the engine overheated...but why guess and why worry.

Spit