Radiator fans run nonstop.

[tsto]

We have a 2006 Grand Caravan and the radiator fans run nonstop. I've checked the fuse box and there is no relay designated for the radiator fans only a fuse. I've located a metal block riveted to the front frame (bumber) area in which the fans wiring run to. Is this a relay? What could be the problem?

P.S. the car was sitting in the garage for hours in 20 degree weather and the fans just started to run.

Thanks

[danielsatur]

Not good, because of poor emissions, wear, and Tear on your electric coolant fan.

Suspect a bad sending unit for coolant fan, or a stuck on relay.

[RIP]

You've found the radiator cooling fan relay and it is the problem. Not a typical electro mechanical relay but, a solid state pulse width modulated "switch" that gets very hot, therefore, it uses the frame and surrounding air as a heat sink for cooling. They regularly fail making the fans stay on or not come on at all.

[tonytog]

Hi I am having he same problem on a 1998 Voyager witha 3.3 engine Is The Radiator Fan Relay Swich is Located in the same area and look the same on my year and make??? Any help would be appreciatted.

[RIP]

Originally Posted by tonytog

Hi I am having he same problem on a 1998 Voyager witha 3.3 engine Is The Radiator Fan Relay Swich is Located in the same area and look the same on my year and make??? Any help would be appreciatted.

No and no. On your van it's mounted on the frame down low next to the radiator and has no cooling fins on it. This video should get you there: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdIYm9kM5E0

Tip. Spin the fans by hand to make sure they aren't binding. A binding fan can draw higher current and fry the relay.

[tonytog]

Thanks Rip, I can see it under the air box. It will be a day or two before I get around to changing it out. Use the other car for a few days. Thanks I ll check back to tell everyone if it worked. How hard is it to remove the air box???

[RIP]

Originally Posted by tonytog

Thanks Rip, I can see it under the air box. It will be a day or two before I get around to changing it out. Use the other car for a few days. Thanks I ll check back to tell everyone if it worked. How hard is it to remove the air box???

Couple of bolts at the top, loosen two clamps on the air ducks and pull off a small tube. Not at all hard to do.

[tonytog]

So i needed an excuse to take a day off from work anyway. so I took today. Went to 2 auto part stores and neither had the relay in stock. so I got one from the dealer. Not to bad $65.

Air box came out easy enough once I figurged out the airfilter box was a separte piece from the intake tube piece.

Replaced the relay after figuring out the "clip". The red slide is obvious enough But I havent done something like this in awhile and thought you "Lifted " up on the tab like we used to. Accedently pushed down on it and poped right out. Took longer to unclip the thing then to do the whole job.

Needless to say WE HAVE FANS. Good day to test them too. In NY today was 85 degress and ran with the A/C on and off and temp gauge stayed right were it has always been.

So thanks again to RIP and everyone else on this wonderful forum.

[tonytog]

Oh and the faans do spin freely.