1998 Chrysler T&C minivan both cooling fans wont turn off

waltham41 · #1 07-10-2007, 04:24 PM

Drove to town today, and shut engine off, noticed for the first time that the cooling fan was still running, opened the hood and saw that the AC and engine cooling fans were both running. Engine temp gauge showed fine on temp, no overheat alarm or light. Had been running the ac, but it is not near as hot today as it has been lately.

Went to the store and was inside about 20 mins and came back out and both fans were still running, so a relay was stuck somewhere I think.

This van has front A/C only, not front and rear.

I got home and opened the fuse housing, and removed any relay that had the word fan in it and the fans kept running.

I finally took the negative battery cable off, and the fans stopped. I waited a few seconds and touched the cable end to the battery and they did not start back up again. I will next hook up the battery cable and start the engine and shut it off and see if they are running, if not I will start it up and turn on the A/C and then turn it off and shut off the engine and see if they are running.

Has anyone had this happen to them? If so, what did it turn out being?

Thanks!

KManiac · #2 07-10-2007, 06:55 PM

Search this forum for my post on radiator fans and fan relay.

When the fan relay in my 1998 T&C failed, it first kept the fans running continuously. I, too, removed the fuse and kept it out for awhile. When I replaced, the fans did not run. The next day, in 100 degree heat with the A/C running in heavy traffic, the van overheated because the fans did not start again.

You need to replace the fan relay. The fan relay is screwed to the radiator support, under the air filter box. You need to remove the air filter box to reveal the relay. Buy the relay from an auto parts store, not the dealer because the dealer will ream you big time for just the part. To replace yourself takes about 30 minutes and a few simple tools.

Let us know what you do and find.

waltham41 · #3 07-10-2007, 07:26 PM

Many thanks for the info, I went out and did some more tinkering on it after posting my original post, and it seems that the A/C system may need to be topped off with refrigerant, or else the compressor is trying to go out.

It is cycling on and off in a very slow cycle with it only running a few seconds and then not trying again for half a minute or so.

Now that I look back, over the last few weeks the air conditioner has not been as cold and the compressor seems to have gotten noisier, so I hope it is not a major leak.

I hope putting more refrigerant in it will fix that problem, then I will tackle the relay.

We have had this van for 5 or 6 months and this is the first real problem it has given us, other than replacing the front brake pads,

I will make sure to give an update when I get it all fixed.

Thanks again!

KManiac · #4 07-11-2007, 06:20 AM

Regarding your A/C, especially if you are a do-it-yourselfer, don't assume the system is low on refrigerant just because it cycles on and off as you describe. Put gauges on the system and measure both the high and low side system pressures to determine the problem and before you attempt to add refrigerant. Too high a system pressure will cause the cycling you describe and can be caused by the lack of cooling brought on by cooling fans not working correctly. Fix the fans first before tackling the A/C problem.

waltham41 · #5 07-11-2007, 09:24 AM

Since I unhooked the battery , the cooling fan or fans (I am not sure if one or both come on when the ac is on havent looked just heard from under hood) come on now when you turn on the ac and shut off when you turn it off, even though the compressor is not turning on.

I plan on buying the kit with the gauge, will it cover both the low and high side pressure readings?

I will have to find the readings also, my hanes doesnt give this info, just says take it to a professional, I prefer Chiltons, but they are hard to find around here anymore.

I will check with autozone and see how much the relay switch is .

THanks!

RickMN · #6 07-11-2007, 09:53 AM

The DIY kit will only work on the low side.

KManiac · #7 07-11-2007, 10:21 AM

Be careful with the gauge kits. The high-side gauge fitting is larger than the low-side fitting. I bought a test gauge designed for the low-side that came with a quick-release, high-side adapter. It worked great until I tried to remove the gauge from the system. I mistakenly released the gauge from the adapter instead of the system and vented the entire system. I had to take it to a shop to recharge it. My bad. Learn from my experience. Buy a high-side gauge without an adapter to prevent what happened to me.

waltham41 · #8 07-11-2007, 11:00 AM

I went out this morning and turned the key on..... no engine fans.

I started up the van.... no engine fans

I turned on the A/C, heard compressor clutch kick in, cold air from vents.......no engine fans.

I got out and felt the AC lines, the one was hot the other cold, and then the compressor started cycling on and off and the one line got very hot very fast, and the other line went from cold to cool very fast and the air inside the van went from cold to barely cool very fast.

Arent the fans supposed to come on when the A/C is on?

Could my problem be that the fans are not comming on to help cool the compressor?

The A/C has been working good with cold air, but the last month it has had a progressively harder time keeping cold air inside the van but we have been attributing this to the rising temps as summer arrived.

Now I am wondering if it is the compressor, the fans, the compressor and the fans, or what.

Any suggestions will be most appreciated.

waltham41 · #9 07-20-2007, 08:21 PM

Just wanted to update, I had said that at an idle the AC started out cold but turned warm quickly, and the compressor started cycling on and off.

I have discovered that at highway speed, the AC works fine. That makes me think that it is the fans not turning on and cooling the compressor at low speeds or sitting.

It has been close to 100 degrees and I have not hears or seen the fans come on.

I am going to change the fan relay and see if that fixes the problem.

kenny49 · #10 07-21-2007, 10:24 PM

change the relay as previously mentioned. i was able to change mine by using a 1/4 " drive and laying under vehicle, also was able to reach thru aux light hole in lower bumper to assist. relay is located on left frame rail, inside next to radiator.

waltham41 · #11 07-21-2007, 10:46 PM

I plan to change the relay, have to wait for payday of course, will let you guys know if that fixes the problem

Many thanks!

waltham41 · #12 08-05-2007, 08:44 PM

Thanks for the help guys, I finally got that fan relay and got it put on today, the fans now come on when the A/C is on while the vehicle is sitting, hopefully it will stay fixed.

Was easy to fix, removed the battery, battery box and air filter system and it was then easy to get to.

If the fans quit or stick on again, I will let everyone know, but for now, I am going to mark this one as fixed.

Thanks again!

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