Dropping resistor

96wWindstar180K · #1 07-26-2007, 06:43 PM

Great call Wiswind I removed the dropping resistor today and the wires were corroded off. I unplugged it and the new one comes tomorrow. Anyone that is missing there low fan operation and only running on high look to the dopping resistor. Check out Wiswinds General Information. Easy fix. I wish everything was that easy.

MARZBX157 · #2 07-27-2007, 05:56 PM

I have both the hanes manual and the ford repair cd and cannot find anything on a dropping resistor. I did find something on the cd under air conditioning called an A/C pressure Transducer which sends signals to the PCM and fits the description of the dropping resistor. My question, is the dropping resistor exclusive to the 95-98 model? or did Ford just change the name to A/C pressure transducer for 99-03 models? I have a 00 windstar with the 3.8L V6.

wiswind · #3 07-27-2007, 06:54 PM

I cannot directly answer that....I DO have a couple of pictures posted that show the location of the radiator fan low speed dropping resistor, on my '96.....and you could look at that location and see if you have one there......
Of course.....if not....they could have just moved it.

I have been mentioning it because, after installing a auxillary transmission fluid cooler......I noticed (by feel) how cool the cooler was with the fans on.....and how hot it was with them off.
Now....one thing that is hard on the transmission......is stop and go traffic.....and.....the auxillary cooler does very little without the radiator fans ON.
Keeping my A/C on in stop and go traffic keeps my radiator fans ON at low speed......cooling my transmission fluid.
So.....it is my personal theory (I am not an authority by any means) that this little part (dropping resistor) is a factor in transmission life......make sure that this cheap (as compared to a transmission) part is working....and you transmission will thank you.

96wWindstar180K · #4 07-27-2007, 07:36 PM

MARZBX157
Just looked in the Haynes manual and they say that there are relays for years after 97. They look to be buy the fuse box in the engine compartment. Bad picture. That doesnt mean that they still dont have the dropping resistor though. The relays in the 96 are incorporated in the ccrm. Look behind the pasenger headlight for a ceramic oval shaped piece.

96wWindstar180K · #5 08-02-2007, 09:34 PM

wiswind
Got my dropping resistor today and installed it in about 5 minutes. I cant ever remember hearing the low speed fans. Thanks

wiswind · #6 08-04-2007, 11:04 AM

Hopefully this thread will get more people to verify their low speed radiator fan operation....and fix it, if they are not ON all the time when the vehicle is sitting still with the A/C ON.
It is a super cheap way to help the transmission fluid stay cooler.

MARZBX157 · #7 08-04-2007, 11:21 PM

I checked the vehicle with the engine running and A/C on and the fans were working, but I still have to find where my dropping resistor actually is located.

96wWindstar180K · #8 08-05-2007, 09:45 AM

MARZBX157
According to Hanes manual. I quote. On 1998 and later models, a CCRM is not used and the relays are sepeate units located at the engine compartment relay panel. The picture appears to show them on the outside of the box two of them. Hope this helps.

12Ounce · #9 08-05-2007, 11:33 AM

The dropping resistor is present on the '99 model ... and probably later ones .. even though it changes appearances somewhat. The relays, also always present, also did do some changes over the years ... by 2001 (IIRC) they became "just relays" (no longer special relay assemblies with unique mounting areas) ... located among the ones in the fuse box by the battery.

And it is a good point about how important the fans are for saving the transmissions.

I've considered installing a cabin located toggle switch, that would allow me to select a constant fan "hi speed on" whenever I'm caught in stop-and-go traffic or trailer towing.

searcherrr · #10 04-19-2008, 06:53 AM

I wonder if in my 95 this could be causing my engine to almost stall after the low fan's turn OFF.

What mechanisms are at work "in the action of" turning the low speed fan's off?

wiswind · #11 04-19-2008, 10:03 AM

The signal to the relays that control the radiator fans (high or low speed) comes directly from the PCM.
The PCM "decides" when the fans are on or off....and at what speed.

daveran2008 · #12 04-19-2008, 10:23 AM

12Ounce mentioned that the droping resistor is present on the 1999 model, and that it might look a little different. Can you in more detail explain where it is, and what appearence it may have?
Thanks
Daveran

mundy5 · #13 04-19-2008, 11:16 AM

wiswind et all,

what is the ford part number and what is this part called? I would like to keep that info in my files in the event the low speed fan stops running on my 2003 lx.

thanks,

mundy5

daveran2008 · #14 04-19-2008, 12:19 PM

I have called Ford parts and tried to explain this rather obscure part to them, that it is a ceramic resistor, what it is supposed to do, and the general location of where it is supposed to be found. Ford USA gave me this part number XF2Z14A601AB and stated that it was $72 and had to be ordered in. I then used this number and called Ford Canada and they gave me a price of $92 Canadian for this part, yesterday after explaining the part to them they quoted me $185 Canadian. So Telling them Where it is, What it looks like, what it does appears to be the only route you can take to ensure the correct part and price quote. Haynes does mention this part, and states that it is in the radiator fan wiring harness, that's it, no description of what it looks like, what it does, how to test it for failure or how to replace it.
Daveran

searcherrr · #15 04-19-2008, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daveran2008

I have called Ford parts and tried to explain this rather obscure part to them, that it is a ceramic resistor, what it is supposed to do, and the general location of where it is supposed to be found. Ford USA gave me this part number XF2Z14A601AB and stated that it was $72 and had to be ordered in. I then used this number and called Ford Canada and they gave me a price of $92 Canadian for this part, yesterday after explaining the part to them they quoted me $185 Canadian. So Telling them Where it is, What it looks like, what it does appears to be the only route you can take to ensure the correct part and price quote. Haynes does mention this part, and states that it is in the radiator fan wiring harness, that's it, no description of what it looks like, what it does, how to test it for failure or how to replace it.
Daveran

Daveran2008 - I have to wonder if that is the correct part or not because I cannot see a resistor costing that much unless there is something uniquely special about this dropping resistor unlike most other resistors. I'd have'm fax you an image if they can do it.

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