96 Continental cooling fans won't stop.

[suferdude]

All of sudden the two cooling fans came on even though it very cool outside and the engine temp is normal. Even after the engine is off for a while they are still running. I pulled the fuse and they stopped. Any Ideas.

[Towncar]

Consider this as basic information:
«1996 Continental Table of Contents»
«Group 03: ENGINE»
«Section 03-03: Engine Cooling»
«DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION»

Electrical System

Note:
With A/C ON, the cooling fan motors will run continuously. Cooling fan motors will not cycle ON and OFF with A/C clutch.

Note:
An exception to this is when vehicle speed is over 61 km/h (38 mph) and coolant temperature is below 100°C (212°F), and A/C head pressure is below 1.71 MPA (250 psi). The cooling fan motors will then automatically shut off.

The cooling fan motors are mounted within a fan shroud behind the radiator. The constant control relay module (CCRM) actuates the cooling fan motors when:

• The engine coolant reaches a specified temperature.
• When the engine reaches a specified speed.
• When the A/C clutch is activated.

Parts of this excerpt are disturbing:

«1996 Continental Table of Contents»
«Group 03: ENGINE»
«Section 03-03: Engine Cooling»
«DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION»

Cooling Fan, Electric

WARNING:
THE ENGINE ELECTRIC COOLING FAN MOTOR MAY COME ON AT ANY TIME WITHOUT WARNING WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH IN THE RUN POSITION, EVEN IF THE ENGINE IS NOT RUNNING.

The fan control system consists of:

• The constant control relay module (CCRM).
• The powertrain control module (PCM).
• Related wiring.
• Two, two-speed cooling fan motors attached to a fan shroud located behind the radiator.

The constant control relay module (CCRM) is connected electrically to the:

• powertrain control module.
• A/C cycling switch.
• A/C clutch coil circuit.
• cooling fan motors.

The cooling fan motors are wired to operate only when ignition switch is in the RUN position, thereby preventing radiator electric motor operation after the ignition switch is turned to the OFF position.


More on that CCRM:

«1996 Continental Table of Contents»
«Group 03: ENGINE»
«Section 03-03: Engine Cooling»
«DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION»

Constant Control Relay Module

WARNING:
DISCONNECT THE COOLING FAN MOTORS PRIOR TO PERFORMING ANY UNDERHOOD SERVICE SINCE THE COOLING FAN MOTORS COULD CYCLE IF THE IGNITION SWITCH IS LEFT IN THE ON POSITION EVEN THOUGH THE ENGINE IS NOT RUNNING.

The cooling fan motor is controlled during vehicle operation by the constant control relay module (CCRM) and powertrain control module (PCM), which will energize the cooling fan motors under the following conditions:

Cooling fan motors will run at low speed if:

a. Engine temperature is higher than normal. Cooling fan motors start running at 102°C (216°F) and stops running at 100°C (212°F).

b. A/C is on and vehicle speed does not provide enough natural airflow. Cooling fan motors will stop running at speeds over 61 km/h (38 mph) if coolant temperature is below 100°C (212°F) and A/C head pressure is below 1.71 MPA (250 psi).

Cooling fan motors will run at high speed if:

a. Note: Cooling fan motors will not cycle with the A/C clutch. The cooling fan motors will come on when the A/C switch is turned ON.

Engine temperature is higher than desirable and cooling fan motors have been operating at a low speed. Cooling fan motors start running at high speed when coolant temperature exceeds 109°C (228°F) and return to low speed when coolant temperature drops to 106°C (222°F).

A wide-open throttle (WOT) A/C cutout is used during hard acceleration. A signal is sent to the powertrain control module which then signals the constant control relay module (CCRM) to cut off power to the A/C clutch field coil. This keeps the engine from being overloaded.

[suferdude]

Thanks for the info. BUT, the car has been off all night, the AC is off. I put the fuse in and the both cooling fan motors start running again. Could either the CCRM or the PCM be malfunctioning and need to be replaced? Fortunately it's cool here in central Florida right now.

[Towncar]

Originally Posted by suferdude

...Could either the CCRM or the PCM be malfunctioning and need to be replaced?.....

Well, I would first guess the CCRM or PCM is receiving a bad signal from one of the sensors they monitor. That could mean a bad connection on a sensor, bad sensor, shorted wire, etc.

I'm no electrical Guru but it might be as complicated as testing each suspected sensor, and at minimum.. checking their connections.

I could get you a copy of the 1996 FSM CD if you need one.. PM me for a download link.

[suferdude]

What's the download link? I'm going to check the wiring. Thanks.

[Towncar]

Originally Posted by suferdude

What's the download link? I'm going to check the wiring. Thanks.

I sent it to you in a PM.

[suferdude]

I was driving the car today with the cooling fan fuse out. I got into some heavy traffic and noticed that the temp gauge was starting to run a little hot. I stopped the car and put the fuse in so the fans could cool the engine and took off. When I got to my destination I turned the car off the noticed the fans were no longer running without pulling the fuse out. I no longer have a problem. Now my next problem is fixing the leaking power steering and dripping oil out of the engine-among many. many other things wrong with this crappy car.