96 Ford Windstar Coolant Fans

JYIM87

MEMBER
1996 FORD WINDSTAR

Hi I have a 1996 Ford Windstar 3.8l and the radiator fans aren't turning. I took it to a mechanic and he said that the CCRM was bad so I replaced it along with a whole new fan assembly, since my radiator fan motor was dead. After replacing them, still no luck. I ran a wire from my battery to pins 3, 4 & 8, 10 on the CCRM to check if the fans would run and they did. So next I checked the coolant temp sensor and saw that it had been corroded so I changed it w/ hopes that that was the problem, but still not it. Finally I checked my PCM as well as I could. I ran wires again from the battery to pin 46 (High speed fan output to CCRM) and the fans ran, but when I put power to pin 28 (Low speed fan output to CCRM), nothing.
Forgot to mention that I've tried idling my car for about 15-20 minutes while reving waiting for it to heat up and no turn of the fans. But when I turn the A/C on both fans will kick on, after the vehicles running a little above average temp on the gauge, and will only be on for about 5 seconds then shut off for a couple minutes.
Please help! I'm pretty much fed up with it by now, but willing to try/check out anything.

4 Replies

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,814 POSTS

Welcome to 2carpros.

From symptom description, the cooling fan system seems to be working correctly now.

Just to clarify a couple of points you mentioned.

1. Fan works for a few seconds then turns off for a few minutes without A/C operating with temperature reading above average?

2. Is the coolant tank boiling or bubbling during this time?

3. Is coolant clear or dirty?

4. Is instrument cluster digital or analog?

5. Was it the ECT ( engine coolant temperature ) you replaced and is the rating correct? Was the Temperature sending unit/circuit checked?

6. Have you tried using a thermometer to check if the engine is really overheating? It could be a false reading from the gauge. There are quite a number of gadgets available in the market that allows you to check by placing the thermometer near the various area of the engine to get the reading.

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Sunday, August 7th, 2011 AT 5:23 AM

JYIM87

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Thanks for your reply!

1. Without the A/C on, the fans don't turn at all when the Analog temperature meter in the car is above average. When the A/C is on and the temp gauge is around average, both fans will kick on for a few seconds and won't turn back on for a few minutes, only to turn on for a few seconds.

2. Haven't checked to see that

3. Coolant is clear.

4. Analog

5. Yeah it was the ECT to the PCM that I replaced and I got it from my local auto store (O'Rielly Auto), not sure about the rating, and no I haven't checked the sending unit circuit yet. I'm guessing I would just put a live wire one it and see if it's sending to the other end?

6. No I haven't tried to check if it's really reading that high of a temperature, but when I open the hood there's a bit of smoke, so I assume that it's reading correctly. Idled the car for 15 minutes then took it on a 5 minute drive and saw the temp gauge go up

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Sunday, August 7th, 2011 AT 5:36 AM

JYIM87

MEMBER
3 POSTS

I'm guessing it might be a wiring problem only because when I put power to the "Low Speed Fan" on the PCM nothing happens. Could totally be wrong though.

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Sunday, August 7th, 2011 AT 5:38 AM

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,814 POSTS

Try using a test lamp to ground pin # 28 to CCRM to test if fan works.

For the sending unit, if you ground the wire, the temperature gauge should shoot up to maximum. Do not ground it for more than a few swconds.

It takes about 20 to 25 minutes of engine operation time for the coolant to heat up sufficiently for the fans to start working and it would usually not be in the high speed mode for too long.

Whenn temperature goes up after driving, let vehicle idle for a few minutes and note if the fans are working and temperatur goes down or remain constant.

I would give the thermostat a check.

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Sunday, August 7th, 2011 AT 5:55 AM