Radiator fan stopped working

Tiny
BENJAMINJOS
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 TOYOTA CAMRY
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 200,000 MILES
The radiator fan in the car stopped working. We didn't know what the problem was and research it. To make sure that the radiator fan itself wasn't broken we checked the relay of the fan. The relay seemed fine so we used a paper to finish the circuit without the relay to see if the fan would work, which it did. So we know that is not broken. We assumed it was the relay. We replaced the relay, coolant temperature sensor, and thermostat in the engine, but the fan is still not working. We are not sure what the problem could be.
Friday, July 18th, 2014 AT 2:42 PM

4 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
You might try the engine coolant temperature switch.
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Friday, July 18th, 2014 AT 3:11 PM
Tiny
BENJAMINJOS
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Where is that located? We found out that the the fan works only when the A/C is on.
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Friday, July 18th, 2014 AT 3:25 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
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Scan the computer for code/s and see if pops a coolant temperature sensor code-As for the coolant temperature switch there's none just check it.
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Friday, July 18th, 2014 AT 3:43 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,645 POSTS
I have a feeling the relay you replaced wasn't the bad one. There are three different cooling fan relays. If you look at the first three pics attached, I they show each one.

Now, what I suggest is to remove one relay at a time and test it. Here is a link that shows in general how one is checked:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-an-electrical-relay-and-wiring-control-circuit

Here are the manufacturer's directions for testing all three relays. The attached pics correlate with the directions.

__________________________________________________________________

1999 Toyota Camry CE Sedan L4-2164cc 2.2L DOHC (5S-FE) MFI
Cooling Fan Relay
Vehicle Engine, Cooling and Exhaust Cooling System Radiator Cooling Fan Radiator Cooling Fan Motor Relay Testing and Inspection Component Tests and General Diagnostics Cooling Fan Relay
COOLING FAN RELAY
INSPECTION
1. INSPECT NO.1 COOLING FAN RELAY
a. Remove the relay box cover.

pic 4

b. Remove the No.1 cooling fan relay. (Marking: FAN NO.1)

pic 5

c. Inspect the No.1 cooling fan relay continuity.
1. Using an ohmmeter, check that there is continuity between terminals 1 and 2. If there is no continuity, replace the relay.
2. Check that there is continuity between terminals 3 and 4. If there is no continuity, replace the relay.

pic 6

d. Inspect the No.1 cooling fan relay operation.
1. Apply battery positive voltage across terminals 1 and 2.
2. Using an ohmmeter, check that there is no continuity between terminals 3 and 4. If there is continuity, replace the relay.
e. Reinstall the No.1 cooling fan relay
f. Reinstall the relay box cover.
2. INSPECT NO.2 COOLING FAN RELAY
a. Remove the relay box cover.

pic 7

b. Remove the No.2 cooling fan relay. (Marking: FAN NO.2)

pic 8

c. Inspect the No.2 cooling fan relay continuity.
1. Using an ohmmeter, check that there is continuity between terminals 1 and 2. If there is no continuity, replace the relay.
2. Check that there is continuity between terminals 3 and 4. If there is no continuity, replace the relay.
3. Check that there is no continuity between terminals 3 and 5. If there is continuity, replace the relay.

pic 9

d. Inspect the No.2 cooling fan relay operation.
1. Apply battery positive voltage across terminals 1 and 2.
2. Using an ohmmeter, check that there is no continuity between terminals 3 and 4. If there is continuity, replace the relay.
3. Check that there is continuity between terminals 3 and 5. If there is no continuity, replace the relay.
e. Reinstall the No.2 cooling fan relay.
f. Reinstall the relay box cover.
3. INSPECT NO.3 COOLING FAN RELAY
a. Remove the relay box cover.

pic 10

b. Remove the No.3 cooling fan relay. (Marking: FAN NO.3)

pic 11

c. Inspect the No.3 cooling fan relay continuity.
1. Using an ohmmeter, check that there is continuity between terminals 1 and 2. If there is no continuity, replace the relay.
2. Check that there is no continuity between terminals 3 and 5. If there is continuity, replace the relay.

pic 12

d. Inspect the No.3 cooling fan relay operation.
1. Apply battery positive voltage across terminals 1 and 2.
2. Using an ohmmeter, check that there is continuity between terminals 3 and 5. If there is no continuity, replace the relay.
e. Reinstall the No.3 cooling fan relay.
f. Reinstall the relay box cover.

______________________________________________________________

Here are a few links you may find helpful when testing:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-voltmeter

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

______________________________________________________________

Let me know if this helps or if you have other questions.

Take care,
Joe
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Friday, April 17th, 2020 AT 8:53 PM

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