1996 Chrysler Town and Country Fan Fuse Blows

[quote:bf4bfa5ca3="HotinTexas"]96 Town and Country 3.8 with 112000 miles, kept over heating. Changed the thermostat, hose to water pump, no other leaks. Changed coolant, no rust. Noticed radiator fan fuse blown, changed it and it blew the new one in about 10 minutes. Any suggestions?[/quote:bf4bfa5ca3]

Unless you see a bad connection, or a burnt wire, I would replace the fan. It is probably drawing too much current, and is old and tired.

[quote:63f1b5fdef="Mikeybdman"][quote:63f1b5fdef="HotinTexas"]96 Town and Country 3.8 with 112000 miles, kept over heating. Changed the thermostat, hose to water pump, no other leaks. Changed coolant, no rust. Noticed radiator fan fuse blown, changed it and it blew the new one in about 10 minutes. Any suggestions?[/quote:63f1b5fdef]

Unless you see a bad connection, or a burnt wire, I would replace the fan. It is probably drawing too much current, and is old and tired.[/quote:63f1b5fdef]

Good info, Mikey... thanks. Any idea if a shop would consider this a "major" repair? The fan seems fairly accessible but I'm not sure I could tackle it. Any cost estimate would be appreciated! Thanks again.

[quote:63df8137ca="HotinTexas"][quote:63df8137ca="Mikeybdman"][quote:63df8137ca="HotinTexas"]96 Town and Country 3.8 with 112000 miles, kept over heating. Changed the thermostat, hose to water pump, no other leaks. Changed coolant, no rust. Noticed radiator fan fuse blown, changed it and it blew the new one in about 10 minutes. Any suggestions?[/quote:63df8137ca]

Unless you see a bad connection, or a burnt wire, I would replace the fan. It is probably drawing too much current, and is old and tired.[/quote:63df8137ca]

Good info, Mikey... thanks. Any idea if a shop would consider this a "major" repair? The fan seems fairly accessible but I'm not sure I could tackle it. Any cost estimate would be appreciated! Thanks again.[/quote:63df8137ca]

I was looking at the manual, and the price of a new fan motor about dropped my jaw. Looks like the fan mator is around $350 from the dealer, and 1 hour labor to replace it.
here are the instructions for replacing it yourself...

COMPONENT REPLACEMENT, COOLING FAN


Raise and support vehicle.
Remove radiator outlet hose from mounting clips on fan shroud.
On models with auxiliary transmission cooler, remove lower fluid line from mounting clips on fan shroud.
On all models, lower vehicle, then remove air cleaner and ducting from throttle body and vehicle.
Disconnect electrical connector for cooling fan, then remove attaching screw for coolant recovery system from crossmember.
Disconnect upper radiator mounts from crossmember.
Mark position of hood latch on crossmember for later alignment, then remove latch and position aside.
Remove bolts holding crossmember to body, then remove crossmember from vehicle by lifting up, then forward.
Remove fan shroud to radiator retaining screws.
On models with auxiliary transmission cooler, remove upper fluid line from mounting clips on fan shroud.
On all models, disconnect lower left transmission cooler line from radiator and plug.
Raise and support vehicle, then remove mounting bolts for A/C drier unit, fan shroud and radiator mounting from lower right side.
Lower vehicle, then remove fan shroud to radiator retaining clips.
Remove fans and shroud from vehicle.
Remove fans from shroud as necessary.
Reverse procedure to install, noting the following:
Torque fan shroud to radiator screws and radiator to crossmember mounts to 105 inch lbs.
Torque , coolant recovery system mounting screw to 18 inch lbs.
Ensure proper alignment and closure of hood.
Check and correct fluid levels as necessary.

Wow, thanks for more helpful info. I als did more research and found that the fan motor is available at several auto parts stores for between $105-$125, and if the one hour labor thing holds true, I think I'll wheel it into a local shop and let them have a stab at it. I'll let you know how it goes.

$350 for the part to a dealer? And they wonder why we never have anything nice to say about dealers?