Radiator fan turns on intermittently

Thank you for the wiring diagram. I have saved it to my computer in case I need it for future reference. I may have to see if some wire is directly causing the problem. From people I have been talking to who are varying in their degrees of "mechanic expertise". I have heard a couple of different suggestions such as: engine coolant temperature sensor ($17.99 part at a big box chain), temperature switch ($10.99 part at a big box chain). Which from my understanding (like I said is pretty limited when it comes to automobiles) look to be two prime culprits. I have also heard thermostat as well. When I get time to picking those parts up which should be tomorrow. I am going to start with what I think is the most likely culprit from what I have heard and read online. Though finding information online about this specific problem has been tiring to say the least, but maybe I can figure out a way to get it solved before too long.

Also, thank you for taking time out of your busy day to respond to me. It is greatly appreciated.

I drove my car to a "Big Box Automotive Chain" ( I am not sure if I can name names of stores on here. So I will say Big-Box Automotive Chain. I drove my car to their store, and they do free testing. They hooked up an OBD-II Scanner to my car since they do automotive testing for free. A man that looked like he was in his early 20's who seemed pretty knowledgeable hooked it up to a port under my steering wheel, and The only code that my car was showing that was faulty was The Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor. So I purchased that part for $17.99. I haven't had a chance to put it on yet, but I am relieved that it is the only problem that the car is showing, but I try my best to keep it maintained as good as possible. So we will see either tomorrow or Thursday whether that is the fix.

I will try to report back on whether it is the fix or not, but by the OBD II Scanner. It was the only issue that showed up, and it was one of the culprits that I thought of during my extensive online search to try and figure out what this issue has been. I'll try not to leave anyone hanging, because I know I haven't found this exact issue online, and will try to pay it forward so no one has the same headache that I have had with trying to solve this problem.

I hope that the Engine Coolant Temperature Switch is the cure for the woes that my Taurus has been having. It certainly makes me feel better that the OBD II Scanner listed it as the only problem that is showing up that my car is having.

Also, I am going to buy a Haynes or Chilton repair manual for this car and my van. On most vehicles I own. I do wind up buying either of those repair guides, but time and not really thinking about it much. I haven't bought one yet for this one, and I know I need to, because they are great to have around as a reference repair guide.

I wanted to drive the car around a little while before coming back. It's been roughly 2 and a half weeks since my last post. The car is running fine in that time span, but the radiator fan only kicks on when I turn on the air conditioner. However, there has been no problem with the car trying to overheat even when I don't have the Air Conditioner on. Like I said in the earlier post. I will be running the Air Conditioner anyways this month (July), August, and September for the very least, because it gets hot, humid, and sticky here in Georgia.

For those wondering though and hopefully this will be of some help.

Right before I bought the part which turned out to be an Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor. 2 or 3 days before I bought the part and after I posted on here the last time. The Car started exhibiting some of these symptoms.

- The car began to idle strangely. RPMs would go below 800, then 600 and finally the car would stall out and die.

- Started not wanting to crank until after it sat for about 30 minutes and cooled off.

- Car begin to ride rough and couldn't handle hills well. Kind of like it would when you would need spark plugs.

- Hot hand would pretty quickly get past the halfway mark.

After I bought the Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor these problems went away and the car is running like a champ again. The only thing is like I said the Radiator Fan which used to come on the first 3 minutes or so when I would crank the car doesn't come on at all anymore unless I turn the Air Conditioner on. However, the car hasn't been running hot anymore, and the hot hand has stayed right in the middle where it has always stayed since I bought the car.

As of June 2017, The Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor cost $17.99, and on this model of 2001 Ford Taurus SE. It is located near the Thermostat on your car. It is a very simple 5-10 minute procedure that even someone who doesn't work on cars by trade or even hobby should be able to fix with no problem.

With newer cars, I believe I heard 1996 or newer. If you have a car that is 1996 or newer. Which I am sure almost everyone does these days. Most of the Big Box Automotive Chains can hook up an OBD-II Scanner to your car and it reads the codes to tell you what your issue is and most if not all do it Free Of Charge. When I went to one. The salesman hooked the scanner to a port under my steering wheel, and the only issue that it came back was that the Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor. So I bought that part for $17.99, installed it, and haven't had anymore of those problems I mentioned above, and the hot hand has been staying where it needs to.

Anyways, I thought I would report back in to keep my promise to not leave anyone hanging. I hope that whomever reads it finds it helpful, and maybe some how, some way I might have helped someone else along the way who might experience a similar issue. 2 1/2 weeks later after my last post The Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor seems to be the fix for the problem.

I am running a little low on cash at the moment, but I definitely need to buy somethings anyways for car repairs. Like Wrenches, Sockets, etc, because I lent them out and people just don't want to return borrowed tools. Like my dad used to always say you can't lend out tools or fishing poles or you won't see them again. I'll have some extra money to spend soon so when I buy some new tools, I will pick up a new OBDII Scanner as well.

As for older cars, I personally prefer them, but there are some of the modern conveniences that I do like on these newer cars that are built in. I do appreciate you having a place so people can come with their car troubles. I feel good about this fix. Hasn't given me any troubles since I put the Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor on.