|I own a 1998 Intrepid ES 3.2L and the A/C suddenly stopped working. |Upon inspection the local Dodge dealership said that one of the |cooling fan motors short circuited and blew the fuse. (I have |verified that neither of the fans run and the fuse is blown.) They |suggested that I replace both of the cooling fan motors. Also, in |order to do so they would need to drain and recharge the A/C system |which would bring the total to $650 (3hrs labor + 2 new fan motors + |new "freon". My questions are: | |Is this an excessive cost to replace a faulty fan motor? |Do both fans need to be replaced - could one fan motor shorting out |damage the other because they are on the same circuit? |Why does the "freon" have to be drained to replace a fan motor?
Installers like to change out assemblies rather than componenets. Rather than r&R the shroud with fans, remove fan, then motor, then reassemble, they can order a cooling fan assembly - shroud with both fans, pull the old out, insert new, connect wiring, and the car is out in half the time, with a bigger ticket.
Figure out which motor you need by jumpering them each directly (careful of the sparks!) and just replace the bad one. Seimens makes most of the replacement (and OE ) motors.
As Bill noted, the dealer is full of crap by saying the a/c must be drained/recharged. Cooling system, yes--partially, but not the a/c. However, I would politely ask the dealer to please show you where the service manual says that draining/recharging the a/c is part of the proper procedure for replacing a fan motor.
Step 2 is to ask him what diagnostics were done on the motors to indicate that they do indeed need to be replaced. It would be a shame to have this service done only to have the fuse start blowing again (bad relay for example...although the relay might be part of the replacement package.) or perhaps the fuse just broke on its own without an electrical problem.
Step 3, if you're in the mood, is to show him the FSM with the step-by-step directions that do not include a/c discharging.
Here is information directly from the Factory Service Manual:
STANDARD USENET WARNING: Do not rely on this FSM information I posted below to do any actual work. It is for a newer model year than yours (although it should be substantially the same) and there are a lot of grahics, tables, and figures in addition to the text below. Also, there is more information cross referenced in other areas of the book. It would be interesting to see if anybody has the 1998 LH manual how it compares. Also, beware the standard fan warnings -- (fan can start anytime--even if engine is off, keep body parts away, etc.)
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - RADIATOR FAN CONTROL Radiator fan control can be accomplished five ways. A pressure transducer on the air conditioning compressor discharge line sends a signal to the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) which will activate both fans if necessary. In addition to this control, the fans are turned on based on coolant temperature sensor, intake air temperature sensor, output speed sensor, and transmission oil temperature sensor output to the PCM. The PCM switches the fans on through the fan relays.
The PCM provides fan control for the following conditions:
- Regardless of coolant temperature the fan will not run during cranking until the engine starts.
- Fans will run in accordance with the specifications listed in the following operation charts. For additional circuit and diagnostic information (Refer to Appropriate Wiring and Diagnostic Information). REMOVAL (1) Remove radiator upper crossmember (Refer to 23 - ODY/EXTERIOR/GRILLE OPENING REINFORCEMENT- REMOVAL). (2) Disconnect radiator fan motor electrical connector. (3) Partially drain cooling system below the level of the upper radiator hose. (4) Disconnect upper radiator hose from radiator. (5) Remove radiator fan attaching fasteners and upper clip (Fig. 24). (6) Remove radiator fan by lifting upward to clear radiator. each relay and fuse contained in the PDC. It is an ISO relay.
INSTALLATION (1) Install radiator fan. (2) Install upper clip and fasteners (Fig. 24). (3) Connect upper radiator hose to radiator. (4) Connect fan motor electrical connector (Fig. 24). (5) Install radiator upper crossmember (Refer to 23 - BODY/EXTERIOR/GRILLE OPENING REINFORCEMENT - INSTALLATION). (6) Fill cooling system (Refer to 7 - COOLING - STANDARD PROCEDURE - COOLING SYSTEM FILLING).
RADIATOR FAN RELAY DESCRIPTION The HI/LO and HI radiator fan relays are located in the Power Distribution Center (PDC) near the coolant recovery pressure container (Fig. 25). A decal on the inside of the PDC covers shows the location of at two different speeds, low and high. Depending on engine coolant temperature and A/C system high side pressure, the fans operate at either low or high speed. The PCM controls radiator fan speed by grounding the coil side of either the HI/LO fan relay or the HI fan relay. The ignition switch supplies voltage to the coil sides of the relay. When the PCM grounds the coil side of the relay, the contacts close and the battery supplies power to the fans. Refer to WIRING DIAGRAMS.
EXCEPT 2.7L BASE The cooling system uses two fans. Both fans operate at two different speeds, low and high. Depending on engine coolant temperature and A/C system high side pressure, the fans operate at either low or high speed. The PCM controls radiator fan speed by grounding the coil side of either the HI/LO fan relay or the HI fan relay. Low speed radiator fan function is achieved by running both fan motors in a series circuit. High speed radiator fan function is achieved by running both fan motors in a parallel circuit. Refer to WIRING DIAGRAMS.
--------------------------- The inputs provided to the PCM that influence fan operation are:
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