2000 Dodge Caravan Radiator Fan Switch

Does anyone have an idea of where this switch is located? I went to the dealer and bought it, and it's about a 1.5x1.5 square module with a four wire connector that plugs into it. I thought most sensors for the radiator fans mounted in the radiator, but the guy insisted this was it. He said it was down the radiator on the right hand side. Getting home, I cannot locate this thing at all. It has a part #1-04707286AF. The part looks like one side is metal, and the top is plastic, and on the label, it says

04707268AF Rev. A 64469D 3192C

I am beginning to wonder if even the dealer knows what they are talking about, or if they sold me the right part. I would be happy just to find the thing on the van.

I replaced the thermostat and gasket last week, and now this week, the fans are refusing to come on. I have checked the 40a fuse in the fusebox in the engine compartment, and even checked to make sure the fuse was getting voltage. Usually, turning the AC on overrides everything and the fans come on, but not anymore. They won't turn on when the AC is running, or when the van is getting hot. Any help is greatly appreciated. Isaac

Reply to
Isaac Davis
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That part sounds like a fan relay, not a temperature sensor. If the fan doesn't come on with the A/C, it won't be the temperature sensor anyway..

Reply to
Robert Hancock

Robert, Thanks for the help. I still haven't found the location yet, and was going to return the sensor today, and just bring it in to the dealer. Through an email, I might have a lead on the location (under the battery tray). I will check it out tonight, and see if I can find that thing.

For some reason, probably me fumbling with all the connectors, the fans started working again last night. I am not naive enough to believe that the problem is now fixed, and will continue trying to figure out what the real problem is. A loose connection is possible, but I tend to lean toward something more dramatic, and costly.. Isaac

Reply to
Isaac Davis

Hmm.... a few points.

One, the fan does not come on with the AC till the high side pressure requires it, around 350 psi or so if I recall correctly. That can take a few minutes, or maybe never if the system is a little discharged on refridgerant. It can be quite scary watching that high side rising on the test gauges while wondering if the fan will come on, or it will blow a valve.

Two, there is no 'fan switch', but there IS a coolent temp sensor that the PCM reads and uses to make a decision on running the fans or not.

Three, are you sure you have a problem? Unless the vehicle overheats or the AC quits working, or the gauge reads far above 'normal' for the vehicle, then you may just have a system thats working normally.

A tech can plug a bi-directional scanner into the ALDL and command the fan/s on, as well as read the coolent temp sensor output. It's usually an easy system to diagnose with the right tools.

Reply to
Art Welling

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