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What would cause my radiator fan to burn out like this...also looking for new harness

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Old 06-26-2017, 05:59 PM
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What would cause my radiator fan to burn out like this...also looking for new harness

My wife told me the car was overheating on her. She said it was bubbling and coming out the resivoir tank so i knew somehow it was not a hose but the fans. Limped home and i checked it out. Sure nuff turn on a/c no fans. Turn the car on to run to check for leaks and no leaks. The regular fans come on when it hit 212. Ok. Turn the a/c on again nada. Fans turn off. Ok. First thing check fuses. Good. Check relay, tapped it and the fan kicks on. Upon further inspection i see this. So I replaced the relay, wiggled it and all and it stays on. Is this just a bad relay? Also the plug is not the best looking so i need a plug/harness if anyone has one for sale.
Thanks
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Old 06-26-2017, 07:42 PM
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Looks like an overheated relay.

Try to turn your fans by hand. They should turn easily. If they feel kinda stiff and not so easy to turn, they would ask for lots of power from the relay to do their thing.

You have replaced the relay, (the symtom) now check the probable cause of the burned up relay, the fan. I think you probably need a new fan

Last edited by JvG; 06-26-2017 at 07:47 PM. Reason: To alter what I wrote
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Old 06-27-2017, 12:43 AM
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This is interesting because one of my relatives 2014 Nissan Versa has a fan issue (they're built with only 1 large fan). I suggested a new fan, but the fan seems to cut on intermittently. But, wonder if a relay may be the issue.

On my max, I had both fans go out at separate times. I just went straight for the fan motors and swapped them out. Problem solved. Kinda tricky because the max can live off 1 fan for awhile until it's under load, idling, or high heat situations. So a failing fan can go unnoticed.
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Old 06-27-2017, 01:43 AM
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Gonna do that this afternoon. Thanks. These are aftermarket fans.

Originally Posted by JvG
Looks like an overheated relay.

Try to turn your fans by hand. They should turn easily. If they feel kinda stiff and not so easy to turn, they would ask for lots of power from the relay to do their thing.

You have replaced the relay, (the symtom) now check the probable cause of the burned up relay, the fan. I think you probably need a new fan

Last edited by Shannon and Ian; 06-27-2017 at 02:12 AM.
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Old 06-27-2017, 09:43 AM
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Go to junkyard.... get good used parts.
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Old 06-27-2017, 12:12 PM
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Originally Posted by PH98I30
Go to junkyard.... get good used parts.
Agreed. I'll bet the aftermarket fans contributed to the relay burning up.

Frankly, I've never seen a relay in that condition.
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Old 06-27-2017, 03:21 PM
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I am gonna price some fans at Courtesy or whatever dealer you guys recommend with the best price. Yeah, these fans came from Arch Auto so I don't remember what brand it is.
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Old 06-27-2017, 06:58 PM
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Someone recommended visiting a junkyard to find an oem fan. As long as the fans spin without much resistance, that is a good option.

The point iso find fans with good bearings.

Good bearings cause less drag and power consumption than bad bearings.
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Old 06-27-2017, 07:27 PM
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I can't recall a relay that looks like that on the 4th gen. Exactly where was that relay located?
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Old 06-28-2017, 08:37 AM
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Originally Posted by DennisMik
I can't recall a relay that looks like that on the 4th gen. Exactly where was that relay located?
Good catch. I didn't notice it originally, but that is not the correct color for the fan relay. If I'm not mistaken, there are two relays for the radiator fans, and they aren't that color. Maybe the issue isn't the fans, but the relays.
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Old 06-28-2017, 03:16 PM
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Post a picture of where you removed the relay. Also one of the top and bottom of the relay.

Based on what you said... the fans work with ac off but not when the ac is on. It could be you pulled the ac relay. That would prevent the fans coming on if what you're holding is the ac relay.

Also check the single wire going to the compressor and harness for the fans. Look for any fried wires.
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Old 06-30-2017, 11:30 AM
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My wife has the car but that relay is in the front of the battery tray. Fan relay #1.

Last edited by Shannon and Ian; 06-30-2017 at 11:32 AM.
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Old 06-30-2017, 11:31 AM
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Originally Posted by 93SCMax
Good catch. I didn't notice it originally, but that is not the correct color for the fan relay. If I'm not mistaken, there are two relays for the radiator fans, and they aren't that color. Maybe the issue isn't the fans, but the relays.
One Grey one Blue
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Old 06-30-2017, 01:59 PM
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There are 3 relays for the radiator fans, one blue and 2 (usually) tan colored.

Is your car a 99? There were a lot of changes in the 99.
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Old 06-30-2017, 03:13 PM
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Mine is a 97. We changed the fans and rewired the fan relay to outside the box. Lets see.

Last edited by Shannon and Ian; 07-01-2017 at 05:22 AM.
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Old 06-30-2017, 05:44 PM
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Does the fan now work with the ac on?
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Old 07-01-2017, 05:22 AM
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Originally Posted by allmazda
does the fan now work with the ac on?
yup!
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