I am hoping you guys can help me out a little. I have a 2002 Altima 3.5 SE and the cooling fans are nearly always on. The car does not over heat and the coolant level is where it should be. It just doesn't seem like they should be running that much. It doesn't matter if I am in the city or highway, they just always run. Any ideas?

 

They run based off of coolant temperature and/or AC compressor on. Either a relay for your compressor is shot, of, your ECT is shot, or, it's just warm ECT's.

 

Everything still works including the AC. I did notice that the heat seems like it could be warmer. What is ECT? What places do I need to check?

 

Engine coolant temperature.

Get yourself an infrared thermometer and measure the temperature before and after t-stat. If your fans are on constantly, then there is a chance they are being commanded to do so.

 

I had this same thing happen to a 2000 maxima after doing the water pump. It was just low on coolant. It did not overheat, but I'm guessing the water control valve saw lack of flow and turned the fans on full speed.

 

Or the engine coolant temperature sensor is

 

Lol I like that emoticon. Where is the engine coolant temp sensor?

 

Have you checked the coolant level?

First thing to check...

 

Yep. Checked it again last night. When the car is completely cold it is sitting at the minimum level in the overflow tank.

 

Maybe add a smidge.

 

Is adding some distilled water ok you think? Or should I go buy coolant?

 

Either way .. or mix them in the appropriate ratios

 

Still wondering where the ECT sensor is located. Just in case the water/coolant doesn't cut it.

 

Somewhere on the block. Usually right by the t-stat. I dont that a FSM on me right now.

EDIT: Just looked it up in Mitchell. It is located just to the right of front valve cover, attached to the block.

 

MaxJay, any update on this? Are both your cooling fans still working almost all the time? What was the solution, if you did solve it?
I have a similar issue; when my fans operate, they both come on at the same time, regardless of whether I'm using the A/C or not. It is a new fan assembly (same brand and model as the one before), but I don't remember the previous one behaving that way.