Thanks for posting, you are not only making us DIY's more capable, you are making your customers better car owner's by showing them the high level of skill and specialized equipment required to diagnose and repair their automobiles.
Great video as usual. Thank you. For those of us who do not have a "Vantage", can we diagnose by using a DVOM ( set to DC Volts - one lead on on battery -ve terminal, the other on signal wire from PCM to Cooling Fan Module)? If my understanding is correct, we would only see a Voltage reading ( 5V max) when PCM is commanding fans to come on.
Thanks for posting, super informative. I've been having an overheating problem where I've replaced everything; radiator, compressor, water pump, thermostat, engine coolant sensor, valve cover gaskets, idle air control valve, flushed the cooling system and it still overheats. Could my fan motor be bad? definitely something of interest?
Yes, Relay is power, PCM provides pulse width modulation for a quit fan operation. Power go to the fans and ground is controlled by electronics in the module. It is common practice to use N-Channel MOSFET that when switched on, provide a path to ground. The MOSFET can be switched on-off very rapidly. The problem is they produce a great deal of heat, so a heat transfer grease is used to bolt these directly to the heat sink on the back. Unfortunately, due to heat or vibration, the board can fracture, solder joints melt and create open intermittent conditions that allow the mosfet to not drain at the gate turn on voltage thru a resistor. So, let’s take a very thin, not so robust printed circuit board, then we will place it on the hot side of the radiator with a heat sink that absorbs heat and perhaps to small for the amperage/heat generated by the mosfets (1 for each fan) and see how long it will last! (Answer-Out of Warranty) By the Beck-Arnely brand from Rock Auto. It is the same as Ford...I mean Mazda. Or better for less! retired auto master tech
I have the same prob, though my ac makes a whining sound and when I just have the fan on (AC) off AC still comes on. When heater is on ,still hear ac wine, but blows hot like it should... Fan module???
Dude we need a mechanic like you here! Thanks for the vid! I think I my girlfriends car has this problem. Do you have a video on how to replace the CFM? Tks!
Fan control module is there for a reason: other conditions may trigger the fan to run even though the ECU is silent. However it could be the bad module too. The control module logic will help here.
Literally just came from advanced auto where they told me this module doesnt exist, glad theres a video imma go back and shove this in their faces and make them order my damn part 🤣
I have an 04 V6 Mazda 6 like this one but I've never once heard my fans turn on, no matter what driving conditions. Would it be safe to assume it's the FCM?
Anyone measure the resistance of the fan motor? Mine is at 0.4ohms. Thinking my fan is fried, with 12V supplied to the motor this gives a current of 30Amps. Gates manufacturing (where I bought the FCM) says to replace fan motor if it is drawing over 10Amps of current.
Great video! My car is having this current issue but it is draining the battery as a result. Do you think that it is necessary to replace the entire full fan assembly or just replacing the radiator fan control module will suffice?
Any idea where the fan control module is on a 2004 Tribute (same engine)? The book says its on the left side of the fan shroud, where it is in your video. BUT, mine is no where to be found.
Hey everyone did you know that by letting the ads roll and not skipping you can help Eric!!! Dude you could have used the double window thing on the verus and shown both readings in the same screen and yes I have replaced those Mazda/Ford modules! Thanks for sharing.
Absalon Last I don't think I can display the scope and scan data on the verus at the same time.... I'll look but I am pretty sure it is one or the other. I could toggle back and forth though...
It's doable well at least on the verus pro it is, don't remember what box you hit while you are in scope but I will check it out when I get to the shop. We had about 6-8 inches of snow here in the NC mountains last night so naturally we use that excuse to take some time off.
Hello. I replaced the Module but i still have the issue with the fans, they run and they don't. the fans are about 6 months old. Should I clean the connectors? could that be the issue
Sorry toyo toe, that was a *Voltage* setting. It was a duty cycle sent from the PCM. I assume its frequency and amplitude would change with the commanded duty cycle. We were only looking at it at 70% duty cycle. Maybe when I get the new part we can look at it again as the car warms up and is commanded at different rates?
This is really a partial diagnosis, if the PCM is bad then you should also check the Amps being pulled by the cooling fans themselves with an ammeter, as they get older and start to go bad they get hot, pull too many amps and blow the PCM. If you don't check the Amps (for a this vehicle it should be 6.6 Amps from each Fan) you'll end up blowing another PCM and needing to replace both fan motors and the PCM again.
Had a Mazda 6 4 cyl with similar issue, fans would come on with no key in car and flatten battery. Was the fan module which comes with the fans. in Australia we can buy these aftermarket much cheaper then genuine. Great vids, keep em coming.
Glen O'Hara I should have gotten one from down under then :) I got a Mazda one.. think it was $150 or $180 somewhere in there. Waiting on car to come back to install.
South Main Auto Repair You guys are lucky, because your market is so much bigger than ours, that price would be our aftermarket genuine would be much dearer. Keep up the good work.
Half breed indeed. Those were built at Auto Alliance in Flat Rock, Michigan. Mazda's version of that 3.0 had VVT, Ford's didn't originally. My eternal-project car is a 1993 MX6 from Flat Rock with the older all Mazda KL V6 that was also found in the Probes on the Ford side.
Thanks for sharing. Are you a member of iatn? I have been pointed in the right direction many times on iatn.net with product knowledge, dealing with a make I'm unfamiliar with. I'm in the middle of a 13 month contract with Prodemand and am considering returning to Alldata Pro as Mitchell seems to be lacking in system descriptions on some things. I have to say though, that it is nice to have all makes wire diagrams in the same format.
I am not a member of IATN. I think I have looked at it in the past but it is a pay program right? Yeah MOD lacks here and there that is for sure. I have tried all three of the big companies out there and I think over all MOD seems to be the best fit for me.
Iatn is $15 per month, I value iatn as much as my info source ie- MOD. Its not just a bunch of chower heads giving bad advise, you have to prove credentials to be a member. I can't say enough good things about it, from tech help requests to tips to archives, so many sub forums, tool forum, shop management forum, etc... I learn stuff daily on there, you get to know the regulars, and there are a few hear and there that don't know what they are talking about, but it is very much something you should look into.
Iatn is affiliated with indentafix, maybe that's what you looked at, but I only have iatn $15 membership. It's not a bad price at all, but that and identafix and MOD, I just can't afford. Identafix is an info source, but is lacking in some things so much so, that it would have to be used in conjunction with MOD.
+South Main Auto Repair hey matt i have 03 mazda 6 3.0 took it and had the radiator flushed they left the hose loose and dumped all the antifreeze out i have been trying to get the antifreeze back in it but it just keeps blowing it back out
South Main Auto Repair Hey there's nothing wrong with working on only 1 car. Them's fightin words. Seriously though being able to participate in the day to day routine of a real mechanic is valuable experience just to see what it looks and feels like being in a real shop. We realize you're on limited time and you do a superb job bringing us along with you with all the factors of real life that you have to deal with. Think I just found a new favorite channel. You're moving up on my favs list.
Uhhh well if the door bell, and the phone stops ringing it will be a channel more like ETCG. One vehicle to work on (my honda) I'll be in a shop with no heat and a whole lot of talkin bout cars instead of fixing them lol. Oh I prolly shouldn't have said that haha but no unfortunately I need the bell and the phone to keep on ringing... That pays the bills around here :D
Half-breed indeed. Ford/Mazda have been making vehicles together for a long time. The predecessor to this is my beloved 626 and they have 2 relays for low/high speed. Suppose the change to a module is so the speed can be more accurately controlled for more efficient use of cooling. Locating it behind the fan shroud is just universally stupid. I think some engineers get their degrees from legoland university.
***** Are you kidding me. We all know a Lego master builder like Emmit or Wildstyle could make a pretty sweet ride. (Hope you saw the Lego movie) haha... Any how it is on the shroud because it has a huge heat sink molded on it so I assume it needs to "stay cool" or at least have some air flow across it.
Funny how they noticed the fans running when car is off , but said nothing about the car sounding like a airplane taking off . Sometimes customers tickle me . Well not really knock me down and tickle , but you know what i mean .
I really do believe that these engineers come up with some design changes just to try and justify their position. it is something new and or different so it must be better! or because they came up with it, that means it is better. we all have our delusions I suppose. I would have to pick Toyota as having the best electrical/electronic design and component quality. not to say they do not have their issues
Hey it gives them something to do ya know. It has to be better because it is different...that's true right? If it is on Facebook then it must be true too?! Any how I agree I do like my Yota's and Honda's but hey what mechanic doesn't right?
I noticed your scope is "Windows" based? XP? 7? This company www.piriform.com has 2 wonderful tools- that will make that run _better than new_. They are Ccleaner and Defraggler. Both *FREE* (scroll down to bottom of web page, only download from Piriform and *NOT* File Hippo (mirror). Yes- they even work with mobile and SSD drives, flash drives, etc. With the Defraggler- do *NOT* choose to "replace Windows Defrag". Also- another nice, more thorough cleaner is www.koshyjohn.com "Diskmax". I have used all 3 for *years* now- zero problems. You wouldn't believe the wasted space by junk installers, cookies, etc. After a good defrag- it will be like *new* again. The first initial runs will take a while- so do at night. Run on a daily basis (Defraggler has a programmable schedule) it will be great.
That is correct. KOEO that fan does what ever it wants. As soon as you shut the car off and the main relay de-energizes then it shuts down. New module showed up today and I am waiting for the car to return...
my friend i found this item but it says this.......what is this means.....how do i know if is compatible with my car...hope you can help me thanks Replaces OE # 1355A124, AJ511515YA, AJY215SC0, AJY215SCO, L3361515YA OE # AJ511515YA
Mazda does ford better than ford. Fords only good subcompacts were designed by mazda, the ranger truck, ford escort. Yea, escort was bad but then think about the cavilier or neon, yea, none are still driving. Its not uncommon to see escorts and rangers, or even tge mazda trucks.
Thanks for posting, you are not only making us DIY's more capable, you are making your customers better car owner's by showing them the high level of skill and specialized equipment required to diagnose and repair their automobiles.
Oh yeah that is one way of thinking of it. Thanks for watching :)
we appreciate the time you take to inform us how to fix our own cars or help fix other peoples cars , thank you and keep em comin.
Quick, accurate diagnosis. Good work Eric!
Thanks Stanley Waggoner. Parts are on the way. Will post a follow up video
Thanks for helping me diagnose, my 05 mazda had the same issue. Keep up the great work on the videos!
My girlfriend has a 2006 Mazda6 with the 3.0 and hers behaves in the exact same way. So glad somebody posted a video about it!
I have a 2006 Mazda 6s with 162,xxx miles and it has the same problem. Thank you for the video. It was very helpful.
Thanks for taking the time to show this.
Ahhh the video that introduced me to this channel.
my 2005 Mazda 6 3.0 did the exact same thing. thanks for the helpful video!
Nice video man. Your diagnostic procedure was perfect
Great video as usual. Thank you. For those of us who do not have a "Vantage", can we diagnose by using a DVOM ( set to DC Volts - one lead on on battery -ve terminal, the other on signal wire from PCM to Cooling Fan Module)? If my understanding is correct, we would only see a Voltage reading ( 5V max) when PCM is commanding fans to come on.
toyo toe ya you got it. You would see it "off" at around 0.17vdc and on at 70% duty cycle showing a display like 2.8vdc or somewhere close to that....
Concidering the situation I think it went well! Thanks!
Great video!thank you I have the exact problem very well explained
Thanks for posting, super informative. I've been having an overheating problem where I've replaced everything; radiator, compressor, water pump, thermostat, engine coolant sensor, valve cover gaskets, idle air control valve, flushed the cooling system and it still overheats. Could my fan motor be bad? definitely something of interest?
good one ERIC strait forward fix good repair with good info thanks for sharing.
j georges you got it
Yes, Relay is power, PCM provides pulse width modulation for a quit fan operation. Power go to the fans and ground is controlled by electronics in the module. It is common practice to use N-Channel MOSFET that when switched on, provide a path to ground. The MOSFET can be switched on-off very rapidly. The problem is they produce a great deal of heat, so a heat transfer grease is used to bolt these directly to the heat sink on the back. Unfortunately, due to heat or vibration, the board can fracture, solder joints melt and create open intermittent conditions that allow the mosfet to not drain at the gate turn on voltage thru a resistor.
So, let’s take a very thin, not so robust printed circuit board, then we will place it on the hot side of the radiator with a heat sink that absorbs heat and perhaps to small for the amperage/heat generated by the mosfets (1 for each fan) and see how long it will last! (Answer-Out of Warranty)
By the Beck-Arnely brand from Rock Auto. It is the same as Ford...I mean Mazda. Or better for less!
retired auto master tech
They had a recall on that module. Changed them daily when I worked at the Mazda dealership.
i learned something today :)
***** Hope you do everyday... I learn one thing and forget two lol
I have the same prob, though my ac makes a whining sound and when I just have the fan on (AC) off AC still comes on. When heater is on ,still hear ac wine, but blows hot like it should... Fan module???
Another repair well done.
Luigi Torchia Thanks :)
Dude we need a mechanic like you here!
Thanks for the vid! I think I my girlfriends car has this problem.
Do you have a video on how to replace the CFM?
Tks!
Hmm, as ScannerDanner says, is the ground good at the fan module?
Great job
Fan control module is there for a reason: other conditions may trigger the fan to run even though the ECU is silent. However it could be the bad module too. The control module logic will help here.
Well the ECU is the only "control" Wire running to the module so I have to assume the module is bad from the testing we did..
Literally just came from advanced auto where they told me this module doesnt exist, glad theres a video imma go back and shove this in their faces and make them order my damn part 🤣
I have an 04 V6 Mazda 6 like this one but I've never once heard my fans turn on, no matter what driving conditions. Would it be safe to assume it's the FCM?
Anyone measure the resistance of the fan motor? Mine is at 0.4ohms. Thinking my fan is fried, with 12V supplied to the motor this gives a current of 30Amps. Gates manufacturing (where I bought the FCM) says to replace fan motor if it is drawing over 10Amps of current.
Great video! My car is having this current issue but it is draining the battery as a result. Do you think that it is necessary to replace the entire full fan assembly or just replacing the radiator fan control module will suffice?
Same issue did you get it fixed ?
@@micaylavargas8075 We replaced the entire fan assembly, and it seemed to resolve itself.
Any idea where the fan control module is on a 2004 Tribute (same engine)? The book says its on the left side of the fan shroud, where it is in your video. BUT, mine is no where to be found.
I have a mazda that the fan is running full speed with the ignition off. Could this module be at fault?
Any videos on a 2014. The cooling fan module seems to be located in a different spot can't find it.
I have an 07 mazda cx7 and the fans come on only for a/c but low speed I replaced the module but still no cooling fans anything else I could try tnx
Hey everyone did you know that by letting the ads roll and not skipping you can help Eric!!! Dude you could have used the double window thing on the verus and shown both readings in the same screen and yes I have replaced those Mazda/Ford modules! Thanks for sharing.
Absalon Last I don't think I can display the scope and scan data on the verus at the same time.... I'll look but I am pretty sure it is one or the other. I could toggle back and forth though...
It's doable well at least on the verus pro it is, don't remember what box you hit while you are in scope but I will check it out when I get to the shop. We had about 6-8 inches of snow here in the NC mountains last night so naturally we use that excuse to take some time off.
lol 6 to 8" in NC must be like state of emergency?
Absalon Last Hey, I'm from NC too. I'm over here close to High Point and we got about 6".
You gonna make it ok Terry? I know you were complaining when it got cold lol? I'd be down there in my shorts haha
What about when it cycles on and off even after changing module ?
Hello. I replaced the Module but i still have the issue with the fans, they run and they don't. the fans are about 6 months old. Should I clean the connectors? could that be the issue
When the PCM is commanding the Cooling Fans to come on, there is a "Wave" pattern on the Vantage. Is this Voltage or Current?
Sorry toyo toe, that was a *Voltage* setting. It was a duty cycle sent from the PCM. I assume its frequency and amplitude would change with the commanded duty cycle. We were only looking at it at 70% duty cycle. Maybe when I get the new part we can look at it again as the car warms up and is commanded at different rates?
This is really a partial diagnosis, if the PCM is bad then you should also check the Amps being pulled by the cooling fans themselves with an ammeter, as they get older and start to go bad they get hot, pull too many amps and blow the PCM. If you don't check the Amps (for a this vehicle it should be 6.6 Amps from each Fan) you'll end up blowing another PCM and needing to replace both fan motors and the PCM again.
So my car is doing the same thing and over heating I just wanna know where that thermostat sensor is
Had a Mazda 6 4 cyl with similar issue, fans would come on with no key in car and flatten battery. Was the fan module which comes with the fans. in Australia we can buy these aftermarket much cheaper then genuine.
Great vids, keep em coming.
Glen O'Hara I should have gotten one from down under then :) I got a Mazda one.. think it was $150 or $180 somewhere in there. Waiting on car to come back to install.
South Main Auto Repair You guys are lucky, because your market is so much bigger than ours, that price would be our aftermarket genuine would be much dearer.
Keep up the good work.
Oh interesting. Well thanks for watching. Would love to hear some stories any time you can add some :)
what settings did you used for the old vantage?
***** I was just graphing voltage on a 5v scale @ i think 50ms? I'll double check when it comes back in to be fixed
great, thanks...
Half breed indeed. Those were built at Auto Alliance in Flat Rock, Michigan. Mazda's version of that 3.0 had VVT, Ford's didn't originally. My eternal-project car is a 1993 MX6 from Flat Rock with the older all Mazda KL V6 that was also found in the Probes on the Ford side.
Garrett McEwen You just said Ford Probe... I think I just had a cold chill haha... Brings back bad memories as a young mechanic working on those...
Thanks for sharing. Are you a member of iatn? I have been pointed in the right direction many times on iatn.net with product knowledge, dealing with a make I'm unfamiliar with. I'm in the middle of a 13 month contract with Prodemand and am considering returning to Alldata Pro as Mitchell seems to be lacking in system descriptions on some things. I have to say though, that it is nice to have all makes wire diagrams in the same format.
I am not a member of IATN. I think I have looked at it in the past but it is a pay program right? Yeah MOD lacks here and there that is for sure. I have tried all three of the big companies out there and I think over all MOD seems to be the best fit for me.
Iatn is $15 per month, I value iatn as much as my info source ie- MOD. Its not just a bunch of chower heads giving bad advise, you have to prove credentials to be a member. I can't say enough good things about it, from tech help requests to tips to archives, so many sub forums, tool forum, shop management forum, etc... I learn stuff daily on there, you get to know the regulars, and there are a few hear and there that don't know what they are talking about, but it is very much something you should look into.
Iatn is affiliated with indentafix, maybe that's what you looked at, but I only have iatn $15 membership. It's not a bad price at all, but that and identafix and MOD, I just can't afford. Identafix is an info source, but is lacking in some things so much so, that it would have to be used in conjunction with MOD.
Oh got ya. If I get a chance I may check it out again.
Nice work- tell the customer to stop following the salt trucks LOL
Steve Rob Pfff you'd have to quit driving lol
please use the scope more often :)
Good
i think my moduler was bad and burned my fans up. good lesson here.
See mine does that after you turn it off and before i actually start the engine up where windows and radio are working
Yep, looks like a bad cooling fan module. That joker was started to sound like a jet engine when the blowers started winded up.
I was waiting for it to take off haha
South Main Auto Repair And they will soon come haha...
Damn, just realize you were probably talking about the fans....LOL
Lol
+South Main Auto Repair hey matt i have 03 mazda 6 3.0 took it and had the radiator flushed they left the hose loose and dumped all the antifreeze out i have been trying to get the antifreeze back in it but it just keeps blowing it back out
I got confused for a moment when I saw the maroon car. I thought I was on the other Eric's channel.
eldoradony**OUCH** Nope I work on more that an Acura Vigor here lol
South Main Auto Repair Hey there's nothing wrong with working on only 1 car. Them's fightin words. Seriously though being able to participate in the day to day routine of a real mechanic is valuable experience just to see what it looks and feels like being in a real shop. We realize you're on limited time and you do a superb job bringing us along with you with all the factors of real life that you have to deal with. Think I just found a new favorite channel. You're moving up on my favs list.
Lol thanks ***** ... ughhh did't mean anything by the one car comment lol
If I support the channel will you use the donation for a new hat?
Schrodingers Box Whats wrong with my hat Matt!?
It looks like it was run over by a lawn mower!!!
+ 1
Well you will be happy to know a "viewer" e-mailed me today and is sending me a new one... just fyi :)
send him one that has blonde hair sewn into it...I think the lady might, just might love it.
if i support the channel will you stop that damn ringbell?i know you have a lot of clients but jeezz XD lol
Uhhh well if the door bell, and the phone stops ringing it will be a channel more like ETCG. One vehicle to work on (my honda) I'll be in a shop with no heat and a whole lot of talkin bout cars instead of fixing them lol. Oh I prolly shouldn't have said that haha but no unfortunately I need the bell and the phone to keep on ringing... That pays the bills around here :D
Half-breed indeed. Ford/Mazda have been making vehicles together for a long time. The predecessor to this is my beloved 626 and they have 2 relays for low/high speed. Suppose the change to a module is so the speed can be more accurately controlled for more efficient use of cooling. Locating it behind the fan shroud is just universally stupid. I think some engineers get their degrees from legoland university.
***** Are you kidding me. We all know a Lego master builder like Emmit or Wildstyle could make a pretty sweet ride. (Hope you saw the Lego movie) haha... Any how it is on the shroud because it has a huge heat sink molded on it so I assume it needs to "stay cool" or at least have some air flow across it.
South Main Auto Repair Yup sounds like a Ford design.
Funny how they noticed the fans running when car is off , but said nothing about the car sounding like a airplane taking off . Sometimes customers tickle me . Well not really knock me down and tickle , but you know what i mean .
wtbm123 Haha I hear ya... Radio was prolly cranked up a little to loud :)
We have a 3.2 v6 2004 a3 and the cooling fan stays on that for good 30 seconds normal so min told
hmmm have you looked into it at all?
No but will do its always been like it and comes one and go's off like clock work
interesting...
Ummm
May be part of the programming strategy then..
That pcm is like big brother,controls everything,
Tom OConnor It is command central..
I really do believe that these engineers come up with some design changes just to try and justify their position. it is something new and or different so it must be better! or because they came up with it, that means it is better. we all have our delusions I suppose. I would have to pick Toyota as having the best electrical/electronic design and component quality. not to say they do not have their issues
Hey it gives them something to do ya know. It has to be better because it is different...that's true right? If it is on Facebook then it must be true too?! Any how I agree I do like my Yota's and Honda's but hey what mechanic doesn't right?
That's a hurricane fan!
also my car has 2 modules
NCA No color Assigned.
I noticed your scope is "Windows" based? XP? 7? This company www.piriform.com has 2 wonderful tools- that will make that run _better than new_.
They are Ccleaner and Defraggler. Both *FREE* (scroll down to bottom of web page, only download from Piriform and *NOT* File Hippo (mirror). Yes- they even work with mobile and SSD drives, flash drives, etc. With the Defraggler- do *NOT* choose to "replace Windows Defrag". Also- another nice, more thorough cleaner is www.koshyjohn.com "Diskmax". I have used all 3 for *years* now- zero problems. You wouldn't believe the wasted space by junk installers, cookies, etc. After a good defrag- it will be like *new* again. The first initial runs will take a while- so do at night. Run on a daily basis (Defraggler has a programmable schedule) it will be great.
cooling fan comes on and yank!.. then vantage gets sucked in cooling fan,,
phil holbrook Eric turns off camera and throws a fit...
so if i got this right, the cooling fan comes on when the engine is off the pcm isnt supplying the module with a signal??
That is correct. KOEO that fan does what ever it wants. As soon as you shut the car off and the main relay de-energizes then it shuts down. New module showed up today and I am waiting for the car to return...
on he early 2000s blazer known for loose steering? a coworker of mine wants to buy one but the steering is loose
4x4
my friend i found this item but it says this.......what is this means.....how do i know if is compatible with my car...hope you can help me thanks
Replaces
OE # 1355A124, AJ511515YA, AJY215SC0, AJY215SCO, L3361515YA
OE # AJ511515YA
Edwen Rodriguez I would contact the manufacture of the part to find out.
christ almighty. why does it sound like a top fuel dragster?!
Mazda does ford better than ford. Fords only good subcompacts were designed by mazda, the ranger truck, ford escort. Yea, escort was bad but then think about the cavilier or neon, yea, none are still driving. Its not uncommon to see escorts and rangers, or even tge mazda trucks.