1999 Dodge Caravan AWD 3.8L Radiator Fan Relay Replacement for Overheating Engine
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- Опубліковано 13 жов 2024
- If your engine is overheating, there can be many reasons as shown in this video. Radiator cap, thermostat, coolant leaks or head gasket failure (usually is a result of overheating, not a cause). Often overlooked are the electric radiator cooling fan(s) for slow speeds and stop idling. A relay controls these fans based on the state of the AC system, and the temperature of the coolant. This video shows how to locate, test and replace a failed solid state relay located under the air filter box on this 1999 Dodge Caravan. To test the electric radiator cooling fans first (a good idea), see other You-Tube videos. Hope this helps!
that was exactly what i needed to see the repair book that i have only have the electrical diagram see where it is at was amazing!! years later and still helping people out!! thank you
Thank you so very much for taking the time and putting the effort to help others with similar problems. Yu are saving us lots of money.
Dave, this is a great video! You have taken the mystery out of why my radiator fans were not working and provided the solution. Excellent detail and how to get to the relay switch. The original did not have thermal grease and thermal grease did not come with the kit. The parts store sold me dielectric grease, even though I asked for thermal grease, so I just cleaned the frame and put it on with no thermal grease. We will see how long it lasts.
Dude, Thanks!! you rock!
If you can reach it from underneath, why mess with removing the air filter box to access it from above?
Great point! Thank you. I think I originally pulled the air cleaner box to locate the relay before I knew for sure where it was.
don't worry about the bad quality it still was helpful thank you sir
Have the Grand Caravan 3.8L FWD version. same set up though. Thanks for showing this. My issue is the fan is constantly on now. My mech suggested the relay as the most likely culprit. Thanks to this vid, looks pretty simple. I now know what I am doing. :-)
thanks for the video... helped me with my 99 T&C thumbs up
Dave, my radiator fan also suddenly stayed on after the engine was turned off. We had to actually disconnect the battery because it would not turn off, not even after an hour, when the oil temp should have cooled enough to make the fan turn off. The next day, the fan did not start stay on and we wrongly assumed that it had fixed it's self. But of course, no such luck: the car started to overheat because now the fan is not turning on at all. Relay? or?.... should I just by a new car?
Thank you Pliny Sohl! I'm glad you appreciated the video. I hope it helped you fix you vehicle!
This is great, but figure if someone wants to watch this, they really really want to watch it, so a little more detail might be nice. In any case, thanks, I will be following your instructions in a few minutes.
Herma, maybe a new car would fix all problems, except cash-flow! I've been tempted at times to just stop fixin' stuff and just replace it. But it is always less expensive to repair, unless you are facing major issues like engine, transmission, body rusting out. The relay cost was $45.A shop would probably charge $125-$150 total to repair. In your case, the temperature sensor (threads into engine block on top) or the relay seem to be suspect. But since the fans never came back on (they probably won't when engine is cold), I would suspect the relay. However, the rad fans on most cars are for cooling at low speed in city and at idle. I assume driving at normal speeds the engine does not overheat? If temp indicator shows "normal" range when driving normally, then I would replace the relay. That's based on what I did with my car. A repair shop told me I had blown head gaskets and it would cost $2500. That's when I decided to troubleshoot the problem myself. Like medical, always get a second opinion! Good luck. Hope this helped.
Relay is under the car?
Yes Allen. Facing the front of the Caravan, down on the frame to the lower right. It's hard to see in the video, but its there. It is a flat piece about 2 x 2". You will have to lay on your back to reach it unless you have a lift. Have fun!😁
P.S. Allen, this relay controls the two radiator fans, so its close to the fan assembly.
@@wakeup7923 thank so much. I would check it tomorrow !
@@wakeup7923 hi to day I found out the fans relay ( dodge caravan 1999 v63.3 )is under driver side head light . I took out the head light model under is a plastic cover . Took out cover and see the relay . Hope you can tell other car owner that had the same car thank
Hello , I have a 2005 Dodge Caravan( 3.3 L) engine. Have a problem in the cooling water system, a decrease in the level of coolant in the radiator, main casket , radiator cap has been replaced and the( thermostat + casket) and still the same problem, although there is no leak ,Please How do I know where is the problem and how to fix the reason?
Good question. Coolant can only disappear by leak or "burning" (head gasket leak for example). Some things to look for:
1) Is excessive water in tailpipe or white cloud when engine running? If so could mean head-gasket still leaking (drawing coolant into cylinder and making steam). Head gasket can also cause a pressure leak when coolant system is over pressurized by leak forcing coolant out somewhere, such as rad cap, water pump shaft seal or small hole in radiator or hoses.
2) Heater core can also leak and is sometimes hard to find. Biggest evidence is wet carpet on floor under heater.
3) A pressure tester can be used on the radiator to see if pressure drops or increases when engine is running over several minutes while it is heated up.
4) Look for exhaust - visual and smell - from radiator when running at normal temp. CAUTION: Don't remove cap while hot - start with cool, engine and observe while it is warming up. If see or smell exhaust, likely is head-gasket leak. There is a kit available to attach to radiator neck to watch for bubbles. Eric the car guy has some good videos on testing for leaks.
5) Does van overheat, or just lose coolant? (probably overheats if enough coolant is lost.) Watch the temp guage and make sure it is steady in the operating range.
6) If you are sure the head gaskets (2) were replaced properly, including milling of heads if any warpage detected, then, you must be losing coolant as a leak somewhere. There are many places to watch carefully on the engine, hoses, radiator, heater core in box on firewall, etc. Park van on clean dry surface after driving to see if coolant is dripping from anywhere.
7) If all else fails ADD a CAN OF BAR'S LEAK TO COOLING SYSTEM. FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS. I have seen this stop leaks completely for years, including minor head gasket leaks.www.barsproducts.com
GOOD LUCK! Keep searching and you will find the answer!
Dave
Thank you very much for your precious time to answer the question, and accept sincerely
Glad to help. Hope you are able to figure out the problem!
My fan won't stop running even when the car is off. Do you think this is the part I need to replace?
Sorry for my late reply, but yes, that could be the problem. Try disconnecting the relay (see video) and see if the fan stops. Probably will and you'll know for sure the relay was the problem. The fan circuit seems to be "hot" all the time, even if the car is off and key removed. That's to cool down the coolant. Once the temp sensor says its cool enough, it tells the relay to open circuit. So it could also be the temp sensor is not reading correctly.
Dave Light
my fan relay keeps going bad on my 1997 Dodge Caravan any suggestions? The radiator and cooling fans are new.
My relay read 1.4 on 1 and 3. 2 and 4 are zero. But 1 and 4 also rwad 1.4. Is that normal?
Great video!! God bless you !!!
Thanks a lot for this video, good job!! NO OTHER videos show, how to test these little "stinkers" ;o) Thanks for the ohms numbers!! I have 1998 Plymouth Voyager 2,4 litre, which has, I believe, same cooling fan relay, at least looks like it! And it is in same location. Somebody else was working on this car, van is friend of mine, and when the "Shop'"returned a car, it was worse than before, coolant was leaking, empty, they fucked up coolant plug, which is plastic, so radiator was empty. I noticed that they changed this relay, basecally only thing what was done, like they said!!?? They changed the wires and plug into relay also, I just hope, that wires are connected correct?? Now coolant fans don't go on at all?? I did change coolant temperature sensor, and we did replace fan assembly also, that was not necessary, I noticed afterwards, since old fans did work, when I applied 12 volts in them! Anyway, I am assuming, that they either burned this replaced relay?/ or connected it wrong, since fans don't work?? I don't see any thermal grease behind relay??, I will take it out on this coming Saturday, and will test it, like you show here! I let you know, what was wrong later, thanks for your great video =) Somebody told me, maybe PCM is toasted??, but car works fine otherwise, and AC works too!!??
Thank you, Eero! Sorry, you have had so much trouble with the "shop". Electrical problems are very challenging! I doubt the PCM is toast if the car is running OK except for the fans. The radiator fans should cycle on/off depending on coolant temp. If the fans are not ever turning on, I would guess the relay is blown again. If the temperature indicator in the dashboard is reading OK - usually middle to slightly high, then the temp sensor is OK. I hope you got it fixed OK. Dave
I did test it, the sensor, this way, and it was, surprinsingly OK, 1+3 was 1.4 Ohms, and 2+4 was 0!! I have new temp. sensor already, if you connect those two pins, with short wire, power on, in temp. sensor harness, should fans go on?? Well, they don't? And when I took harness out from radiator cooling fan relay, it has power and ground, but I can't find signal, other small wire, when engine running and AC turned ON?? Should that signal be on?? Very confusing?? Also, if you connect those two big wires from radiator cooling fan relay harness, 12 V power and ground going to fans, should fans go on?? Well, they don't...., when I took other harness off going to new fans, and applied 12 V, both fans went ON??? I don't think PCM is toasted either, but why it does not send signal to turn fans ON??? My brains are getting "hot"???? Want to help my friend,...I don't know, what to do....??? Thanks
thanks for this vid!
I will gladly deposit .02 cents into your paypal for your information.
still don't know how to take out ribbitts
use a frog or toad if you have too.
You mean rivets?? Use a drill, and correct size drillbits =)