Possible Radiator fan problem

[moorecruizin]

OK- new problem has developed. whenever the A/C is on at Idle speed amd the car is idling for a few minutes the A/C starts to warm up from the vents and the coolant temp goes up. Could be the fan motor, the fan relay, or something in the PCM. It goes into the dealer tomorrow morning. I have 70K on it and no warranties. I think the honeymoon is over for good now

[MX-5]

Anytime the AC compressor is on, the fan should be running.

That should be easy to check.

[moorecruizin]

Right. I was looking for the fan to come on with the A/C on and all that happened was that the coolant temp went up and so did the A/C temperature. According to the service manual, the fan should come on (with the A/C on) at a lower cooant temp than any other condition. I took it into the dealership this morning. He thinks it's the fan relay or possibly a bad fan motor.

this is been going on for a couple of months now and at first we thought there was something wrong with the A/C. Of course when we start driving the car, everything cools down and the A/C starts putting out again. I didn't notice the overtemp condition until yesterday, when the overtemp idiot light came on. I noticed it while driving and then turned off the A/C and the temp started coming back down as air passed througn the radiator.

I've already spent $140 on repairs this month and I did all the labor. This is just going to be one more bill. Its getting to the point where the average guy can't work on his car without having an OBD Scan tool or other diagnostic tools. bummmer

Sorry about the rant.......

[moorecruizin]

Originally posted by moorecruizin
OK- new problem has developed. whenever the A/C is on at Idle speed amd the car is idling for a few minutes the A/C starts to warm up from the vents and the coolant temp goes up. Could be the fan motor, the fan relay, or something in the PCM. It goes into the dealer tomorrow morning. I have 70K on it and no warranties. I think the honeymoon is over for good now

Ok just got the phone call from the dealership. I need a new radiator fan assembly---$487. This damm car better start paying for itself . Thats $627 in repairs this month. This kind of thing should not be happening to an '01 car!!!!!!

[MX-5]

Originally posted by moorecruizin
a new radiator fan assembly---$487.

Better shop around!

Part Number Search Results : Mechanical Catalog
Part Number .........List Price..............Your cost
5017407ab............ $242.00 ..................$169.40
Cooling system - Cooling fan - Fan module
FAN MODULE, PT Cruiser 2003
Add to Cart Contact Us


From here:
http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...?siteid=213794

[moorecruizin]

actually the bill came to $458 and some change and 140 of that was for labor with another 13 bucks or so thrown in for the EPA.

I would have shopped around had I known exactly what the problem was. It could have been either the fan, fan relay, or something in the PCM causing the problem and since I don't own the diagnostic tools to figure this out--guess what --I take it to the dealer.

MX-5 Thanks for the link. know where I can get a diagnostic tool for the PT at a reasonable price?

barry

[MX-5]

If you are willing to learn automotive electronics and driveability, you can get a used OTC 4000, OTC Genisis, or Snap-On MT-2500 for around $1000 on E-Bay.


I've well over $2500 in my OTC.