Underhood fuse Panel

I've been having problems with the cooling fan operation and it was
recommended that I clean the relay under the underhood fune panel. I'm
not quite sure how to remove the panel to get under it to access the
connectors. Any help would be appreciated.

 

I'm not positive, but I think the intent wasn't for you to remove the
entire block, but just to pull the relay. The UH fuse box is near the
airbox/airfilter housing and the battery on the driver's side. If you
find and pull the fan relay, cleaning the pins on the relay and the
matching connectors, I think that should cover the recommendation you got.

The fan motor could simply be wearing out.

-rj
98SL2

 

What problem are you having with the fan? Does it operate at all at any
setting? Does it only operate at certain speed? Does it work intermittently.
If we know a little more info maybe we would have a better answer for you.
If the fan works at some speed but not at others it is usually an open
blower resistor. If it does not work at all then you could have a relay
problem.
Alex

 

Ditto to Alex's comments. And I'll add this: turn on the air conditioner
and see if the fan comes on. On my Saturn, and I think most cars, the fan
runs continuously when the air is on. If the fan comes on, that proves that
both the fan motor and the relay are good. The problem may be with the
coolant temperature sensor, a $20.00 item (approx). On my car it screws into
the block on the drivers side of the engine. You need the two wire one that
interacts with the Power Control Module, not the one wire one that controls
the temp indicator on the instrument panel. Suggestion: buy a Chilton's.
It will show the exact location and how to get to it.

If the fan fails to turn on with the air on, then the problem could be
either the fan motor or the relay. You can test the fan by running a 12
volt source directly to its connector.

As to the relay, I think the person who told you to "clean the relay" meant
for you to pull it out and inspect the tines that plug into the socket and
to scour off any corrosion found there. If what you meant was you don't
know how to take the lid off of the fuse box, I'm afraid that I have to
recommend that you stop what you are doing at once and take the car to
garage.

Good luck
Gary

 

Thanks for all the replies. I think I misunderstood what was recommended.
The fan does come on when the A/C is turned on, and I had already tested
the relay. The engine cooling fan comes on at different times at
different temps (based on the temp guage). Since the problem (if it is a
problem) is intermittent I thought it might be a corroded/loose connection
but couldn't find any. Since I had never seen the underside of the fuse
panel I though maybe there were some connectors under there. I guess not.

 

My fan was working intermittently and a bit slow. One of the windings on
the fan motor was shot. Maybe some other part in the motor. $25 later and
a new fan from the auto part store and it was fixed. Oh, it did take about
an hour to pull the old motor and put in the new one.

 

That set of symptoms is consistent with the brushes being worn out.

Those motors are wear items - they're sealed but they have brushes that wear
out.