2000 Dodge Caravan Radiator Fan Switch

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Isaac Davis - 03 Jul 2003 03:19 GMT

Does anyone have an idea of where this switch is located? I went to
the dealer and bought it, and it's about a 1.5x1.5 square module with
a four wire connector that plugs into it. I thought most sensors for
the radiator fans mounted in the radiator, but the guy insisted this
was it. He said it was down the radiator on the right hand side.
Getting home, I cannot locate this thing at all. It has a part
#1-04707286AF. The part looks like one side is metal, and the top is
plastic, and on the label, it says

04707268AF
Rev. A
64469D
3192C

I am beginning to wonder if even the dealer knows what they are
talking about, or if they sold me the right part. I would be happy
just to find the thing on the van.

I replaced the thermostat and gasket last week, and now this week, the
fans are refusing to come on. I have checked the 40a fuse in the
fusebox in the engine compartment, and even checked to make sure the
fuse was getting voltage. Usually, turning the AC on overrides
everything and the fans come on, but not anymore. They won't turn on
when the AC is running, or when the van is getting hot.
Any help is greatly appreciated.
Isaac

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Robert Hancock - 03 Jul 2003 04:43 GMT

That part sounds like a fan relay, not a temperature sensor. If the fan
doesn't come on with the A/C, it won't be the temperature sensor anyway..

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Robert Hancock Saskatoon, SK, Canada
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> Does anyone have an idea of where this switch is located? I went to
> the dealer and bought it, and it's about a 1.5x1.5 square module with
[quoted text clipped - 22 lines]
> Any help is greatly appreciated.
> Isaac

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Isaac Davis - 03 Jul 2003 18:49 GMT

> That part sounds like a fan relay, not a temperature sensor. If the fan
> doesn't come on with the A/C, it won't be the temperature sensor anyway..

Robert,
Thanks for the help. I still haven't found the location yet, and
was going to return the sensor today, and just bring it in to the
dealer. Through an email, I might have a lead on the location (under
the battery tray). I will check it out tonight, and see if I can find
that thing.

For some reason, probably me fumbling with all the connectors, the
fans started working again last night. I am not naive enough to
believe that the problem is now fixed, and will continue trying to
figure out what the real problem is. A loose connection is possible,
but I tend to lean toward something more dramatic, and costly..
Isaac

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Art Welling - 04 Jul 2003 01:37 GMT

Hmm.... a few points.

One, the fan does not come on with the AC till the high side pressure
requires it, around 350 psi or so if I recall correctly. That can take
a few minutes, or maybe never if the system is a little discharged on
refridgerant.
It can be quite scary watching that high side rising on the test
gauges while wondering if the fan will come on, or it will blow a
valve.

Two, there is no 'fan switch', but there IS a coolent temp sensor
that the PCM reads and uses to make a decision on running the fans
or not.

Three, are you sure you have a problem? Unless the vehicle overheats
or the AC quits working, or the gauge reads far above 'normal' for the
vehicle, then you may just have a system thats working normally.

A tech can plug a bi-directional scanner into the ALDL and command the
fan/s on, as well as read the coolent temp sensor output.
It's usually an easy system to diagnose with the right tools.

> Robert,
> Thanks for the help. I still haven't found the location yet, and
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> but I tend to lean toward something more dramatic, and costly..
> Isaac

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sdbowmanii - 13 Nov 2006 21:14 GMT

>Hmm.... a few points.
>
[quoted text clipped - 23 lines]
>> but I tend to lean toward something more dramatic, and costly..
>> Isaac

The Part you have is a Fan Control Relay Module underneath Driver Side
Headlight. I replaced that on my van and it wasn't the problem but that is
where it is located crazy place. It's also a crazy price to compared to early
years of 5 or 6 dollars that went in fuse box. Hope this helps. Stanley

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sdbowmanii - 13 Nov 2006 21:21 GMT

>>Hmm.... a few points.
>>
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>where it is located crazy place. It's also a crazy price to compared to early
>years of 5 or 6 dollars that went in fuse box. Hope this helps. Stanley

You have to take the headlight out to get to it.
The problem is both my fans don't come on A/C Fan don't with the A/C on and
the Coolant Fan Don't come on before it starts running hot. I think have a
problem with the computer or a Wire/Fusible Link somewhere. One fan runs off
of the A/C Pressure Switch and the off of the Coolant Temp. Switch I have
already replaced the Coolant Temp Switch. I ran wires off the fans to the
battery to test that they both work and they do. This is where I am at with
this.

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