96 Contl Radiator Fan motors

[rgabe]

My A/C is acting up. It seems the motor noise I heard at start up sounded as if it were a bad bearing noise then later in the week it stopped, so did the fan motors. Neither of the two go on and the engine overheats unless road air is speeding throught the radiator. Is this a job I should take on? Is there a replacement fan moter available other than dealer parts and is it common for a 47,000 mile fan motor to get bad bearings? I tried to spin the fans under the hood and the passenger side will spin easily but the driver side is very hard to move. Any suggestions as to how I might test and repair this problem? Thankyou!

[Bluegrass]

Call around to some parts stores and parts yards in your area for the fan. You should be able to handle the replacement work if hand tools are at hand. They plug up electrically. The fan bearings can go dry at almost any time.

[Steve L]

I can help you. If the fan is tight (rotating, and or at all noisey)replace both fans at the same time. You only want to do this once. Contact NAPA Auto Parts for fan motors. Motors are made by Siemen's. NAPA will have the Siemen's part no. as their part no. listing. Single speed is (1) harness connector. (2) speed is listed as heavy duty and has (2) connectors at 160 degrees apart. I do not have these part no. at this time . I can get them next week (tuesday). Single speed motor they may have in stock. (2) Speed motor ,will probably have to order. About (3) days unless you pay for overnite air delivery. I believe I paid about $245.00 for both. Ford/ Lincoln only sells fan,motor and shroud as an assembly at $520 to $630. The manual wants you to remove the Fan Assy and Radiator and AC Condensor as one unit. "That Bites". Engine must be cold. I performed the task by removing the engine management control box mounted to the fan shroud. Remove the fan motor harnesses carefully from the motors. Try not to break the clips.If you do, apply silicon sealer to the external connectors after the job is complete. If the connectors of the harness is heat welded to the motor, you must break/peel the motor connector apart to be able to salvage the main harness. Some filing to clean up the harness connectors may be necessary .Loosen the harness across the radiator core support.The clips that hold this harness on may break. You can tye-wrap later.You will need to remove (2) bolts,(1) at each end of the radiator core support Remove the fan shroud bolts and brace R.H. side. May have to remove (2) cooling hoses and the oxygen sensor located at the exhaust manifold. Pull the fan shroud back carefully at the left side and unclip the fan blade.A very small flat blade screwdriver and telescoping magnet will help greatly. Spray the fan blade shaft with WD-40. To loosen the blade from the shaft, Rock the fan blade until it comes off. Remove the three bolts from the fan motor and shroud. Take out the motor. Reinstall with reverse procedures. Move to the right side and perform the same The right side motor will come out with some rotational effort from the bottom. The exhaust manifold will be your enemy before you accomplish this task. Study the route of how it finally comes out.You will need to install the new motor in exactly the same route going back in. Expect (3) hours and a box of bandaids to perform this fete due to the amount of scratches your arms will get. Good luck and I hope this will help. Steve L.

[Bluegrass]

Thank you Steve for all the helpful info.

[rgabe]

Thank you. I was told that I needed to confirm that the sensor was working first. Since on the 96 it is permanently fastened to the fan schroud and cant be replaced. In later models the ford engineers moved the sensor to a better location. I am looking into your suggestions and thank you very much for your quick responce.

[rgabe]

Steve, I assume RH is my right as I face the opened hood of the engine which is the driver side? Yes?Also looks like a job for someone with small hands too.

[rgabe]

Replaced the one fan on Drivers side, 5 hours later, all is working well. Thanks again.

[Steve L]

Normal orientation of the car is based on the operator sitting in the seat of the car(Right, passenger side)- (Left, drivers side). It gets a little confusing when you are orientating yourself with the transverse engine arrangement as in the 1995 thru 2002 continentals. [Engine, front head] is located toward the radiator.[Engine, back head] is located toward the firewall or windshield. I said it can be confusing!

[rgabe]

You said it!

quote:Originally posted by Steve L:
Normal orientation of the car is based on the operator sitting in the seat of the car(Right, passenger side)- (Left, drivers side). It gets a little confusing when you are orientating yourself with the transverse engine arrangement as in the 1995 thru 2002 continentals. [Engine, front head] is located toward the radiator.[Engine, back head] is located toward the firewall or windshield. I said it can be confusing!