97 Contour Radiator fan only works when A/C is on - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

CWC94RANGER · 05-29-2007, 07:19

I have a 97 Ford Contour and I have just noticed that the temp. on the gage has creeped up to almost the red (at the white line beore it goes into the red area on the gage). One thing that I found is the radiator fan is not coming on. However, when I turn the A/C on the fan comes on and works fine. I turn the A/C off and the fan goes off after it cycles. I'm pretty sure since the fan comes on with the A/C that the fan is O.K. Has anyone ever encountered this problem and could point to what I need to check. Thanks in advance for any help.

CWC94RANGER · 06-06-2007, 07:05

Has anyone ever experienced this problem?

Thanks

Aussiblue · 06-07-2007, 05:27

Is it an aftermarket fan? Often an additional aftermarket fan is fitted to cars and wired into the air con compressor with a relay so it only works when the compressor is running.

CWC94RANGER · 06-07-2007, 10:13

As far as I know it is original equipment (fan). It only has one fan.

thefonz · 06-07-2007, 16:14

I can't swear to it, but I think therr are two sending units. One for the gauge and one for the fan to come on. I believe all it does is create a ground at a certain temp to signal the fan to come on. You could try to pull the wire and ground it and see if the fan comes on. If it does, the sending unit is bad.
(You have checked fluid level haven't you?)

CWC94RANGER · 06-08-2007, 03:42

Yep...has anti freeze. So, pull the ground to the sending unit or the ECT. I did pull the connector off of the ECT and the fan came on an ran and would not shut off. Hopefully I'll have a chance to look at this weekend. Thanks for the response.