How to Change the Radiator Fan Assembly on My 2001 Cavalier

Throughout the 1960s, 1970s and early-1980s, Chevrolet attempted to compete against economical foreign cars with compact cars of their own, including the Corvair, Vega and Monza. None of these cars proved overly successful, so Chevy changed its strategy and released the four-cylinder powered, front-driven Cavalier in 1982. The 2001 Cavalier came standard with a 115-horsepower 2.2-liter engine and had an optional 150-horsepower 2.4-liter available. Both engines used an electric fan to keep coolant temperatures within specification. Replacing the radiator fan assembly is the same straightforward process on both engines.

Instructions

1

Remove the six pin-style retaining clips securing the radiator fill panel -- the panel on top of the radiator -- by prying the center pin upward on each clip with a flat-head screwdriver, then prying each pin-style clip from the panel. Pull the fill panel from the engine compartment.

2

Unfasten the two upper radiator mount bolts from the upper radiator support with a ratchet and socket. This allows the radiator to move forward to aid removal of the fan.

3

Raise the front of the Cavalier with a floor jack and slide jack stands under the vehicles subframe. Lower the Chevy onto the jack stands. Crawl beneath the vehicle and find the bolt on the lower, passengers side corner of the fan assembly. Remove this bolt with a ratchet and socket.

4

Pry the locking tab on the cooling fan wiring harness downward, using a flat-head screwdriver to unlock it, then pull the harness from its receptacle on the cooling fan assembly.

5

Push upward on the drivers side of the fan assembly to disengage its retaining clips. Crawl out from under the vehicle and look on the top of the radiator to find where the cooling fan assembly hooks over the radiator. Pull upward on the cooling fan, and push it rearward to disengage the hook from the radiator.

6

Crawl back under the vehicle and pull the fan assembly from the underside of the Cavalier. It will be a tight fit, so use caution so as not to damage the radiator.

7

Guide the fan into place from under the vehicle, sliding the drivers side of the fan in first. Straighten the fan, then carefully guide the fan into its correct mounting position.

8

Crawl out from under the vehicle and guide the hook on the top of the fan assembly over the top of the radiator. Guide the tabs on the drivers side of the fan into the clips on the drivers side of the radiator, then press the fan downward to snap the tabs into the clips.

9

Position yourself under the vehicle and hand-thread the fan's retaining bolt. Tighten the retaining bolt to 5 foot-pounds with a torque wrench and socket. Plug the wiring harness into the receptacle on the new cooling fan.

10

Raise the Cavalier off the jack stands with a floor jack, then remove the jack stands. Lower the vehicle to the ground.

11

Hand-thread the radiator mount-to-upper radiator support bolts, then torque them to 8 foot-pounds.

12

Set the radiator fill panel back into place on top of the radiator and insert the six pin-style clips. Press the center pin on each clip inward until the pin is flush with the head of the clip.