How to Rebuild Radiator Fan Motors

Operated by a thermostatically controlled switch, electric radiator fans are replacing belt-driven engine cooling fans attached to the water pump assembly. Original electric radiator cooling fans are most often constructed with no internal consumer-serviceable parts -- and are expensive to replace. However, there is an inexpensive way to rebuild an electric radiator fan with parts from an aftermarket electric radiator fan obtained at any auto supply store.

Instructions

1

Unplug the fan assembly wires with your hand. Unbolt the radiator fan shroud with a wrench and work the fan and shroud assembly free from the engine compartment with your hands. Unbolt the fan from the shroud with a wrench.

2

Remove the clip holding the fan blade to the motor shaft with a pair of pliers, and pull the fan blade from the shaft with your hand.

3

Drill two holes at opposite sides of the motor casing through the seam where the two casing sections overlap. Use a one-eighth-inch drill bit.

4

Snap off the attachment clips holding the motor casing sections together using a flat-head screwdriver. Remove the motor mounting screw from the base of the motor casing with the appropriate flat-head or Phillips screwdriver.

5

Tap the motor casing with a rubber mallet until the casing sections separate, and then pull the motor from the casing with your hands.

6

Dissemble an aftermarket radiator cooling fan, using the same procedure as with the original fan.

7

Insert the motor removed from the new fan into the original motor casing. Attach the new motor to the bottom of the original motor casing with the screw from the new fan and a screwdriver.

8

Attach the motor casing sections with sheet metal screws one-eighth inch in diameter by one-eighth inch in length inserted through the holes drilled into the sides of the casing. Tighten with a screwdriver.

9

Reattach the new fan blade to the new motor shaft with the pliers. Reconnect the motor casing to the fan shroud, and then install the fan shroud assembly back in the engine compartment with the wrenches.

10

Cut the fan motor wires from the base of the original plug in the engine compartment with a pair of electrical pliers. Insert the severed red positive wire from the fan wiring harness and the red positive wire leading from the new fan motor plug into opposite ends of a tube-style quick-connector. Squeeze the quick-connector as flat as possible with the electrical pliers, causing the metal tabs inside the connector to pierce the wire insulation, in order to establish the connection. Repeat the procedure with the black negative fan motor wires. Secure the wires away from the fan with a cable tie, if necessary.