Electric Cooling Fan - Inspection, Removal

Inspection

The cooling fan is switched on by a relay controlled by a temperature switch located on the thermostat cover (4A-FE engines) or on the lower radiator tank (3S-FE engines). On models with a 4A-FE engine and air conditioning, an air pressure sensor is built into the fan switch circuit. 3S-FE engines have two fans; on models with air conditioning, a magnetic clutch relay is built into the control circuit of the first fan.

Detailed fan troubleshooting can be performed with Toyota special equipment at a service station, but a preliminary check can be performed yourself as follows:

· If the fan does not appear to operate, warm up the engine to operating temperature and let it idle. The fan should switch on after a few minutes (before the temperature gauge needle enters the red zone).

· The fan motor can be checked by disconnecting it from the control circuit and connecting it directly to a 12 V power source. The motor should run; otherwise it is faulty.

· If the fan motor is good but the fan still does not switch on, the wiring, relay or temperature sensor may be faulty. Other faults can only be detected at a suitably equipped service station.

Removal

Make sure the ignition is off, then disconnect the fan electrical connector.

· Remove the fan mounting bolts from the rear of the radiator, then lift the fan out, taking care not to damage the radiator fins. · If necessary, remove the nuts and separate the shroud from the fan.