Hi Scotty,
I have a 2006 Toyota Sienna LE (3.3 Liter V6; FWD; 226,000 miles--bought new--well maintained). Recently, the passenger side radiator fan would stop spinning. A couple of taps on the motor housing would sometimes convince it to spin, but the problem got worse. So I replaced the radiator fan assembly with one made by Spectra Premium. Honestly it is a spitting image of one sold by Dorman Manufacturing, so I don't know who really manufactured it.
Long story short, the new fans both spin, but they don't seem to spin as fast as they should on a hot summer day with the AC on max. There is a fan control module mounted on the fan assembly--it is the original. I know these fans are provided DC current via relays and the fan control module, but I don't know where to start. What do you think?
Thanks for your dedication to us driveway DIYers.
I would tart by checking the fan relay by tapping on it. If the fans come up to speed, replace the relay. If not, then I would suspect the control module. Also, check your alternator output with a meter to see if your getting between about 12.5 and 14.5 volts with the engine running.
I meant to say Start, sorry.
Doc,
Thanks for your suggestions. I haven't tried tapping on the fan control module housing, so I'll give that a shot. DC reading with engine idling is 14.1 vdc on my fluke 87.
I tapped on the housing of the fan control module repeatedly and there was no change. Is it safe to bypass the control module and run test leads directly from the battery to each fan--one at a time? With no in line resistance introduced into the circuit, I would think each fan should spin at maximum speed.
I also left out one major detail in my initial explanation of symptoms: The AC performance degrades when the minivan is at a standstill, idling. At road speed, the temperature does drop. I figured the fans were not spinning fast enough at idle to maintain sufficient heat dissipation from the coil in front of the radiator.
Did you notice that the car runs hotter?
Yaser,
The temp gauge pretty much stays put in the middle (normal operating temp). I was concerned because I remember how fast the OEM fans used to spin on hot summer days with the AC on max. The new fans spin, but not even close to the rate I was used to seeing on such warm days.