Radiator Cooling Fan Motor: Service and Repair
Engine Coolant Fan Motor Replacement
Special Tools
GE-47827 - Socket
Removal Procedure
Warning
An electric fan under the hood can start up even when the engine is not running and can injure you. Keep hands, clothing and tools away from any underhood electric fan.
Warning
To help avoid personal injury or damage to the vehicle, a bent, cracked, or damaged fan blade or housing should always be replaced.
Warning
Unless directed otherwise, the ignition and start switch must be in the OFF or LOCK position, and all electrical loads must be OFF before servicing any electrical component. Disconnect the negative battery cable to prevent an electrical spark should a tool or equipment come in contact with an exposed electrical terminal. Failure to follow these precautions may result in personal injury and/or damage to the vehicle or its components.
For Vehicles equipped with OnStar(R) (UE1) with Back Up Battery:
The Back Up Battery is a redundant power supply to allow limited OnStar(R) functionality in the event of a main vehicle battery power disruption to the VCIM (OnStar(R)module). Do not disconnect the main vehicle battery or remove the OnStar(R) fuse with the ignition key in any position other than OFF. Retained accessory power (RAP) should be allowed to time out or be disabled (simply opening the driver door should disable RAP) before disconnecting power. Disconnecting power to the OnStar(R) module in any way while the ignition is On or with RAP activated may cause activation of the OnStar(R) Back-Up Battery (BUB) system and will discharge and permanently damage the back-up battery. Once the Back-Up Battery is activated it will stay on until it has completely discharged. The BUB is not rechargeable and once activated the BUB must be replaced.
1. Remove the fan shroud assembly from the vehicle. Refer to Engine Coolant Fan Shroud Replacement Service and Repair.
Note:
Hold the fan blade to prevent rotation.
2. Using GE-47827 - Socket turn the fan motor drive plate in the opposite direction of the arrow on the fan blade until the motor drive plate disengages from the fan blade.
3. Remove and discard the fan blade.
Caution:
Failure to tape off all of the entry points to the cooling fan motor(s) will allow debris to enter and damage the motor(s).
Note:
When reusing the fan motor tape off the front and rear entry points of the fan motor before drilling the rivets.
4. Center punch each of the rivets (1) from the rear of the motor.
5. Drill the head of the rivets (1) from the fan motor using a 6.35 mm (0.25 in) drill bit.
6. Tap the rivets out of the fan shroud.
7. Remove the fan motor from the fan shroud.
Note:
Blow off any excess debris from the fan motor.
8. Remove the tape covering the entry points from the fan motor.
Installation Procedure
1. Install the engine cooling fan motor to the fan shroud.
Note:
Position the fan motor to the fan shroud and insert the bolts from the front side.
2. Install the cooling fan motor bolts.
Caution:
Refer to Fastener Caution Fastener Caution.
3. Install the cooling fan motor nuts and tighten to 6 Nm (53 lb in).
Caution:
Failure to heat the fan hub in hot tap water before installation will result in cooling fan failure due to cracking. Allowing the heated fan to cool for more than one minute prior to installation will also result in failure due to cracking.
Note:
Using hot tap water at a minimum of 49°C (120°F), hold the new fan blade hub under the running water for a minimum of 60 seconds to heat the fan blade to the temperature of the water.
Immediately after heating, position the fan blade on the fan motor drive plate.
4. Install the new engine cooling fan blade.
Note:
Hold the fan blade to prevent rotation.
5. Using the GE-47827 - Socket turn the fan motor drive plate in the same direction of the arrow on the fan blade until the fan motor drive plate engages to the fan blade. Full engagement is attained when the motor drive plate fully occupies the three slots in the face of the fan blade.
6. Rotate the cooling fan blade to ensure proper rotation.
7. Install the fan shroud assembly to the vehicle. Refer to Engine Coolant Fan Shroud Replacement Service and Repair.