Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting A/C and cooling fan(s)

Howdy everyone. I'm new to this site and I have a question regarding the A/C and cooling fans on my 1995 Contour SE with the 2.5 liter Duratec. I tried doing an archive search, but the results didn't answer my questions. OK...I have two fans on my car. One is temperature controlled and only activates when the temperature reaches a certain level. The other fan, I believe, is supposed to engage when the A/C is turned ON. However, that second fan only engages for 3 seconds (while A/C is on), then stops, then re-engages for 3 seconds, etc. Shouldn't this fan stay on CONSTANTLY when my A/C system is on?! I had the cooling fan recall performed a year ago and Ford said everything checked out. Help would be much appreciated because I know NOTHING about cars... Thanks!

--TomCat
"If Bush was the answer....well, you know the rest I'm sure..."

Welcome onboard.

It being your first post I thought I should respond although I'm not sure I can solve or explain your problem. The cooling fan operation was changed in later models so they operate in tandem, so accordingly the wiring is different.

The symptoms you describe are indicative of a self resetting thermal protective device, which is part of the resistor used to allow 2 speed fan operation. I believe this was the part that your recall covered so I would suggest a return to dealer for repair.

p.s. Your post is a bit ambiguous re comment by dealer, I am presuming you mean at time of recall, rather than recently.

My 95 se also did the same(any non 95 have this problem?)I would suspect the low pressure swith isn't working right or the car actually low on r134a.

Thanks for the replies. I take it then, that the fan SHOULD stay on constantly when the A/C is on. The recall was performed almost a year ago. The system was re-charged two summers ago...could it be low so quickly? Anymore help is appreciated.

--TomCat
"I've acquired quite a taste, for a well-made mistake."

Is your a/c blowing cold air?
Is the a/c clutch engaging/disengaging in synch with fan cycling?

If no and yes, you need recharge.

The A/C will induce Hypothermia, but the fan is not cycling with the compressor...it is off by a few seconds.

Sounds like refrigerant OK and the side of a/c pressure switch that allows clutch to operate is OK, therefore let's assume other half of switch that works fans is OK too. Leads us back to thermal limiter on fan resistor.

BTW I presume time (ie length) of cycles; a/c clutch and fan are different, 'cause I believe there is an inherent delay before fan power is removed.

Well I spent some time reviewing the Ford manual and have become extremely frustrated by its errors/lack of clarity/lack of circuit descriptions. I have found this with other problems as well. You really have to confirm on the car what manual is/or is not, telling you.

If you want to troubleshoot yourself my suggestion is to measure volts across terminals of fan resistor/thermal limiter. and see if they vary between +12 and some lesser amount, coinciding with fan off after being on and fan running. Obviously you will measure zero to start with a/c off, when fan is not required to be on. The 12 volt reading would coincide with circuit interruption by thermal limiter in series with resistor.

Note: Although I've said terminals above you would actually measure at connector wires, green/white(+) and green/black(-), Haynes shows both wires as green/white.

Edit @ 8:20pm

Just curious if you've found the problem, yet?

Thnx
Paul

Me, too.

I appreciate the technical replies...but as my name suggests, it is all gibberish to me! I do well just to open the hood and check the oil...therefore I have to clue what you guys are really talking about, or how to try and search for the problem/cure?! If I take it back to the dealer, will they charge me to see if the recall was actually performed correctly? THANKS!