Radiator Fan replacement outside of warranty

[Beggers]

Hi all,

 

My car overheated this weekend while sat in traffic, I was able to pull over just in time to see it vent. After letting her cool down and topping up the coolant, i was able to drive home (although the Orange Engine Light was on).

Checking the car i've deduced that the fans are not operating. ie leaving the running on the drive, temp gradually raising, but fans not kicking in, and then today i performed the Auto Active Test, i could hear the relays clicking etc but the fans did not operate. I want to perform some further tests, but so far it seem likely that the fans have failed given all the similar hits i find when googleing.

What amazes me however is that Nissan US extended the Warranty for the fans because of this issue, extending them to 84K/7 year. Why is this not the same here in the UK, don't the cars come from the same factory? I know there are soem slight differences, but surely the fans are the same. if so Nissan have acknowledged there is an issue and we should be equally covered?

 

I'll be ringing my dealer in the morning, i'm not expecting to get anywhere, but i can at least try. Anybody know where i can get a set of replacement fans/motors and how difficult is it to replace?

 

cheers

[max]

Very easy swap took me about one hour to change both fans, i got my fans from Alex for around a third of the price Nissan quoted me.

max.

[ZMANALEX]

Nice one Max

 

Here you go Beggers, in stock and good to go

 

viewtopic.php?f=157&t=48509

 

Alex.

[calibre]

For the benefit of people reading this and thinking "auto active test??"

 

(CLOSE THE BONNET!, rad caps etc, etc,! - as if your ready to drive away)

 

"Auto Active Test AKS0012J

DESCRIPTION

In auto active test mode, operation inspection can be performed when IPDM E/R sends a drive signal to the

following systems:

Rear window defogger

Front wipers

Tail and parking lamps

Headlamps (Hi, Lo)

A/C compressor (magnetic clutch)

Cooling fan

OPERATION PROCEDURE

1. Close hood, front door RH and lift wiper arms away from windshield (to prevent glass damage by wiper

operation).

NOTE:

When auto active test is performed with hood opened, sprinkle water on windshield beforehand.

2. Turn ignition switch OFF.

3. Turn ignition switch ON and, within 20 seconds, press front door switch LH 10 times. Then turn ignition

switch OFF.

4. Turn ignition switch ON within 10 seconds after ignition switch OFF.

5. When auto active test mode is actuated, horn chirps once.

6. After a series of operations is repeated three times, auto active test is completed.

NOTE:

When auto active test mode has to be cancelled halfway, turn ignition switch OFF.

CAUTION:

Be sure to inspect BL-70, "Door Switch Check" when the auto active test cannot be performed.

INSPECTION IN AUTO ACTIVE TEST MODE

When auto active test mode is actuated, the following seven steps are repeated three times.

NOTE:

It will take ten seconds from test 3 to 4.

 

 

SKIA3142E"

 

The other quick way to test is simply starting your car (cold or hot) and regardless of temperature the fans should come on at least LOW speed when ever the A/C is up to speed/temperature

 

I have found that letter from the US - nissan extended the warranty from 3 years to 7 years (80,000 mile limit) on 04-07 models as the fans are known to be dodgy and fail.

 

Cheaper option, some suggest you (or an electric motor specialist) can pop open the (sealed) units and replace various bits n bobs and fix em. Certainly cheaper than the £700 a pair (just the motor, not the fan) quote I saw

 

- check the UK warranty/recall situation first - if they did it in the states, why not do it here, it's a fault and your rights are your rights car dealers are no exception and legally there is no limit to the length of care a reseller must give, it is decided by the courts based on the value of the item in question - so car's are a no brainer + the US statement admitting faulty motor's (I hear no win, no fee solicitors alarm bells ringing)

[calibre]

For the WHOLE thing (not genuine but for the price....) ie. for the plastic shroud, BOTH fan's/motor's etc in the states it's $110 DELIVERED that's £63.68 to the Americans + about £75 on top if you want UK shipping

 

In the UK dealers want £700 - some will supply JUST the motor's for half that

You can upgrade your rad to a MIZU - thicker core (twin core design), higher fin density + addition fan shroud incl. fan's for about £300-500 (depending on where in the world you are) .....so OEM or UPGRADE may be the question.

 

-valid excuse to upgrade, easily justified to the other 1/2.....

 

Woo-hoo

 

I wonder what upgrades ZMANALEX has to offer........