1996 Mercedes-Benz E300 Air Conditioning Condenser Fan Assembly Replacement Cost

Condenser fans on average last over 100,000 miles, with the bulk of replacements occurring at the 110,000 - 125,000 mile interval. There is no clear means of preventing the condenser fan from failing, but there is also a risk of road debris causing damage to the fan during normal operation. Ensuring the plastic guards underneath the vehicle are intact and secured in place can help prevent road hazards to the condenser cooling fan.

If the condenser fan is cracked or broken the technician will hear noise and feel vibration, and a quick inspection will yield that the fan is the cause. However, a condenser cooling fan which is not functioning has several possible causes. The technician will first check for power at the fan when the air conditioner is turned on. If the fan has power but will not function, the fan will be removed and bench tested to make the determination of the condition of the fan motor. If there is no power, the technician must locate the cause for loss of power, which may be a bad relay, faulty wiring, or even the air conditioner control module.

Replacing the cooling fan for the air conditioning condenser will likely require the radiator and condenser fan assembly to be removed as a unit, and the condenser fan can be separated once the unit is removed. Once the new condensor fan is replaced, the assembly can be reinserted into the front of the engine bay, secured to the radiator core support, and connected electronically before testing.

We do not recommend the air conditioning system be used in the event the condenser cooling fan has failed or is failing. This can result in abnormal pressures in the refrigerant system, undue wear on the air conditioning compressor, and leaking seals.

Many models of vehicles will have multiple sizes of condenser cooling fans, and the size of the cooling fan is typically not listed on the part for reordering the fan. Instead, the part number should be used when ordering the new condenser fan to ensure receipt of the proper components.

This can be a good job for the DIY mechanic to tackle in an evening or weekend. Testing the fan and fan circuit should be done with the assistance of the service manual and wiring schematic to ensure an accurate diagnosis. As long as safety precautions are taken against electric shock, this job should go smoothly.