Radiator Fan Clutch Replacement Cost Estimate

Diagnosing a fan clutch which does not function properly is different for mechanically actuated clutches verses electronically actuated clutches. Mechanically actuated clutches are diagnosed by their inability to maintain proper fan speed during operation, and the amount of tension required to turn the fan while the engine is stopped. This is the same for an electrically actuated fan clutch, except the fan clutch switch and relay will need to be tested for proper operation before declaring the clutch faulty. If the fan clutch switch or fan clutch relay is not activating the fan clutch, the fan clutch can seem as though it requires replacement, when, in fact, it is not receiving power.

Replacing the radiator fan clutch requires that the fan be disconnected from the fan clutch, and this means the fan will need to be locked or held in position to loosen all fasteners. Once the fasteners for the fan are removed, the fan clutch will either be removed with the fan drive shaft, or pulled from the drive shaft if it is not replaced as an assembly. For electronically actuated fan clutches, the fan clutch will be disconnected from the electrical connector as well, and the connector will be cleaned with electrical parts cleaner before reassembly. Assembly is the reverse order of disassembly, and the repair must be verified by warming the engine and checking the operation of the radiator cooling fan and clutch assembly.

We recommend checking the operation of the coolant temperature sensor prior to replacing the fan clutch assembly. If the engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor is faulty, it may be reading too low or too high, and the fan clutch may be operating properly according the actual temperature of the engine. This check could be done by comparing an infrared reading of the thermostat housing temperature, and comparing that temperature to the engine temperature gauge.