How to Remove Dual Radiator Fans in an Intrepid

Cooling fans often stop working because grime builds up on the blades, making the fan run slower and eventually fail completely. Even though the Dodge Intrepid has two cooling fans -- instead of the one fan most cars have -- the repair is easy to do, and doing it yourself saves you the cost of hiring a mechanic.

Things You'll Need

• Screwdriver
• Drain pan
• Pliers
• Cooling fans
• Torque wrench

Instructions

1. Remove the negative battery cable. Use the screwdriver to loosen the cap that protects the cable. Then remove the cable from the post entirely. Once the cable is removed, make sure that is doesn't touch any metal, so you don't get shocked.

2. Drain the coolant to just below the radiator hose. Remove the radiator cap, put a clean drain pan under the radiator and remove the drain plug. Count to 60, replace the plug and check the level of the fluid. Be sure the coolant level is below the radiator hose, so you can remove the hose without losing any coolant..

3. Unhook the top radiator hose from the radiator. The radiator hose either has a clamp with a screw on it or a clamp that has two metal tabs. If it has the screw, unscrew it and take the hose off the radiator. If is the metal tabs, use pliers and pinch them together to loosen them. Pull the top radiator hose off the radiator and bend it back so it's out of the way. Don't remove it completely.

4. Unplug the power wiring harness for the cooling fans and remove the four bolts on the fan assembly, using a socket wrench. Set the bolts to the side to use for the new fan. Lift the cooling fan assembly out of the engine compartment.

5. Install the new fans. Place the new fans in the engine compartment and thread the bolts in by hand. Set the torque wrench at 50 foot-pounds and tighten the bolts. Then plug the wiring harness back in and secure the clamps.

6. Replace the coolant. If you used a clean drain pan, pour the coolant from the pan back into the radiator. If the drain pan wasn't clean, then fill the radiator with new coolant. Replace the radiator cap.

7. Reattach the negative battery cable and start the car. It's important to let the car run so it warms up. The cooling fans don't kick on until the car starts to get hot, and you need to make sure they work properly before you drive the car.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure the engine is cool before you begin working on the radiator.

References

• "Chrysler LHS, Concorde, 300M, Dodge Intrepid, 1998-2004 Haynes Repair Manual"; Eric Godfrey; 2009
• Aaron Cake: How to Properly Install an Electric Fan