2.5L MODELS
Remove vent plug from top of thermostat housing. Fill cooling system and allow air to bleed from cooling system. Install vent plug once coolant reaches thermostat housing level. Tighten vent plug to 15 ft. lbs. (20 N.m).
3.3L MODELS
- Remove engine temperature sending unit. Engine temperature sending unit is located in front of cylinder head, near thermostat housing, just below spark plug wire holder.
- Fill cooling system until coolant reaches engine temperature sending unit. Install engine temperature sending unit, and tighten to 60 INCH lbs. (7 N.m). Finish filling cooling system.
CARAVAN, DAKOTA (2.5L), TOWN & COUNTRY & VOYAGER
Electric cooling fan should not operate during engine cranking. Fan should operate whenever A/C compressor clutch is engaged. If vehicle is not equipped with A/C or A/C is off, fan should turn on or off as coolant temperature sensor senses the following changes in coolant temperatures. See COOLING FAN OPERATING TEMPERATURES table.
| Vehicle Speed | Coolant Temp. °F (°C) | Cooling Fan Status |
|---|---|---|
| 40 MPH Or More | 230 (110) Or More | Turns On |
| 40 MPH Or More | 220 (104) Or Less | Shuts Off |
| 40 MPH Or Less | 210 (99) Or More | Turns On |
| 40 MPH Or Less | 200 (93) | Shuts Off |
COOLING FAN OPERATING TEMPERATURES
Coolant temperature sensor sends a signal to the Single-Board Engine Controller (SBEC), which controls cooling fan operation through a radiator fan relay.
On Caravan, Town & Country and Voyager, fan will operate to prevent steaming water vapor from outside of radiator. Fan will operate for 3 minutes when vehicle is stopped with engine idling, coolant temperature is 100-195°F (38-97°C), and ambient temperature is less than 60°F (16°C).
ELECTRIC FAN MOTOR
To check electric fan motor, disconnect fan motor electrical connector. Ensure correct polarity, and connect a 12-volt battery source and ground to fan motor electrical connector. (Scheme 1)and (Scheme 2). Replace fan motor if it fails to operate.
Note. If fan motor is noticeably overheated, it indicates system voltage may be excessive. Check charging system.
Scheme 1
Scheme 2
Note. Check electric fan motor operation before checking fan relay and SBEC.
Scheme 3
Scheme 4
Scheme 5
- With ignition on, check for voltage at Gray wire of radiator fan relay. Radiator fan relay is located in power distribution center (Dakota 2.5L), or in front of left strut tower (all other models). (Scheme 3)and (Scheme 4).
- If battery voltage exists at Gray wire, proceed to step 3). If battery voltage does not exist, check for open or short circuit in Gray wire.
- Install jumper wire between Gray and Light Green wires on radiator fan relay. If fan operates, proceed to step 4). If fan fails to operate, check for open or short circuit in Light Green wire between radiator fan relay and fan motor connector.
- If fan operates, warm engine to normal operating temperature. Check for loose connections at fan motor and radiator fan relay. If all connections are okay, fault codes must be checked.
- Fault codes can be checked by using diagnostic connector. See SELF-DIAGNOSTICS article in ENGINE PERFORMANCE for complete instructions on connecting diagnostic tester and checking fault codes.
- If fault code indicates 88-12-35-55 (RADIATOR FAN RELAY), turn ignition on and check for battery voltage at Dark Blue wire of radiator fan relay. If battery voltage exists, proceed to step 7). If voltage is 0-1 volt, proceed to step 9).
- With ignition off, disconnect 60-pin connector from SBEC. The SBEC is located on right wheelwell of engine compartment (Dakota 2.5L), or left front corner of engine compartment (all other models).
- Turn ignition on. Check for battery voltage at cavity No. 31 (Dark Blue/Pink) wire of connector. (Scheme 5) If battery voltage exists and female terminal is not damaged, replace SBEC. If no voltage exists, repair open or short in Dark Blue/Pink wire from radiator fan relay to SBEC.
- With ignition off, disconnect 60-pin connector from SBEC. Turn ignition on. Check for battery voltage at Dark Blue wire of radiator fan relay. If battery voltage exists, replace SBEC. If voltage is 0-1 volt, proceed to step 10).
- With ignition on, test for battery voltage at Dark Blue/Pink wire at radiator fan relay. If battery voltage exists, replace radiator fan relay. If no voltage exists, repair open or short circuit in Dark Blue/Pink wire between radiator fan relay and SBEC. Turn ignition off, reconnect 60-pin connector to SBEC and test system.
Cooling Fan Wiring Diagram (Caravan/Town & Country/Voyager). Scheme 6
Cooling Fan Wiring Diagram (Dakota 2.5L). Scheme 7
See also:
• COOLING FAN OPERATING TEMPERATURES