This tutorial will help you test the radiator fan motor on the 1997, 1998, 1999 3.8L V6 Ford Mustang.
Testing the radiator fan motor involves two basic tests. One is an amperage draw test and the other is a bench test.
Both tests are explained in a step-by-step way so that you can find out if the radiator fan motor is bad or not.
Contents of this tutorial at a glance:
You can find this tutorial in Spanish here: Cómo Probar El Ventilador Del Radiador (1997-1999 3.8L Ford Mustang) (at: autotecnico-online.com).
TEST 1: Testing The Amperage Draw Of The Radiator Fan Motor
Over time, the radiator fan motor's bearings wear out and cause the fan motor's shaft to encounter an excessive amount of friction as it turns.
The end result of this is that the fan motor needs more current to overcome this friction.
This excessive current draw will eventually blow the radiator fan motor's fuse or burn out the radiator fan motor relay (which is inside the Constant Control Relay Module -CCRM).
The best way to find out if your Ford Mustang's radiator fan motor is consuming too much current (and thus defective) is to do an amperage draw test.
This test simply involves measuring the resistance of the fan motor and then using Ohm's Law to determine its amperage draw (Ohms Law: Amps=Volts ÷ Ohms).
NOTE: On the 1997 3.8L Ford Mustang, the amperage draw can not be over 60 Amps. On the 1998 and 1999 3.8L Ford Mustang, the amperage draw can not be over 30 Amps.
Let's get started:
- 1
Disconnect the radiator fan motor from its electrical connector.
- 2
Place your multimeter in Ohms mode.
- 3
Measure the resistance of the radiator fan motor across pins 1 and 3 with your multimeter (see photo above).
- 4
Divide your resistance value by 12.5. The result of this calculation is the amount of amperage the fan motor is using.
To be a little more specific: Let's say that the resistance reading was 0.4 Ohms. This is what the math would look like: 12.5 ÷ 0.4 = 31.25 and this would translate to 31.25 Amps. - 5
Amperage Draw Specification:
1997 3.8L Ford Mustang: No greater than 60 Amps.
1998-1999 3.8L Ford Mustang: No greater than 30 Amps.
Let's take a look at your test results:
CASE 1: The amperage draw of the radiator fan motor is within normal parameters. This the correct and expected test result.
The next step is to manually apply battery power and Ground, from your Ford Mustang's battery, to the fan motor itself. For this test go to: TEST 2: Applying Power And Ground To The Radiator Fan Motor.
CASE 2: The amperage draw is higher than specified for your 1997 or 1998-1999 Ford Mustang. This test result tells you that your Ford Mustang's radiator fan motor is defective and needs to be replaced.
TEST 2: Applying Power And Ground To The Radiator Fan Motor
In this test section, we're now gonna' apply battery power and Ground to the radiator fan motor on your 3.8L V6 Ford Mustang.
In case you're wondering, you don't have to remove the radiator fan motor to test it, since you'll have plenty of access to it once you remove the plastic engine coolant reservoir from its place.
You'll need to use some jumper wires to apply battery power and battery Ground to the fan motor.
These are the test steps:
- 1
Disconnect the radiator fan motor from its electrical connector.
The connector has 2 wires. The red (RED) wire supplies power and the black (BLK) wire supplies Ground. - 2
Apply battery power to the radiator fan motor terminal identified with the number 1 in the illustration above.
You'll be applying power to the male spade terminal (of the radiator fan motor itself) that connects to the RED wire of the electrical connector. - 3
Apply chassis Ground to the radiator fan motor terminal identified with the number 3 in the illustration above.
You'll be applying Ground to the male spade terminal (of the radiator fan motor itself) that connects to the BLK wire of the electrical connector. - 4
The radiator fan motor should run.
Let's take a look at your test results:
CASE 1: The radiator fan motor ran. This is the correct test result. You can conclude that your Ford Mustang's blower motor is not defective.
CASE 2: The radiator fan motor DID NOT run. This test result tells you that the radiator fan motor is defective and needs to be replaced.
Where To Buy The Radiator Fan Motor
The radiator fan motor on the 1997-1999 Ford Mustang isn't an expensive part. The following links will help you comparison shop and save a few bucks:
NOTE: Not sure if the radiator fan motor assembly fits your particular Ford Mustang? Don't worry, once you get to the site they'll ask you for the particulars of your Mustang. If it doesn't fit, they'll find you the right one.