How Do I Remove the Radiator Fan in a '96 Plymouth Neon?

Iskandar Blogger 4:20 PM

The dual radiator fans on your Neon work in tandem to quickly cool the coolant within the radiator. One or both of them may become defective over time from everyday use. Damage to the fans most often happens from a loose wire connection. The fans can also be damaged from debris that builds up on their blades. This can make the small motors on each of the fans overwork because the blades are heavier than normal. Typically, if one of the fans stops working the other one will soon fail as well. Therefore, you should remove and replace both of them at the same time.

Instructions

    1

    Open the driver's door and apply the emergency brake. Pull the hood release lever. Raise and support the Neon's hood.

    2

    Loosen and remove the negative battery cable with a socket wrench. Position the cable completely away from its post and any other metal.

    3

    Raise the front-end of the car with a hydraulic jack. Place a jack stand on each side of the front end behind the front tires, beneath the frame rail. Lower the hydraulic jack until the car rests on the jack stands.

    4

    Slide under the front of the car beneath the radiator. Remove the two bolts on the bottom of the radiator fan assembly with a socket wrench.

    5

    Reach up into the engine compartment and unplug the wiring harness connected to each of the fans. Remove the wiring harnesses from the retaining tabs along both sides of the fan assembly.

    6

    Raise the Neon with the hydraulic jack. Remove the jack stands. Lower the Neon to the ground. Remove the hydraulic jack.

    7

    Remove the four securing bolts along the top of the radiator fan assembly with your socket wrench. Lift the fan assembly vertically out of the engine and set it down on a flat working area.

    8

    Remove the nut holding the fan blades in place on the motor's shaft with your socket wrench. Remove the three bolts at the rear of the fan assembly that hold the motor in place with your socket wrench. Lift the defective fan motor out of the assembly and discard it. Save the fan blades to reinstall on the new motor if they're still in good shape.