The ONLY reason any radiator makes steam is if coolant is escaping. This can be due to a leak, or due to excessive temperature creating higher than normal system pressure and exiting from the cap for safety pressure release.
The temp gauge is a generally OK way to check temperature, but its not intended to be perfect. Its merely a ballpark notification for the driver to be alerted to emergency temperature issues, but it can be wrong. The best way to test it is to use an infrared temperature gun (available at most electronics stores or online) and manually test the temperature at the thermostat housing (The engine end of the upper radiator hose). It should be around 195-210 degrees. If it is over 220 degrees, the engine is likely running too warm and if the fan isnt ON, then you have a fan control or fan motor issue.
Turning on AC (if the system is working properly) should engage the fan, but that is just a test of the ability to activate it. If the AC system is not working properly, then this test cannot be used and should not be depended on.
The computer normally looks at calculated engine temp and when it hits preset temperature (usually somewhere between 210 and 235 degrees on most cars) the computer turns on the fan, and when the temp falls to a preset value (usually 195-210 most cars) the computer turns the fan back off till temp rises again.
This test is easiest done with a scanner that shows calculated engine temp, compared to the IR temp you test, and then the computer command compared to the voltage signal at the fan motor. If the computer is telling the fan to turn on, at the proper temp, and the fan isnt turning on, then you know its the power to the fan or the fan itself. If the command never happens, then it may be a temperature sensor problem or a computer control issue.
The fans do not come on at all in very cold weather, unless the engine is running for a very long time and the car is not moving down the road. The steam is snow that has melted on the hot radiator. There is nothing wrong with your car.
SOURCE: cooling fan relay placement 05 pacifica
IF YOU OPEN THE HOOD ON THE RIGHT SIDE THERE IS A SQUAR BOX THAT SITS RIGHT NEXT TO THE BATTERY OPEN THAT BOX AND LOOK UNDER THE PART YOU OPEN AND IT HAS A DIAGRAM AND THE NUMBER WHERE IT GOES
SOURCE: radiator fan relay,2001 chrysler town country
the relay is located in the power distribution box under the hood the relay will be a square black or gray cube just pull out and make sure you rerplace it with the same type relay. refer to your owners manual for any questions regarding the fuses and relays
SOURCE: Both radiator cooling fans won't turn on vehicle overheats
The fans come on only when hot or the AC is on. There are many fuses that have to be good for it to work. The fan relay should have 2 pins hot with the key on, The other 2 should be ground. with the key off one should be hot and the other can then be ground the other pins that are ground one of them is the fan. the other becomes ground when the computer turns the fans on. If you don't have a pin thats hot at the relay all the time then theres a blown fuse or even the power wire from the battery at the battery
SOURCE: My 2000 lincoln ls cooling fan will not turn on.
Radiator cooling fan is not electric, it is driven by a silly hydraulic pump which is located low on the passenger side of the engine above the alternator. All 2000-2002 LS's have this system. Most likely either the motor or pump has failed.
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SOURCE: 2004 Chrysler Pacifica Blower won't work
Usally when a blower motor resistor goes bad the fan still runs on high. The resistor lowers the voltage going to the fan to make it run slower. The high setting usually goes straight thru. Resistors are usually easy to get to, under good on the firewall or under dash passenger side. Cost about $24 at parts store. Replace with new if that doesn't work return it.
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