2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser, Cooling Fan Troubleshooting

This lovely vehicle came in with a simple complaint, "My AC doesn't work!". Upon inspection, we determine the cause of this condition is something often overlooked, a cooling fan problem. We tackle this cooling fan using basic electrical troubleshooting methods, and learn a lot about the system while doing it. Some testing techniques I used...
Testing a relay
Testing a DC electric motor
Using scan tool bi-directional controls
Wiring schematic analysis and understanding
I hope you guys enjoy!!!

[@danstephensen9032]

YUP!! MY 2007 PT NEEDS A NEW FAN!! thanks for your accurate diagnosis.

[@tinkerwest]

Before calling it at 19:50, the harness side to the fan itself should be checked first just to confirm connector integrity...nevertheless, a great video and most certainly a thumbs up...

[@MrThedocholiday]

tinkerwest Yes sir... You’re correct about checking the connector integrity... My PT Cruiser’s connector burned up due to corrosion where the harness plugs into the fan & I had to rewire it with individual heavier gauge connectors.

[@nosch43]

absolutely, the connector on my girlfriend's cam shaft position sensor was burnt out on the hot wire.

[@kathylewis7543]

I had the same issue this guy had a low speed out the relay clicked but was bad he replaced the relay and it worked. Thank you for broadcast.

[@frankgonzalez24]

Replacing the rad fan on those PT Cruisers takes about the same time it took to diagnose the problem. It took me about 30 minutes to diagnose and replace the fan. That's a gravy job.

[@zeldarado80]

Very well done! I suspect that I may be having this issue on my 02 PT Cruiser and I feel much better equipped to troubleshoot it now. I really appreciated your fine video.

[@cross2404]

Hey I just watch you do that fan relay on that PT cruiser I really like your video you really went through it thoroughly good job guy

[@meanasscoyote]

Extremely helpful! Thank you! I'm going to check & see if my fan is working on both speeds & relays. I may not be able to do the work myself, but it helps to know more before taking it in for a check & fix. I'm a woman & some mechanics take advantage of that. However, I try to educate myself on cars. I'm one of the smart ones you could say! Lol Anyway, thank you & I subscribed to your channel. 👍🏻😉😀

[@meanasscoyote]

Oh & listen for the clicking noise. My PT Cruiser is a 2002. Thank you! 👍🏻😁

[@pinpointautomotiverepair1592]

Haha thats awesome! I think if you put your mind to it you could do the work if you wanted! Don't feel intimidated until you give it a try!

[@rrmech11]

Where you been buddy. Really miss you videos. You're a great diagnostics tech

[@autorepairbymike1356]

Would it be possible for you to do a small tutorial regarding identifying ground side and power side switched and why it's good to know when troubleshooting?

[@Lesiku]

Question: 2001 pt cruiser, does my radio has a fuse? I watched another video where they showed the location of the 2 fuse boxes (internal and external) but I did not see the word "radio". Which fuse is it? This problem occured, when they changed the radiator. I have alvo noticed, that the "check engine" light is not on anymore... Are these 2 things somehow connected? Did they take a fuse out ???

[@emartinez6584]

great good , I learned a lot , glad i saw this .

[@pinpointautomotiverepair1592]

I'm glad you enjoyed the video!

[@roberturkevich9014]

My experience with two pt cruisers is the fan turning too slow both turned out to be bad fan motors

[@SouthMainAuto]

Great job! Where is your shop located at?

[@pinpointautomotiverepair1592]

Thanks for watching! I'm located in North Carolina, in the small town of Henderson. A good lil' drive from where you are.

[@MuhammadAli-su3oo]

Triangle Diagnostics Thank you so much Joe

[@frugalprepper]

That High Side Pressure must of have been higher than a Banshee!

[@bigdaddyroy5382]

@@pinpointautomotiverepair1592 what would you use to lose a very tight cooling system bleeder valve, so the valve does get stripped or broken from the housing it's screwed into

[@verniscrews5096]

I like your video its help me out with some of my a lot and thanks you..

[@gertis7420]

This a great video. Definitely subscribing.

[@MOREPOWERRACING]

Top top mate thanks fron Brazil

[@n0ukf]

My (2003) fan also isn't working on low with the AC on (I haven't tested high yet but fuses are good). The compressor is cycling after I added a can of refrigerant to get it working. At first it sounds ok but after a little bit it sounds like it's trying to stall the engine when it cycles on (even smoked the new belt a little).

[@vicvilla5301]

How to know if the high speed of the fan works correctly?

[@frugalprepper]

Mine is turning but very slow. I am seeing the pressure climb, it buries the High side gauge. I can reach down and stop the with my index finger very easily. The high speed works fine if I turn AC off ad let it sit till it kick in. I think I've got a bad fan. I am going to try to load the low speed circuit ad make sure it can carry a load.

[@kyhomegarage3430]

Good channel. Like your work. Keep up. Cheers

[@thejunkcarlady]

Would you offer electrical diag training /mentor at your location? Couple days or so? I'm interested if so.

[@erics9213]

I like this video because its akin to my issue w/a 2003 PT GT Turbo, no A/C & no fan. My documentation says that the fan speed is pulse width modulated controlled. So, there are no fan relays in the relay box for the turbo. The fan and compressor are new. Replaced the compressor clutch relay and now there is a/c, but no radiator fan. I only began to diagnose by verifying 12v at one of the fan connectors. Would appreciate any suggestions on diagnosing.

[@dicoreijneveld5513]

Awesome video, I got the same problem here back in Holland. And guess what, when I hit the radiator for a sec. the fan starts working on low speed again. That makes me thing... Can I connect the high and low speed wire from fan, so it always runs on high speed? I mean, high speed is working!

[@haywardsautomotive6156]

Nice diagnosis and keep the videos coming.

[@valrath84]

So i know this is a old video but my 2005 pt cruiser is having issues like this but basically if i have both high speed and low speed relays in the fan wont spin but if i remove ether one it works fine.I replaced the fan 4 months ago and the power connectors too.I dont know what to even do to try next if you do happen to read this id love some ideas

[@dezblyan5125]

Good stuff keep em coming

[@sfcd4757]

does this system have a pressure relief on the condenser with that hiss? my problem is a real loud quick hiss...i always thought too much pressure built up but couldnt figure it out. i suspect the fan

[@mikewarren4897]

Fantastic video

[@juergenscholl2843]

Good work, interesting channel.

[@pinpointautomotiverepair1592]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@willpugh9723]

Great job these videos are super helpful. .I have a 03pt loser turbo over engineered even for Chrysler. Currently the vehicle gives an intermittent dtc p0480. That scan tool you use is pretty cool devise. Can you share tool info ? I'm interested...

[@drewsquickfix]

Wow thank you so much I was looking for the other realy locations. I thought it was only the 2 attached to the fan itself. Pt cruisers have horrible cooling fan systems

[@coreyschoon2376]

The fan is pulse width modulated by the pcm

[@barney1347]

Great video thanks for the info

[@thejunkcarlady]

I have no ground on the pin from the pcm. So my relay isn't energizing. Is there anything Thai would keep the pcm from sending that ground signal to the relay? Like pressure switch or something?

[@pinpointautomotiverepair1592]

Well it certainly depends. Is the AC compressor clutch engaged when the engine computer is not turning the relay on? Have you checked for the PCM to supply a ground directly at the engine computer? Do you have the ability to perform scan tool functional tests or read any data pids related to fan commanded status?

[@WallaceRoseVincent]

Damn, you're good!

[@patriciaannstewart7464]

Fan is running slow and some time I have to help turn the fan to get it running when hot

[@pokemonsong8400]

Hi great video. Ive changes just about everything u can think of to the fans radiator thermostat and the relay.(low). When i did change the low relay the fans turned on right away and worked for about a day then stopped .idk from here u have any thing that might cause it?

[@artgallery743]

What is the name/model of the diagnostic tool that you used here?

[@wonderwond]

maybe you can help figure out my problem,, I replaced cooling fan, even swapped out fan relays, the car gets so hot you cant touch anything under the hood, the heater when turned on is so dang hot you cant touch the vents. yet after a while driving the car just quits and wont restart till after the battery is disconnected and the PCM. and its cooled down.. yet the temperature gauge says its ok.. I read the temp getting as high as around 213 degrees ... does that sound normal ?

[@pinpointautomotiverepair1592]

213 degrees sounds completely normal to me. I think the issue you are experiencing probably isn't overheating, but more likely a component that is failing when hot. I would check for fault codes and see if there is anything in memory.

[@shelby50411]

With no low speed fan does that cause engine to overheat or would high speed kick in?....with ac off.

[@pinpointautomotiverepair1592]

der ddd, generally speaking the high speed fans should turn on at a certain temperature threshold to prevent engine overheating, or during ac operation.

[@pptest1423]

Great video, I do have this fan problem on a 2003 PT Cruiser. I have a working fan from a 2002 model. Would that be worth considering as a replacement ? Thanks !

[@frugalprepper]

Yes they are the same fan for all years. At some point they stopped mountign the relays on the fan an they were controlled from the TPIM. So you may have to drill holes of yours has relay on fan to mount them.

[@davidthehillbilly7995]

That may be a 1 year only deal. I own an early production 2002 and the relays are not mounted on the fan....

[@armandonika]

Nice diag!

[@MichaelBrown-um8qc]

🥂👍👍Thank You 🥂👀

[@bengkelembongan]

Apa itu rellay fan radiator running

[@NewLevelAuto]

👀

[@sameerabdo3023]

اكون شاكرا لك أن ارسلت هذا المخطط باللغه العربيه.. تحياتي لكم وتقديري انا عندي سياره بتي كروز ٢٠٠٨

[@Eeropolvasti]

Thanks, I already liked you..., and subscribed you =), now, tell me this" 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser, 2.4, cooling fans don't work, and ALSO, battery goes dead??? Haven't seen car yet, old lady, husband just died =(, went to get some tools from her, she said, cooling fans don't work, they changed cooling fans??? 3 times???, crazy, I think, there is cooling fan relay problem now??? What makes battery go dead?? Haven't seen/ worked on car yet?? Thanks , youtheman =)

[@SolRC]

snap on needs to make an app, and tools that wireless communicate with each other, the snap on "tablet" is so bs

[@tgoodm1]

👌👌👌

[@karlhildon8477]

Omg you talk a lot and do a lot of work to accomplish very little. Just disconnect the fan wiring harness and connect a jumper to ground. Now connect a second jumper to one side. Fan on? Works. Now jumper other side. Fan on? No? Then it doesn’t work. Common problem on PT Cruisers. Low speed fan fails. Replace fan. OR. Short the yellow to green and run the high winding all the time.

[@seanlucas122]

2004 pt cruiser no fan when ac switch on and no compressor engage, if i jump any of the 3 relays everything works independently low high and ac clutch ...i tried jumping the low pressure switch and it will not engage the ac clutch...the only way i can get high speed fan function is if i jump low and high speed fan relay at the same time....together the fan speed increases twice as fast....

[@JoanneWinfield]

My 2008 PT Cruiser is the biggest money pit .They told me the engine cooling fan turns off when the AC is on. It had about 75,000 miles and ice cold AC. I have had to repair and replace the AC 3 times and now it is hot again and I still owe $2700 for a loan I took out and didn’t mention the cooling fan. I paid $50 for an inspection. They said it is the cooling fan. I went through all my records and a couple of inspections mentioned the cooling fan and I didn’t use them and other inspections didn’t mention it,

[@lane1962]

Great diagnosis technique. You will probably find on modern cooling fan motors it will not have a resistor in the slow speed part to reduce voltage, but it will have a third brush in the motor closer to the power supply on the commutator. because this is closer there is less resistance so the current is higher giving it more speed. You will find the low-speed brush will be more or less opposite to the power supply brush so it is further away. It's a little like how a wiper motor gets it's fast speed principle, keep the videos coming they are very interesting and enjoyable, Paul from the UK.

[@hackfreehvac]

That diagram showing the cooling fan OFF under those situations is just the logic table used by the engine computer. I saw similar settings in the Ford EEC when I was tuning my Mustang. There are certain conditions (such as A/C on or going over so many MPH) that will lock out the low speed fan. The engineers just figure the fan should always be on high when the A/C is on. And if you are over 44MPH they also assume the fan should just be on high if on at all. If moving under 44 MPH and the A/C is off, then the fans cycle on temperature as shown. I guess the low fan is just pointless under those conditions so that table is just there so you won't expect it to switch on the low speed if you are moving over 44 MPH or have the A/C on.

[@thomasgarcia4746]

Isn't the fan supposed to work during winter also, or summer time when the AC is on.

[@FvsAandKo]

Same problem. First of all, I asked Google, and changed the brushes in the fan motor. Didn't do anything else and everything worked.

[@BIGEUSMC]

Great video, thanks for being such a good explainer. I was a diesel and gas mechanic in the Marines and a couple jobs after but that was 35 years ago and this POS PT cruiser is so confined I can’t see anything. All the test you ran I’ve had experience doing one quick question is if I hook a 12 v lead to the supply side of the fan connection like you said there should be a resister in the fan motor itself for the low speed. I’m pretty sure the fan is bad. I replaced the low side relay with a new one and switched the high speed one width the horn relay. They are the same part number and the horn worked with both anyway thanks again I will be subscribing.

[@destructimus]

Fantastic diagnosis. Even though you used tools i wouldnt have at home, it was descriptive enough (based on what i already knew aboit testing) that i could still diagnose the problem. Myself, I initially jumped the fan to a 12 volt power source after checking the fuse. High speed turned on, low speed didn't. So i have to conclude it has a bad low speed assembly. Thank you!

[@knightwizaed6921]

Thank you that was fun gonna test mine... Did I say thank you again for helping me so much yeah it was a ground squirrels that got in there and chew the wires on the low speed fan. Thank you again this is why I always turn to KZbin for answers.

[@cawag98]

Thanks. For us owners, a shortcut is to go right to the fan connector and see if we’re getting 12v on the low speed wire. If not, we look to the relays etc, if yes, we whack the fan and or replace it.

[@KelikakuCoutin]

Subscribed. I've got some kind of issue with my PT Cruiser cooling system. One of the videos showed that the ground for the high speed circuit and low speed circuit are integrated and the mechanic wired in a separate ground wire for the high speed. Free Tibet. Free Hong Kong. Recognize Taiwan. Thanks for the content. Keep up the good work. בס'ד

[@MOREPOWERRACING]

Thanks mate fron Brazil i have pt 2010 this problem

[@edwardwesthusing3119]

I have a 2002 PT Cruiser 2.4.. overheating issues replaced thermostat.. radiator fan not coming on.. so far my simple fix.. is removed the horn relay and the radiator fan relay and just switch them around.. so far gauges are nominal after 30 minutes.

[@billb.4901]

What about an 05 pt Crusier that has cooling fans work in winter but not in the heat of summer. I was thinking that my fan didn’t work at all, but then I went out to warm up my car the other day before starting to work because it was 20 degrees F and I heard this loud noise and it was my fan running. Back in the summer I used a scan tool to test and the fan would not operate, but today, in the dead of winter at 20 degrees, when I command the low and high speed fan on--it works.

[@episode6309]

Hey Man this was a great ass video! I love the start to finish, diagram and commentary it was perfect!

[@doorgunnerone]

My condenser fan does not stop running even with the power turned off, therefore draining the battery. Got any ideas?

[@ashamedv]

We changed the radiator fan and relates and still doesn’t turn on what do we do

[@klsrecords]

I have a 2005, AC does not blow cool.... I hear a rattling noise when I turn AC fans on now. I am not sure if it is a compressor or the fan... Should that fan be on when I start the car and turn ac on? Thank you for any advice. Trying to sell the car and really do not want to replace compressor

[@DrewsLair]

you have gained another subscriber. found you via pine hollow diagnostics and south main auto repair you were in my suggested. Ironically i was watching Ivans video about the reduced power in a Chevy due to an issue in my friends video and since then I've been hooked on these vids lol

[@roadkillsf.f.cgarage386]

I'm only getting power to the yellow high side on my fan, tested the fan and it works on both green and yellow if I put power to is however at the relay I'm only getting power to the yellow wire???????????

[@TheSchmedley]

Outstanding video!!!!

[@markferraro5250]

great video thanks

[@msa_0619]

Hello There: Yes I would like to know if you can HELP!!! me out on my 2007 PT Cruiser1 I have replace the fucking thermostat 3 time & 2 thermostat sensor I put in a new fan blower but the fucking PT Cruiser still overheat. So I hope you HELP tell what do I need to get the fucking PT Cruiser back running again ok

[@giantessmaria]

Thanks man, wonderfully comprehensive video with great camera work! my problem is my car is overheating. i have the same car(2002 pt cruiser) and i have already eliminated the obvious things like thermostat, coolant leak,,, i noticed my fans do not come on when car gets up close to the red zone. so i figured i'd turn on the AC to see if it comes on. NOTHING! my question is; IS the cooling fan supposed to come on when the ac is turned on. and i'm referring to the car sitting and idling, not out on the road...any replies would be appreciated...thanks again!

[@brentmakey9376]

I'm having an issue with my 95 Chrysler concorde 3.5L. My fan doesn't turn on at all. I've removed it and tested it separately and both work. I've changed both relays and and fuses look good. I've changed the thermostat. And have power going to my temp sensor. I've got no clue what else could be wrong!!!! My vehicle is overheating but no light is coming on. No power to the terminal for the fan assembly if I have a.c. on high or if vehicle is heated.

[@shelby50411]

hi can you or someone else please confirm something for me.....its very important in my troubleshooting and will help me out in a ptcruiser 2001 version or equal if you remove the low speed fan relay your check engine light should come on and the high speed fan should immediately turn on. is this correct? also...\today i did a quick relay removal test !. removed LS fan relay and check engine light came on and i got code p1490 2. removed HS fan relay and check engine light did not come on and no code 3 removed both HS and LS relays and check engine light came on and got one code p1490 does this test mean anything at all?

[@timowallin8020]

What the... Not allways on or Perssure controlled fan, but temp. controlled? No wonder it give up some of the magic gas or are you looking cooling fan "operation" and not A/C fan operation(there are difference even when they are same fan). Or are there secend, problem inside? ...Why didn't pressure sensors cut off A/C compressor?

[@josephbenge1992]

Just subscribed, great informative video. I have a 2003 pt cruiser with low fan not working. Ac is blowing hot and compressor not working either. Not sure which one to tackle first. I'm guessing the fan, since its suppose to be on anytime Ac is turned on.

[@rpdee7344]

Feb 19, 2020 Just had this repair done on my PT 2002 the low speed fan had died so had to replace the whole fan. Your video was good explaining how to trouble shoot the problem and understanding what needed fixing.

[@shelby50411]

hi...i believe your radiator fan chart is incorrect...the one you showed is for 1.6L engine....not for 2.4L engine can someone verify when low and high speeds work on 2001 pt cruiser with 2.5L engine?

[@shrekbbb]

Hi just watch your video, very interesting, I have this problem as well,but my fan turns on and off at times and kind of figured that the fan connection May be the problem. I was wondering maybe to run the fan wire directly into the fuse box so it will turn on and off as soon as the ignition is in on or off position. But don't know how to wire it .can you please help me in a more detail procedure to do this.thanks.

[@shelby50411]

Thank you....thats what i thought....everyone is telling my that since i dont have low speed working on the fan that the entire fan cooling sydtem is null and void and i disagree...high speed should function at .219f.....where did u get the operational chart and why is it wrong on the ac on specs?

[@dennishnks]

I just put a new fan in mine a year ago and all I can hear is my low fan come on once and that's it do you think the relay could be bad. It a 2005 PT Cruiser 2.4 non turbo. The high speed works good but I let it idle and the low speed only came on once and by the way you are damn good.

[@carlovincetti4538]

You start showing guys how to start a bad cooling fan's some might think it is a fix if the fan starts to work normal, giving us another shitty mechanic, trying to make a buck off the ignorant public. I'm so kidding thanks, man.

[@twiztid6977420]

Mine is doing the exact same thing except it has a whole new ac kit in it and the fan works on both speeds? The high speed is definitely a noticeable difference in velocity but do you think it could still not be enough? I'm on my third compressor from this issue.

[@edwardwright7295]

My radio and my dome light won't work for my PT Curiser 2.4L....Anybody know why I checked my fuses and the bulb is not blown in the dome light

[@searcy95]

2010 pt cruiser ac fan will not shut off. I've replaced both fan relays. Only way to get fan to shut down ac fan is to remove relay or disconnect battery . Got a take on this issue ?

[@MrThedocholiday]

Fantastic job brother. I’m having the same problem. I’ll try letting you know how my repairs work out. Thanks for the help.

[@shelby50411]

hi can anyone confirm 2001 pt cruiser 2.4 l non turbo what temp high speed fan is suppose to come on.(ac off) ..the chart i am seeing says 103c or 219f but not sure that is correct

[@rustytapwater4848]

Dollars to donuts, if you took that car out on the road, got it moving, the AC would be working fine. Once the high speed motor engages, the AC comes back too.

[@nef003]

This is exactly what mine is doing. Replacing the fan as soon as possible.

[@mikem1014]

before you bang on it you said fan was confirmed bad... sorry but the way you tested there could have still been bad connection in the connector you were testing harness side ....

[@MickeyMishra]

the low speed fan in the PT Cruisers is notorious for going out and honestly it takes out part of the electronic control mechanism as well and it absolutely should make you wonder about why on Earth they made something so smart but so stupid at the same time .

[@alltheboost5363]

The only other thing you didn't bring up at the end of the video is that there has to be some sort of resistor inside the fan for the low side the test light was fairly bright that also confirmed what you saw on the diagram

[@shelby50411]

hi triangle is there a phone i can contact you....have a unique ptcruiser issue.. pulling my hair out trying to troubleshoot radiator fan

[@omelmendoza8114]

Muchas gracias por el tutorial le di unos golpes al motor del ventilador y empeso a trabajar gracias asi arregle mi pt cruiser👍🏻🤝🏻

[@josephbailey3328]

Helpful. Question though. Have you ever had radiator fan kick on after pulling the low speed relay?

[@juliansdiamonds]

VERY FINE TROUBLE SHOOTING !!! THANK YOU !!!

[@1hornEperv]

Really good job,. Your the first video that I've watched all the way through for a long time. Your don't go on about nonessential stuff. I appreciate that. Thanks Triangle Diagnostics

[@icealexsanzage]

Great work man thank you you help me a lot🥰🥰😇God bless you