Greetings All, I have a '97 3.2 TL with 150,000 miles, running smooth and have had it for 3 years (55,000 miles) Recently I've noticed that when I turn on the A/C the fan does not come on, if I hit a pot hole or a raise in the road the fan will kick on and run fine until I turn the car off, obviously it's a loose connection somewhere but I have no idea where to start looking, under the hood or behind the dash? So for now I'm looking for the first available pot hole to get the fan working, any help or insight would be much appreciated. Thanks!

 

The fan brushes (carbon rotating contacts) are worn too short. When brushes are short, the springs that push the brushes against the armature exert too little force for a good electrical contact and motor will not start. A bump provides just enough force to cause the short brushes to contact and motor starts. Lower dynamic resistance allows fan to continue to run,...until it stops. Then it will fail to restart.

Only solution is a new fan motor. See my post "2.5TL Radiator Fan Replacement" under Problems and Fixes for a description of motor replacement. Your's should be similar. I don't know if the Siemans 3901 fan motor will substitute for your fan motor. Fan motors are different on the driver's side (condensor fan) and pax side (radiator fan). I replaced the radiator fan, which is a longer body fan motor.

good luck

 

I have the exact same problem. Just started last week.

 

Texas, I think cgross meant the heater blower motor. I know that the heater blower motor is not an unusual problem with our cars. Replacing it is a b*tch.
CGross, the next time it quits - try hitting the white panel under the dash (on the passenger side) with the palm of your hand. I had the same problem and a few good thumps on the panel would start the blower. Another suggestion - when the blower starts - run it at least at the 2-bar speed if not higher.

 

You may be right, but there's been no response so we may never know. In either case the cause is the same, worn brushes. However, the blower motor is much more difficult to access as you pointed out.

regards

 

Thanks guys for your reply's and info. It seems to be working ok now, more trouble on rainy days. Will try the hitting the white panel trick. Thanks again!!