Chrysler Repair: 1998 dodge neon cooling fan relay, dielectric grease, dodge neon

Question
Hi,

I was just wondering where the cooling fan relay would be located for a 1998 dodge neon.  I have looked all over for it, including the power distribution box by the battery, and have also researched it, however i can only find it for 97's and earlier.

Thanks for the help!

Answer
It's supposed to be located on the left front inner frame behind the radiator.  It's not going to be a relay like what's in the fuse/relay box.  This one should have 4 wires, I think, going to a flat box.  The original relay had a white label and a new one should have a blue one.  It's got a silver plate on the back side that mounts directly to the frame using only two screws.

You should put some dielectric grease on the back side between the relay and the frame when reinstalling.  Some inside the connector (some) will help prevent moisture from getting in to the connector.

There's been alot of discussion over the years about why these relays fail.  They're the same ones as on the NS (96-00) minivans and they fail alot too.  

Rumor 1.  Relay positioning allows water in to the connector or the relay causing shorts.

Rumor 2. Dielectric grease transfers heat to the frame, heat being the cause of the failure in the first place.

Rumor 3.  It's just a piece of junk

Rumor 4.  A relay is simply a switch.  The fan is the end load device.  The heavier the load the greater the chances of a switch failing after time.  Correction replace relay, check amperage draw on fan, replace accordingly.

I tend to beleive a little of all.  I check for moisture and reposition relay (drill new mounting holes) accordingly, always put dielectric grease on the backing and... replace the relays often.  Cooling fans go out all the time on Chrysler products regardless of the state of the relay.  But if you replace a failing fan chances are the fuses, wiring, and relays will last longer then waiting for a complete failure to replace the fan.
Doug