Chrysler Repair: Radiator Fan relay Dodge Caravan 1997, dodge grand caravan, dodge caravan

Question
Hi Roland

I have the code P1491 on my Dodge Grand Caravan 1997 Engine 3.3L wich seem to be "Radiator Fan Control Relay Circuit", MY radiator Fan is always on even if the car is really cold.

I looked at the radiator fan relay and i found out it is not the original one and not the same model as the original at all.  There is 2 rows of 2 connectors instead of 4 in a row.  I am planning top replace the relay and i am wondering where can i find the pin out description to be able to plug the original relay the way it is supposed to be.

thx

Answer
Hi Francois,
The Chrysler Corporation issues the recalls and it has a central data  base that is kept via the Vehicle Identification Number (V.I.N.) located on the dash on the driver's side just behind the windshield. You may be able to go to a dealer and have their service/parts department look up your car on the computer to see if it has been identified for recall of the relay and whether it has been recalled and corrected. If it it eligible and not yet corrected they should do it now for free. If you aren't sure that they actually did the verification you can contact the corportation by phone or internet directly and get the official record. So just get you VIN which is also on your car license registration sheet or title and go to the dealer or corporate headquarters.
Roland



Hi Francois,
I don't have a manual that show which pins of the relay receives which wire, but I can tell you the purpose of each colored wire, based upon my copy of the Haynes wiring diagram for the '96-99 vans. There are four wires: gray is from the battery and is hot all the time, so be careful not to ground when you are working with it. It supplies power to the switch in the relay and also to the coil that closes the switch when the other end of the coil is grounded.
Lt green/dark blue is the relay control wire to the coil from the powertrain controller, it should have 12v on it when the engine is cold or the ac is off, and should be grounded when you turn on the ac at any engine temp or when the engine is hot. Dark green is the 12v output from the relay switch to the fan motors. Black is the ground wire.
The relay you buy may come with an internal wiring diagram sheet or the pins may be labeled. If so and it isn't clear which wire goes to which pin write me back and I'll try to help with that. By the way, you might check with the Chrysler corp (or Daimler-Chrysler) web site or call them in Detroit to see if the company might not replace the unit for free because there was a recall on these relays during some years of the late '90's. It may be that the one you have has already been replaced under the recall and then failed again or it may have been replaced by a non-Chrysler shop with an inappropriate relay and the company will do it for you now.
So that is what I can share with you at this point.
Roland