The fan can be fixed or replaced in a 2001 Chevrolet Malibu after working through a number of troubleshooting steps. These steps will diagnose if the fan motor has failed or if a coolant system component controlling the fan is the culprit. The main components controlling the fan are the fan motor, the cooling fan fuse and relay and the engine coolant temperature sensor. Because the fan motor parts cannot be purchased or serviced individually, the fan motor must be replaced as an entire unit.
Unplug the electrical connection at the fan motor. Connect the positive battery terminal directly to the fan motor with a fused jumper wire. If the fan turns on, continue to the next step. If the fan does not come on, replace the fan.
Remove the fuse box cover from the fuse box inside the engine compartment. On the bottom of the lid, a decal will show the locations of the cooling fan fuse and relay. Remove the relay and temporarily replace it with a similar relay from another location. If the fan does not turn on with the vehicle at normal operating temperature, replace the fan. If the fan turns on, place the temporary relay back in the original location and insert a new relay into the cooling fan relay location. Repeat the same process, replacing the fuse with a similar fuse from another location. If the fan does not turn on with the vehicle reaching normal operating temperature while running, replace the fan, using the directions in Step 2. If the fan turns on, place the temporary fuse back in the original location and insert a new fuse into the cooling fan relay location.
Inspect the coolant temperature sensor. On four-cylinder models, the sensor is located at the base of the cylinder head. On V6 models, the sensor is located on the driver's side of the engine block, near the large radiator hose. Detach the electrical connector to the sensor. Test the end of the connector with a voltage meter to verify that voltage is traveling to the sensor. If voltage is not present, inspect the wiring running to the sensor and replace any damaged sections. If voltage is present, replace the fan motor.
Unplug the electrical connector from the fan motor.
Unscrew the four bolts holding the fan and fan motor to the fan shroud with a socket wrench. Pull the fan and fan motor up from the fan shroud and out of the engine compartment.
Remove the three screws that attach the fan motor to the fan with a flat head screwdriver.
Place the replacement fan motor against the fan and install the three screws with the flat head screwdriver.
Guide the fan into the engine compartment and lower it next to the fan shroud. Install the mounting bolts to attach the fan and fan motor to the fan shroud with the socket wrench.
Plug the electrical connection into the fan motor.
