Radiator fan motor

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micah
Newbie
Posts: 1
Joined: Sun Mar 10, 2013 12:51 am
My tercel:: 1986, Tercel 4wd Wagon

Radiator fan motor

Post by micah »

Hello all,
I am new to the forum and I have an 86 Tercel 4wd Auto trans. 1.5l 3a motor that I've had for a few months. It seems the cooling fan motor has died. It was going constantly and making a pretty loud bearing type noise but has since stopped working all together. I figured I would just replace it since I found one at the local auto parts store for $57 but soon found out that it was the wrong one. Looks like I need the $170 version! Anybody know which one is the right one? Seems like there are a couple of different options. Also any suggestions on a supplier? I tried the search but did not find much on this subject.
Thanks,
Micah
xirdneh
Highest Ranking Member
Posts: 2124
Joined: Thu Aug 04, 2005 11:38 am
My tercel:: 87 tercel 4x4 wagon w/reringed engine, 83 tercel 4x4 wagon w/salvaged engine and 4.1 Diff's
Location: seabeck, washington, USA

Re: Radiator fan motor

Post by xirdneh »

the fan motor is not supposed to run continuosly
the light colored electrical plug on the starboard side and bottom (engine side) of radiator will cause the fan to run continuosly if it is unplugged (ignition on)
i would look for a used replacement fan at a wrecking yard
Love those Tercell 4x4 wagons but they sure suffer from road noise.
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Petros
Highest Ranking Member
Posts: 11941
Joined: Sun Jan 28, 2007 6:31 pm
My tercel:: '84 Tercel4wd w/extensive mods
Location: Arlington WA USA

Re: Radiator fan motor

Post by Petros »

welcome to the list!

Yes, most likely either it was unplugged from the radiator sensor or the sensor is bad. The fans are pretty reliable so a used one from a wrecking yard is a good bet. They were the same in the 2wd hatch back and sedan version of this car from '83 to 86, so you have a lot of cars to look for. Rockauto.com has the fan motors for only about $26, I could not find the sensor for it, but those are available new as well.

They also sell generic fan assemblies that you can mount behind the grill, but I would find a replacement motor first.

For now, if you drive it, keep an eye on the temp gauge when in heavy traffic. If it starts to climb turn your heater fan on and use that too keep the temp in the center of the gauge. When the car is moving there is enough airflow to cool the engine fine, it is only when stopped in traffic you need the fan. Better find one before summer gets here.

BTW, where are you located?
'87 Tercel 4wd SR5 (current engine swap project)
'84 Tercel 4wd (daily driver, with on going mods)
'92 Mazda MPV 4wd (wife's daily driver)
'85 Tercel 4wd DLX auto(daughter's daily driver)
'01 Honda Civic (other daughter's daily driver)
TURTCEL
Highest Ranking Member
Posts: 662
Joined: Mon Dec 10, 2012 11:42 am
My tercel:: 1985 4WD SR5 Wagon, Brown (TURTCEL)
Location: Everett, WA

Re: Radiator fan motor

Post by TURTCEL »

micah wrote:Hello all,
I am new to the forum and I have an 86 Tercel 4wd Auto trans. 1.5l 3a motor that I've had for a few months. It seems the cooling fan motor has died. It was going constantly and making a pretty loud bearing type noise but has since stopped working all together. I figured I would just replace it since I found one at the local auto parts store for $57 but soon found out that it was the wrong one. Looks like I need the $170 version! Anybody know which one is the right one? Seems like there are a couple of different options. Also any suggestions on a supplier? I tried the search but did not find much on this subject.
Thanks,
Micah

Where do you live? I have a spare fan assembly if I can help you out.

Peace
1985 Tercel 4wd SR5 Wagon, WEBER Carb, Brown (TURTCEL)
1988 Corolla DLX All-Trac Wagon, 4 speed AT, Silver (Wife's new car)
1993 Ford Escort Wagon LX, 5 Speed, Smurf Blue (Smurfette)...selling
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