Where is the Cooling Fan Control Module located on 2017 Explorer?

[peterk9]

The recall applies to 2016-2018 Explorers made at the Chicago plant. The fix is to replace the four connectors the high speed relay plugs into. You can always unplug the relay until you get it fixed. Perhaps they sold you the ambient air temperature sensor? Your ECM use that info on how fast to turn the fans. That part is behind the front bumper cover on the passenger side. Picture?

Ambient Air Temperature Location

Where is the ambient air temperature sensor located on a 2015 Limited Edition Explorer?

www.explorerforum.com

 

[2017Limited]

No I have a Fan Control module. I have an appointment with a ford dealer to look deeper into it. I will check to see if any grounds are corroded tomorrow. I can say this problem does not make a lot of sense at all. But I know I checked and replaced all the fuses and relays with OEM parts. I did not check grounds which I did not think of until this am.

 

[J_C]

ECT was checked via scan tool live data. And it matched a digital infrared thermometer.

As a background: originally the low speed fan would stay on. Then the relay 21 was changed and then the low speed fan would not come on and at low speed or idling the engine would overheat. The codes were temp overheat and cooling fan circuit #1 error.

The ford PN for the fan control module is: CT43-8C609-AA.

So it’s like chasing gremlins. Also now the fans do not start with AC turned on.

I did a little more research on this module.

You will find it mounted on the fan frame, on a Ford Focus. It is shaped specifically to fit there, will not be anywhere else, on, an, Explorer. There are two ways you could interpret that statement. Look on your fan frame if that's what it takes to resolve this.

Cooling fan module

Hi all, My 2012 radiator cooling fan comes on sometimes when opening/closing the doors, comes on sometimes (while driving) in the 90-94C temperature range, and engine overheats (111C) occasionally. Installed new thermostat about a year ago, and hoses get hot at the appropriate times. Coolant...

www.focusfanatics.com

 

[ProjectSHO89]

Geez, if you'd just go read the text for the 21N01 FSA, you'd have your answer... It was issued to address your exact described symptom.

Text from dealer letter for FSA 21N01:

REASON FOR PROVIDING A NO-COST, ONE TIME REPAIR
After extended idling, the high-speed cooling fan relay may fail in some of the affected vehicles. A
failure will cause the fan to either continuously run or never turn on. A continuously running fan will
increase the temperature of the relay’s connections (terminals) to beyond their design maximum. This
may eventually create an electrical arc which heats and damages the relay terminals. Customers may
experience a drained battery and a non-functional or even a melted/burned high-speed cooling fan
relay inside the battery junction box (BJB). A damaged non-functional relay, causing the fan to never
turn on may lead to engine overheating at idle.

The complete dealer letter is attached to this post.

If you went and read the thread I directed you to, you'd have the schematic (2016 & 2017, at a minimum, have the same circuitry for the fan control). That way, you can see how it's supposed to work (assuming you're comfortable reading schematics).

An "NO", you do NOT have a fan control module. The Explorer didn't use them as they used three relays to control the two fans. The fan control modules were used in a couple of smaller Fords (Transit Connect, Focus or Fiesta (forget which), certain Escapes, probably more) but no Explorers.

 

[2017Limited]

So the diagnosis was bad PCM.

 

[ProjectSHO89]

So the diagnosis was bad PCM.

So, is it actually repaired with a new PCM or not?

 

[2017Limited]

So, is it actually repaired with a new PCM or not?

Yes after a few weeks the PCM was the issue.