Electronic Fan Clutch Issue

[kevinbakon]

I posted this a couple of summers ago & was curious if any progress has been made for remedying this issue . . .

The best way I can describe the symptoms is a roaring of the fan (similar to the fan-roar sound a box truck makes) upon acceleration & a noticeable lack of power.

If I remember correctly, in a response to my original post, it was explained that the symptoms may be due to the electronic fan clutch. When very hot and/or humid, the clutch becomes fully engaged, causing a redistribution of power and an audible "roar" sound.

These symptom, so far, have only occurred during hot summer days, after the engine is plenty warm and during stop & go traffic.

I also gathered that this issue is not very common & I experience it regularly due to the summer climate here in Houston.

I haven't spoken with any Gen 2 owners here in Houston, but I have heard the same noise from previous year Explorers & Expeditions.

I took the truck into the shop 3 or 4 times between the last 3 summers with the same response "unless we can recreate the issue in the shop, we can't properly diagnose it".

During my latest visit to Ford, I had to get something from my truck & had a brief conversation with the tech. He explained that he (thought) he knew exactly what noise I'm talking about & he believes it's due to the pulley being smooth, not grooved & it also usually collects a lot of grit.

He replaced the pulley and the clutch.

The next day . . . . the noise returned & has every day since.

Does anyone know what I'm talking about? experience the same? find a fix?

Thanks,

kevin

 

[Jimmy Lavoie]

That has happened to me a few times (live in South Florida) but only for a few seconds when I first start the truck. I just let up on the gas for a few seconds and all is fine after that.



Again, it's only happened like - 3-4 times.

 

[Art Garcia]

ive encountered the exact same experience.

it has happened to me no more than 5 times, mostly

during startup, and it will last for about less than a minute

or so, but i do remember once it lasted for about ten minutes.

it sounds like an airplane taking off, and yes ive been told it is

the electric fan clutch. i have yet to fix it, dont see it as a big issue

just yet.

 

[Todd Z]

Arturo,



your Gen 1 does not have an electric fan clutch like the Gen 2 truck does..



Todd Z

 

[Art Garcia]

thanks Todd.



so now that leaves me with the doubt of what that

issue might just be.

 

[kevinbakon]

As I mentioned, I only have occurrences once the engine is completely warmed up . . .

I drive 30 minutes home at around 4:00 in the afternoon.

2/3 of my drive is on the freeway & the remaining 1/3 is stop & go.

I can usually make it home without the fan kicking on, but if I stop somewhere, make a detour, or run an errand the fan will inevitably start to roar.

It usually kicks on for a couple of minutes and during that time, I shut the AC off, try to do as much coasting as possible, go easy on the throttle . . . it eventually stops.

As soon as I get back into the stop & go though, rinse & repeat.

 

[Mike S 3]

I don't get it... are you saying that the fan doing its job, and drawing air thru the radiator is a problem?



:banghead:

 

[scott degroot]

I remember you having this concern before. The fan is designed to engage for various reasons and takes into account engine temp, air temp, engine load, ac demand etc..etc... From your description, and where you live, it sounds like the fan is operating exaclty as it is meant to wheteher you like it or not. When the fan engages it will make a roaring noise and you may feel a lack of power. It is doing this because it is hot outside and there is a huge load placed on the cooling system that requires a large amount of air be drawn past the radiator to cool it. You do have a few options available to you but they won't come cheap. First off you could try getting a larger radiator installed. This would add cooling capacity so the fan wouldn't engage as often or for as long. You could also pull the mechanical fan off and switch to a electric fan but then you would have to see if one of the sponsors can program out the fan clutch code that will pop up. A "good" electrical fan setup isn't cheap once you figure the cost of the fan, the fan controller adn the programmer you will need to keep the check engine light from coming on...this may not be possible.



Is your coolant level ok and are you sure that the vehicle isn't overheating????

 

[kevinbakon]

L1Tech,

Thanks for replying . . . I believe you're the one that replied to my original inquiry and informed me that it is my fan clutch . . .

I understand where you're coming from regarding "the fan is operating exactly as it is meant to", I just have to wonder if the computer's tolerance range is too low & this behavior is premature as a "safe-guard" when in all actuallity could be broadened & still be "safe"???

If that's not the case, the last thing I want to do is a mod that could potentially cause damage to the truck, so I may just have to live with it. I'm just disappointed in the design, etc. I know several Ford owners (new & late models including a variety of makes) here in Houston & none have the same issue as I have . . .

It wouldn't be an issue if it was only after a few hours & only occasionally on VERY hot/humid days, but this is (no exaggeration) a daily occurrence for me after only 30 minutes of driving, every year from June to October/November.

So for 5 months or so out of the year I have to deal with the annoying sound, hot air from the AC vents & the risk of power loss when I may need to move in a hurry . . .

It just doesn't seem right to pay $30k for a vehicle that behaves this way & is SUPPOSED to.

Oh & no, I don't believe the truck is overheating. Coolant level is good & the temperature gauge is fine.

 

[EddieS'04]

Kevin, It is posible your temp sensor to the ecu, has the wrong resistance values. Not the one to the gauge. The other one.



If under warranty get them to check it. If they wont, change it your self. Not sure about the trac, but. The one on my '94 stang was only $26. I had electric fan, but. The principal of controling electro-fan clutch, from the ecu should be the same.