GRRR! Overheating!!!

[ptmikew]

I have a 2001 2.4 non-turbo cruiser, and the fan is not kicking on in the "high-speed" mode. I turned on th A/C and the fan comes on, (low speed I think) but the high speed does not come on when the engine heats up. (I may have the speeds backwards)
After reading all of the advice on this in the various forums, I have checked the 40amp fuse, replaced the high-speed relay, swapped out the low speed relay with the horn, (or vice versa), and replaced the temp sensor, (which was not faulty), and I am now at the point where i am trying to test the fan motor.
I probably could have done this all in a different order, but didn't, so here I am, already $60.00 out and still no fan.
My problem is I cannot get the fan's electrical connector apart. I have moved the red locking tab to the far right to no avail. It does not even wiggle. Does this red tab need to come completely out? Is there a "trick" to this? Am I missing something? HELLLLPPPPP!!!! Please........

Thanks,
-Mike-

[CREWZIN]

Mike,

I had problems with that connector also, but it's been years since I took it apart to replace the fan. Push it all the way to one side or the other and pull the connector apart ( I forget which) but you also have to lift the small tab at the bottom of the connector while your pulling the two halves apart.

Your problem is most certainly the fan motor. Hundreds of us have had to replace it. It's not too bad. It comes out from the top after taking off the holding bolts on both sides. The worst part is taking the front brace off because the radiator has to tilt forward to give you enough clearance to lift the fan housing out.

[ptmikew]

Hi Crewzin,
I have read your posts on this, (thank you btw), and i do not see a tab on my connector. I am beginning to think it was broken off by a "buddy" who was checking it for me.
The only tab like thing I see is right at the VERY base of the connector where the blue and black wires terminate. It looks like that is just some type of wedge to keep the wires tight. Is this the tab you are referring to?

Thanks,
-Mike-

[CREWZIN]

The tab is sort of a squared off "U" shpae that lifts up and allows the connector to come apart at least on mine. The bottom part of the connector has a raised little notch on it and it stops the connector from coming apart. By the raising the tab on the upper part of the connector the "U" lifts up and over the notch allowing the two halves to come apart.

Don't forget, you have to raise the "U" tab while pulling both parts of the connector apart. Use all three hands.

[ptmikew]

I KNEW there was a trick.... I forgot all about the "third" hand.....

I can kind see the "U".... I am pretty sure "buddy" broke the tab off....

Thanks for your help... headed back out under the car!!! Will report back soon I hope!

Thanks again!
-Mike-

[ptmikew]

Well, looks like my buddy did indeed break off the tab, and but good. I cannot get anything to "lift up" even with a screwdriver.
Will I be okay if I cut the wires beyond the connector? And does the new fan motor come with a connector on it? If so it might be possible to "destroy the fan half to get it out, and replace it if motor is bad. If it is "good" rut roh... guess it will be black tape time.

Your thoughts????
-Mike-

[CREWZIN]

Maybe I'm seeing this wrong but if the tab (U) is broken off, there's nothing holding the two halves of the connector together except the red locking tab. Are you sure your pushing the red tab all the way to one side, I mean ALL the way, almost out the side of the connector? If the U is missing, that's the ONLY thing holding the connector together.

[ptmikew]

Hang on I will try to photograph.... maybe I am the one seeing it incorrectly....

-Mike-

[ptmikew]

darn battery dead on camera!!!!!!!! GRRR!!!! Is there anyway you can "point" to the tab you are talking about in the pic you have? Oriented the same way as your picutre, I am pushing the tab all the way to the right......

-Mike-

[CREWZIN]

OK, I just went under my car and pulled it apart. The red tab is pushed in from the left towards the right. The Tab or bottom part of the "U" which is bigger than the sides of the "U" is pushed down so the top part lifts over 2 little notches that you can't see until the connector comes apart. If the bottom part of the tab is broken off by lifting instead of pushing, you might want to stick a small screwdriver into the space between the two halves to lift the upper part of the connector over the tabs. while lifting the upper part, pull down on the bottom part of the connector and hopefully it will come apart.

That's what I just had to do because my tab is broken off which I must have done the last time I messed around with it.

OK, lousy job of messing around with a photo, but this white outline shows where the black tab on the connector is. Push it down so the top part of that tab lifts over the 2 small notches that are holding the connector together.