toomanytoyotas

I'll admit, I only searched a little, then gave up. Here is what is happening, I turn the engine off, but the electric fan that is on the front side of the radiator keeps running. It will run for hours and hours if I let it. I thought my simple fix (until I had time to work on it this weekend) would be to unplug the fan after turning the engine off. (I have a custom bumper, so it is easy to get to). This morning I went out to start the 4runner and the battery was dead, so while the fan is not running, something else is still draining power. Coincidentally, the same day I noticed the fan running my A/C fan control slider stopped sliding. The A/C still works, but I can't slide the fan speed all the way to the left which is the "off" side. It stops about mid-way, almost like it is jammed. I'm assuming these two issues are related. Any ideas?

fillsrunner4

wire in a switch or better yet splice the power to the fan to ignition soit only gets power when the truck is turned on

toomanytoyotas

I'm not so sure that would completely solve the problem. Even after I disconnected the fan, something still drained the battery. Any thoughts on what that might be? There was no drain on the battery prior to this.

904_runner

Have you hooked up anything electrical recently? Stereo? etc?


Check for dead cells in the battery?

toomanytoyotas

No new electrical installs. The only connection I can see is that the A/C fan speed switch locked up on me about the same time. The switch acts like it is jambed. I noticed the switch was jambed after I noticed the fan was running. I plan on pulling the A/C control component out of the dash either tonight or tomorrow to see if anything is obviously wrong with it (you know, like a shoe lace untied in there or something ).

Noltz

The fan of which you speak is called the "Condenser Fan" by Toyota. Looked up the inspection procedure for it;
I also found this info regarding the relay that controls that fan;


Hope that gives you something to start with.

Noltz

I've also got the wiring diagrams for the AC system, if you need. PM me... I lose track of threads.

toomanytoyotas

You are a bad dude Noltz! That definately gives me a good starting point. Do you think that a bad relay in might cause the A/C switch to seem jambed?

904_runner

I don't think so, if it has the same kind of switch i have, i think it connects to a tiny cable of some sort, but i could be wrong.

toomanytoyotas

You're probably right. My guess is the jambed switch is just a coincedence, either that or the jambed switch jacked up a relay that is now keeping the fan on. Either way, I have a starting point. I'll let you know what I find. Thanks for the input.

904_runner

Sounds like its time to take apart the dash

abecedarian

If you disconnected the fan but not the relay it's possible the relay itself drained the battery. However I find it hard to believe that a relay coil drained a battery overnight by itself. On the other hand, the A/C system is controlled by the A/C button and fan speed switch or if the A/C has its own button or is integrated in the heater/defrost switch, that switch. Usually, if the fan has an 'off' position there is a separate button to activate the A/C.
Either way, something in one of those components could be causing the fan relay to energize- it should only be active if the A/C is on. Also, I think some vehicles had a 2 stage temperature sender that can activate the condenser fan if the water temperature gets too hot for the normal radiator fan to keep up with.
You can also check to see if the A/C compressor clutch is engaged with the key off. I'm leaning towards the stuck fan switch being the prime culprit if you find that to be true.

leebee

if your slider is doing the same thing mine is, its probably heated up enough to fuse/melt inside and create a blockage preventing the slider from free travel. i have a replacement switch assy that i am planning on swapping out.

time to take apart the dash! oh joy, oh bliss, this is something i sure could miss.

lee

toomanytoyotas

I tested all the condenser relays under the hood and they all check out. I figured that would be the easiest place to start. Since the relays look o.k. that points to the fan speed slider on the A/C control assembly. So the dash came apart.

Concerning the slider, I think it is exactly what you are saying LeeBee. It almost looks like the fan speed slider can be removed from the rest of the A/C control assembly. Does anyone know if that is right, or will I have to get an entire control assembly?

leebee

if you have the control unit out, you will see a white assy that is the fan speed switch. that is what you have to replace. there are some tabs that you have to release to remove it, the new or used part should slide and snap back into place. you are then good to go.

lee

toomanytoyotas

I went back into the garage and answered my own question. It looks like it is a melted slider switch. Pictures to follow.

toomanytoyotas

Thanks for your help leebee.

Does this look like what you found on yours?

toomanytoyotas

Well it looks like the two problems are not related. I got the A/C fan speed slider issue fixed. I can now turn the A/C completely off. However, the condenser fan still runs after the truck is turned off.

I'm wondering if I didn't test the relays properly. Can anyone walk me through that proceedure? Much appreciated...

dirtoyboy

I have an easy solution. Put the stock fan clutch assembly back on. K.I.S.S.

toomanytoyotas

Maybe the title of the thread is misleading. I've since learned it isn't an auxiliary fan, it is the condenser fan. Either way, the fan is the stock setup.