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Radiator Cooling fan issue THREAD

200K views 314 replies 150 participants last post by  Eugan 
#1 ·
I haven't had a chance to look at it but anyone have any suggestions? It appears its either off balance or coming loose.

Fan Rattle
 
#185 ·
Yes, I just had this issue Saturday, Jeep starts overheating, smoke pouring out of the hood. I let it cool down then drove very carefully to the dealership. They replaced the fan and the fan fuse was also bad. 30k miles and this happens, unacceptable really.


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#186 ·
They replaced mine on Monday with the new fan with the metal plate backing. Mine never overheated. I caught it early. The warranty took care of it and the problem was solved. I feel I spent too much on the brake fluid, synth oil and filter, and cabin filter. Once the warranty expires, I'm doing my own maintenance.
 
#187 ·
Another one with this problem. Throwing these codes:

PCM P0481 "cooling fan 2 control circuit"
DTCM C250264 "Status_eCM TCFailSts"

There's a bulletin that says with these two codes the fan module is calling the other code.

Apparently because I have 39k and not 36k it won't be covered under warranty. $541.13 estimate.
 
#191 ·
There is a transmission class action but you have to have bought the 2015 renegade new to qualify... A while back I was contacted by a lawyer researching the fan issue for a class action but have not heard or seen anything since.
 
#192 ·
Can Buy 68360299AA but make sure has heat shield

Folks! Can't believe this entire thread goes without mentioning which replacement fan is best to buy, or which has the heat shield!

I found on ebay a listing which clearly shows the labeling and P/Ns for one with the heat shield. It is a Mopar Mahle P/N 68360299AA, but it must be a later version. Note the date on the box label, it is from Aug 2019, so maybe there is a date range when the fans come with heat shields (like after a certain build date).

A friend tried to order one and many of them out there DO NOT have the heat shield. She is now having to return the replacement fan, what a hassle!

Looks like can order 68360299AA but have to call/verify has the heat shield. See also attached photos.

Ebay Search Ricambi Radiator 68360299 and you may find similar or same listing. Or just search ebay for 68360299 and scroll through pics until you see one with heat shield (take off the AA for better search).
 

Attachments

#198 ·
Folks! Can't believe this entire thread goes without mentioning which replacement fan is best to buy, or which has the heat shield!

I found on ebay a listing which clearly shows the labeling and P/Ns for one with the heat shield. It is a Mopar Mahle P/N 68360299AA, but it must be a later version. Note the date on the box label, it is from Aug 2019, so maybe there is a date range when the fans come with heat shields (like after a certain build date).

A friend tried to order one and many of them out there DO NOT have the heat shield. She is now having to return the replacement fan, what a hassle!

Looks like can order 68360299AA but have to call/verify has the heat shield. See also attached photos.

Ebay Search Ricambi Radiator 68360299 and you may find similar or same listing. Or just search ebay for 68360299 and scroll through pics until you see one with heat shield (take off the AA for better search).
When looking at my existing fan, how do I tell if I have the updated fan? You showed two photos. Is it the one with the aluminum cap?
 
#195 ·
Unfortunately it sounds like the bushing of your fan motor has worn out most likely due to lack of lubrication. I also think that the fan assy is out of balance which caused the wobble. When the motor starts to wobble, the brushes ( there are 4 of them) makes intermittent contact with the armature. This causes sparks to be produced. When there is spark there is heat. The brush assy gets hot enough to actually cause the circuit board (that holds the brushes) to burn. This spells the end of the fan motor. FCA really should redesign the motor so that ball bearings are used front and back and that the blade assembly be balanced. Doing this will extend the life of the entire assembly. Also it will help keep Tony from being resurrected from the dead.

Please see my posts regarding preventive maintenance for this fan assy. Although I must admit that it might not work 100 percent but at least it is worth trying. Let us keep an eye on this issue.
 
#202 ·
If your fan wobbles that means the fan motor is bad. Have it checked asap before you overheat. It seems like the rear motor lube dried up an caused the bushing to wear an oval shaped hole. I posted a prevention for this problem but I cannot prove that will work. Mine has 35000 miles no problem. So I am still racking up miles. 700 miles just last week alone. We'll see.
 
#205 ·
I would HIGHLY suggest anyone under original warranty that has not had this issue yet NOT modify their fan. This would void warranty. Instead I would take it in and let them know the fan has been making sounds and sporadically wobbling. This is the first indicator the fan is beginning to fail and enough to get the fan replaced under warranty... Especially with JeepCares help if needed.
 
#206 ·
Fortunately I am not experiencing any problem with my fan. I always check it before I go on a long trip (with engine cold). No wobble no play on my fan motor yet. We'll see if my fan motor will go bad before 100 k miles. I will keep you guys posted if there's any change in the fan operation/performance.

Yes and I have to agree that if you are experiencing any problems with your fan to see the dealer right away. Don't wait til the problem gets big. Any sign of fan problem is serious since this is a known problem. I'm sure the dealers know about this.
Better be safe than sorry. Better to let the service manager know that it is a known problem and if they fail to take action they could be in big trouble.

Me, I like to experiment and I have all the tools and ability to fix most problems on any of my vehicles. I am even thinking of buying a new fan assy so I can disect it to see how I can re-engineer it to make it better. I have some ideas. The part is not that expensive.
 
#208 ·
Hello,

I am curious to know with this specific issue when you are at a complete stop, will you feel excessive vibration? Is this one of the warning signs of a fan issue? I realize especially when my AC unit is on and I am at a complete stop my 2015 Jeep Renegade Latitude vibrates excessively. Thanks.
 
#209 ·
Hello,

I am curious to understand more about the fan issue. When I am at a complete stop and the vehicle is in the drive gear, my vehicle vibrates excessively. Is this excessive vibration from the fan. I own the 2015 Jeep Renegade Latitude and have had this issue since I can remember, but it never bothered me until my wife kept asking me if it was normal. The vehicle makes this vibration with AC, heat, and even when those components are not on. I realize if I put the vehicle in Neutral gear it stops the vibration. Again, I am curious to know if this has any relation to the fan issue. Thanks.
 
#210 ·
You may want to check for a bad motor mount. There was an issue with early Renegades and bad motor mounts.
 
#211 ·
Thanks for the reply! Sorry for the double post with pretty much the same information, for some reason it didn't go through the first time but eventually posted. Umm I will have to look into this possibly being the motor mount. If it was the motor mount wouldn't it eventually give out? This vibration has been pretty much the life of the car, as I mentioned I have had car brand new since 2015. I've had broken motor mounts on other vehicles and it wasn't long before they just failed and vehicle was not drivable.
 
#212 ·
The mount may or may not give out. There was a change in production sometime early on, and that supposedly cured a lot of peoples similar complaints. I don't recall anybody saying that theirs actually broke, but the vibration is/was a common complaint.
 
#214 ·
Bought my 2017 Jeep Renegade in July last year, it was a pre-owned vehicle with about 6700 miles on it. It now has about 21,000 miles on it and while I was sitting at a drive thru on Friday afternoon, my warning light came on that the engine was running very hot. Fortunately I was able to pull up in the parking lot to let it cool down. The CDJR Apple dealership that I bought it from is right down the street but I called while I was waiting in the parking lot and they wouldn't be able to look at until about mid-week. Drove back home. Fiance looks at the car and sees that the fuse is blown. Buy a new fuse and try it again. AC was on to get the temp up and he yells at me to turn it off because now the radiator fan is smoking. Another fuse blown and now determined that the fan is the issue and needs replaced. Ok, the car is still under warranty. He looks up and sees that this has been a problem in my certain vehicle. Now, the vehicle was just in 3/22/19 because the service engine light was on and it was a thermostat problem. I get that all cars are eventually gonna have issues but I've had it less than a year and it's gonna be in the shop twice in less than 3 months!!! What's worse, they don't have loaner vehicles so I have to rent a vehicle from Enterprise if I want any type of transportation. The repair for my vehicle is covered because of warranty but I'm still out over $400 because of getting insurance and renting a car for a week. Am I a bit distraught?? Would you be?? Love my vehicle but I'm so close to just trading in!!!!
 
#215 ·
Love my vehicle but I'm so close to just trading in!!!!
I get that. FCA (the company that owns the Jeep name) is not known for quality products - especially at the lower price points. Unfortunately, the the Renegade is near the bottom of their pricing structure -so they basically don't care if they have a certain failure rate. It's cheaper for them to just ignore problems with these vehicle than to fix them. Get rid of it or burn it in a fire pit.

BTW: my 2015 has been fine..., nay perfect. Never been back to the dealer (which I credit for part of the successful relationship).
 
#217 ·
Add my 2015 Renegade to the list of 1000’s on failed radiator fans. Only 34,800 miles but the age takes it just out of warranty. $560 to fix at the dealership and yes “there should be a recall on these”. I own a Ram, Challenger and 2 Jeep, now that is customer loyalty. FCA needs to step up and do the right thing for their loyal customers. If there is ever a class action lawsuit or recall on this obviously failed safety hazard part, sign me up! Pissed!
 
#219 ·
I started having the same problem with all the same symptoms about 2 weeks ago. I was disheartened to say the least to read all through this and realize I was going to have to pay out of pocket to have it repaired, especially given that I'm at 37k miles, just 1k beyond the initial warranty. Not that that would have made a difference apparently.

I scheduled an appointment Wednesday with the dealership for tomorrow (Friday). I got a call this morning from the technician that they had just today received the recall for this issue and my service tomorrow will be free. Pretty amazing timing.

I didn't actually see it yet on the sites tracking recalls but I wanted to make it known that it appears to have finally been recalled.
 
#221 ·
Sweet! Maybe my 2015 TH will see a dealer service department after all. I'm not letting them touch ANYTHING else. I wouldn't trust them to replace my recalled wheel stud wrench. I've been checking my fan (and oil level) at least a couple times per week.

I'm sure many people are wondering if they can be reimbursed for fan repairs already completed.
 
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