vrmad1

I recently replaced the thermostat, water pump, fan relay, and the entire fan assembly. Total cost $1300. At the end of the day today I went to start the Jeep and it was totally dead. Jumped the car to get it home (38 miles away). The battery took a charge on the way home. I parked Jeep and turned off the engine. The radiator fan was still turning at fairly high speed. I had to disconnect the battery to avoid draining it completely. Pretty sure that's what killed my battery in the first place. The fan relay is less than 2 weeks old! I watched a few YouTube videos to see what it takes to replace the relay. Seems like a real pain in the ***. Is there anything else I can check before I go through the trouble of replacing the relay? Thanks in advance!

Dan
http://EpicenterTech.com

OverlandZJ

Dan, you can pull the pass side headlight and trim the upper part of bumper cover to access the relay in a matter of minutes.

dave1123

Nice trick, Overland! Did you use mice to nibble that hole? Seriously though, nice access point!

Is there an easy way to pull apart those Mopar locking connectors, or am I stupid? (Don't answer that!)

jomps

yep and there is alot of info online about this so google it and i know there is a good writeup with pictures out there

OverlandZJ

No mice. Just a drill and four small holes and a small pneumatic sawzall.. in the middle of the night.

Slide the red locking tab first, penetrant helps to loosen em up.

dave1123

I've done that before an still couldn't open them. I've even removed the red tab completely, probably locking to in the process. I am stupid, huh? I usually wind up breaking the locking tabs completely, and wind up cable-tying it back together so it won't come apart from vibration. I never had trouble with GM connectors, but since coming to Dodge & Jeep have always had trouble with this.

Please forgive the idiot. At least he's trying.

OverlandZJ

I'v used a pair of flat bill pliers in the past on stuck ones, jaw on red tab at bottom and other jaw on the plug housing just below the other end. Flat tip screwdriver at a 90* and pushed against may help too.

Once freed up maybe some extra dielectric grease on the lock..

dave1123

Thanks, Overland. I'll give it a shot next time I'm frustrated.

vrmad1

Thanks Overland, that's what I'll do to replace the fan relay. I found several examples of people making that mod. I guess another way of asking this question is, are there any other failure points that could cause the relay to stay on? For all I know, the relay may be good but getting the incorrect bias signal. The work was under warranty so I'm taking it back for service tonight but is there something else I should have them check? Thanks in advance!

Dan
http://EpicenterTech.com