Saturn vue 03 cooling fan consistantly running?

Answer 1

The on-board computer senses a problem with the engine. A general fault condition is registered which keeps the cooling fan running regardless of temperature until the code can be cleared from the computer.

The general fault code means the problem is not deterministic. It happened on my 03 Vue after a slight hesitation under moderate load (going uphill with the A/C on). My mechanic replaced both fuel pumps (not cheap), and the problem was reduced but not eliminated completely.

To keep the problem from occurring too frequently:

(1) Do not buy cheap gas, (use Chevron, Shell, Mobil, 76, etc.)

(2) Do not run your tank empty

(3) Add a few gallons of 89 octane to every fill up

Mechanics charge a fee to hook up a computer and clear the code. You can do this yourself and save a few bucks by disconnecting the battery cable for a few minutes. Sometimes I need to pull the fuse (relay?) in the fuse box marked "main cooling fan".

The persistent cooling fan problem on my 03 Vue is quite intermittent - it happens to me only twice a year.