How do you remove the cooling fan on 1996 Pontiac Sunfire?

Answer 1

Although the Haynes says to simply disconnect the electrical plug, remove bolts, and pop it out of the retaining clips and pull out, it's not quite so simple. First off, there is only one bolt to remove almost dead center of the car. (passenger side of the fan). After removing this, you will have little to no room to maneuver it within the space given. Pop it from the clips on the right (driver) side by sliding it away from them. The top is a clip. The bottom is a square mount. Once clear of the bolt and clips, and electrical is no longer connected, you will find that it will slide (with effort) side to side. There is a ridiculously designed hanger type piece that hangs over the condenser as a type of grapple to the other side of it. In theory, lift it up "slightly" as the manual says and it should come out. That is the most under-rated instruction I've ever come across in a manual. I removed the cover to the hood latch, removed two more bolts to slide it towards the front to gain more clearance. After that, removed the two bolts securing the condenser to pop the top of the fan grapple off of it once it's movable. Then.. lift the car up into the air, and remove through the bottom. Don't bother trying through the opening at the top. You'll lose every bit of skin on your hand from hitting the solid coolant lines, transmission, starter, and wiring harness. It's impossible. After attempting this on two identical cars over a period of 7 hours, trust me. It will NOT wiggle or bend out the top. Hope this is helpful.