In this tutorial, I'll walk you thru how to test the radiator fan motor or condenser fan motor on your 3.0L V6 Toyota Camry, step by step.
These two tests will help you identify whether the fan motor is functioning properly or if it needs to be replaced.
NOTE: The radiator cooling fan motor is located on the driver's side of the radiator. The condenser fan is located on the passenger side.
Contents of this tutorial:
APPLIES TO: This tutorial applies to the following vehicles:
- 3.0L V6 Toyota Camry: 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001.
Wiring Diagrams: You can find the cooling fan motor wiring diagrams here:
- Cooling Fan Circuit Wiring Diagram (1995-1996 3.0L V6 Toyota Camry).
- Cooling Fan Circuit Wiring Diagram (1997-1998 3.0L V6 Toyota Camry).
- Cooling Fan Circuit Wiring Diagram (1999-2001 3.0L V6 Toyota Camry).
Fan Motor Basics
As you may have already noticed, your 3.0L V6 Camry's radiator has two cooling fan motors bolted to it. This is how you can tell them apart:
- The radiator cooling fan motor is located on the driver's (left) side of the radiator.
- 1995-2001: Its pigtail connector has a blue (BLU) wire and a white with black stripe (WHT/BLK) wire.
- The AC condenser fan motor is positioned on the passenger (right) side.
- 1995-1996: Its pigtail connector has a red (RED) wire and a white (WHT) wire.
- 1997-2001: Its pigtail connector has a red (RED) wire and a red with black stripe (RED/BLK) wire.
In a nutshell, both fans operate at the same time when activated by the cooling system to cool the engine down or when the AC is turned on.
Common Symptoms Of A Faulty Fan Motor
For the most part, you usually just see one of the cooling fans going bad. When one or both cooling fans go bad, you'll see one or more of the following symptoms.
- Overheating: The engine may overheat, especially during idle or in stop-and-go traffic, due to inadequate cooling.
- Blown fuses: Excessive current draw from a failing motor can cause its fuse to blow repeatedly.
- Relay failures: A faulty fan motor may also damage the fan relay.
- Unusual noises: Grinding or squealing sounds could indicate worn motor bearings.
- Fan doesn't run: The radiator fan or the AC condenser fan may fail to engage when the engine temperature rises.
Where To Buy The Cooling Fan Motor
The radiator fan motor on the 1997-2001 3.0L Toyota Camry isn't an expensive part. The following links will help you comparison shop and save a few bucks:
NOTE: Not sure if the fan motor assembly above fits your particular 3.0L V6 Toyota Camry? Don't worry. Once you get to the site they'll make sure it fits by asking you the specifics of your particular vehicle. If it doesn't fit, they'll find you the one that does.
TEST 1: Measuring The Amperage Draw Of The Fan Motor
The first thing we need to do, to determine if the fan motor is good or bad, is to find out if it's drawing too much current.
Before we get started, I want to point out that the cooling system is designed for the radiator and condenser fans to run together at one of two speeds: low or high.
- Low Speed (AC On): Both fans receive power in series from the CDS 30A fuse.
- High Speed (AC Off): The fans run in parallel, drawing power independently from their respective fuses:
- The radiator fan motor gets power from the RDI 30A fuse.
- The AC condenser fan motor gets power from the CDS 30A fuse.
Since the fans are designed to share power from the same 30 Amp fuse in series mode, their combined amperage draw must not exceed 30 Amps when running at high speed.
To check the amperage draw of the fan motors, I measure their resistance using a multimeter set to Ohms mode. Then, I apply Ohm's Law (Amps = Volts ÷ Ohms) to calculate the amperage draw.
While the fan's resistance at a standstill may not perfectly match its resistance while running, this quick test has never let me down.
IMPORTANT: Make sure the fan motor blades remain completely still while measuring resistance. Even slight movement can skew the reading and make the results inaccurate.
Let's get started:
- 1
Disconnect the fan motor from its electrical connector.
- 2
Place your multimeter in Ohms mode.
- 3
Measure the resistance of the fan motor across pins 1 and 2 with your multimeter (see photo above).
NOTE: The test is done on the connector coming out of the fan motor. This connector has male spade terminals. - 4
Record the resistance value.
- 5
Repeat steps 1 thru 4 on the second fan motor.
- 6
Apply Ohms Law to calculate the amperage draw of each fan motor:
A.) Divide the resistance value of the first fan motor into 12.5.
B.) Divide the resistance value of the second fan motor into 12.5
To be a little more specific: If the resistance of a fan motor is 0.4 Ohms, the math would look like this: 12.5 ÷ 0.4 = 31.25. This means its amperage draw is 31.25 Amps. - 7
The calculated amperage draw of each fan motor must not exceed 15 Amps.
- 8
Add the amperage draw values of both fan motors.
- 9
The combined amperage draw of both fan motors should not exceed 30 Amps.
Let's take a look at your test results:
CASE 1: The amperage draw of each motor is under 15 Amps and the combined amperage draw of both fan motor is under 30 Amps. This the correct and expected test result.
The next step is to manually apply battery power and Ground, from your Toyota Camry's battery, to the fan motor itself. For this test go to: TEST 2: Applying Power And Ground To The Fan Motor.
CASE 2: The amperage draw of one fan motor is over 15 Amps. This result tells you that your Toyota Camry's fan motor is defective and needs to be replaced —even if it runs.
Here's why: When the fan motor draws more than the specified current, it's a sign that its internal components, such as the bearings or windings, are worn out. This excess current can and will blow the fan motor fuse or burn out the relay.
So, even if the fan motor runs, its high amperage draw risks further damage to the cooling system and electrical components.
TEST 2: Applying Power And Ground To The Fan Motor
In this last test section, we're gonna verify the operation of the fan motor by applying battery power and Ground directly to it.
The safest and easiest way to apply power and Ground to the fan motor is by using insulated jumper wires (as shown in the illustration above).
This test procedure applies to both fans, so you'll need to test them individually.
IMPORTANT: Perform this test only if the fan motor's amperage draw is less than 15 amps (as determined in TEST 1). If the amperage draw exceeds 15 Amps, the fan motor is faulty —even if it runs when you apply battery power and Ground.
These are the test steps:
- 1
Disconnect the fan motor from its electrical connector.
- 2
Apply battery power to the fan motor terminal identified with the number 1 in the illustration above.
NOTE: You'll be applying power to the male spade terminal of the connector coming out of the radiator fan motor itself. - 3
Apply chassis Ground to the radiator fan motor terminal identified with the number 2 in the illustration above.
NOTE: You'll be applying Ground to the male spade terminal of the connector coming out of the radiator fan motor itself. - 4
The fan motor should run.
Let's take a look at your test results:
CASE 1: The fan motor runs. This is the correct test result.
You can conclude that your Toyota Camry's radiator (or condenser) fan motor is not defective if you have:
- Confirmed that the fan motor's amperage draw is under 15 Amps (TEST 1).
- Confirmed that the fan motor runs when applying 12 Volts and Ground to it (this test section).
The radiator and condenser fans are activated by Radiator Fan Switch 1. If the fan motor tests fine but the fans don't engage, this switch might need to be tested as well.
- How To Test Radiator Fan Switch 1 (1995-1996 3.0L V6 Toyota Camry).
- How To Test Radiator Fan Switch 1 (1997-2001 3.0L V6 Toyota Camry).
CASE 2: The fan motor DOES NOT run. This test result tells you that the radiator (or condenser) fan motor is defective and needs to be replaced.
More 3.0L Toyota Camry Tutorials
You can find a complete list of 3.0L Toyota Camry tutorials and wiring diagrams in this index:
Here's a sample of the tutorials you'll find there:
- How To Test Engine Compression (1992-2006 3.0L V6 Toyota Camry).
- How To Test For A Blown Head Gasket (1992-2006 3.0L V6 Toyota Camry).
- How To Test The TPS (1997-2001 3.0L V6 Toyota Camry).
- How To Test The MAF Sensor (1997-2001 3.0L V6 Toyota Camry).
If this info saved the day, buy me a beer!
