Please HELP...

[deerejoe]

The electric, engine cooling fan has quit functioning; allowing the engine to overheat.

It sounds like a sewing machine (clackety noise) for 2-3 seconds, stops for 5-6 seconds and repeats the process. It does not run quiet or for any duration.
Just off/on as described.

Can anyone analyze what the problem is??

It will have to be transported 60 miles to the nearest L/M dealer if I can't fix it in place. 6K miles to date...no other problems.

All comments will be appreciated.

[BillyGman]

Man, that's terrible. I can't shed any light on the subject for you. But the only thing I can say is that if you really don't want to have ittowed nor flat bedded (which I would probably have done) and you're bent on driving it to the dealer, then surely you can find a closer dealer than one that's 60 miles away, no? You aren't obligated in any way to have warantee work done at any one dealer you know.

if you find a place that's closer, then the thing to do, is drive it no more than 5-10 miles at a time with the heater controls on and set at 90 degrees w/all the windows open, and the heater fan on high. that will take some of the heat away from the engine, and might even avoid the need for the fan to go on anyway while you're driving to the dealer.

[deerejoe]

Billy, Thank you for your response.
My dealer (personal friend as well) is the ONLY one whom I trust to take care of me regarding the Marauder. He's the 60 mile location.

Plan to call him first thing tomorrow.
Will update when I know something.

Is this a "first time" problem on this site??
I'm not too excited about that prospect...had hoped for the potential of repair in (my) place.

Any other ideas???? Anyone??

[BillyGman]

If it's mostly highway driving to that dealer, then you might be able to drive the entire 60 miles, or atleast 30 miles at a time, w/out the fan having to go on at all, and w/out the engine overheating IF you do what I suggested w/the heater.

If you're worried about the fan making that noise during the ride, then before you leave, simply unplug the fan motor under the hood. there's an electrical plug located right on the fan shrowd towards the driver's side of the car. Piece of cake to unplug. Just let the dealer know that you've unplugged it.

[deerejoe]

Billy,
Its their baby!!
I don't want to be the one to potentially damage the engine. As you know, too much heat is the worst enemy of a sound engine.

Yes, I know where the plug is. Fan noise is of no concern...but will unplug if driving.

I may want to keep this car for a long time...a good engine is essential.

Not a good road to play the car along on...many hills and very warm here now. Poor shoulders and no rest areas.
If the dealer service guy will allow my driving it...he'll have to take responsibility.

Sorry, but I'm VERY particular.

The thought of flat bed transport is not encouraging either...but will have to let dealer decide how to get it there.

The beauty (if any) lies in the fact of it crapping out at my gate and not on some lonely road to nowhere!!
At least here I can decide the best method to transport without leaving it beside the road with the flashers on!!

[cruzer]

Your car is under warranty---you are not obligated to get it to the dealer---they are--insist that the dealer set up all delivery problems--Flat bed only--If you damage the engine it's your baby. L/M is obligated to protect the car. Keep us posted---DON't drive it anywhere.

[CRUZTAKER]

Good luck Deerejoe, I read your post when it first hit, but had nothing to offer in way of a solution.

Cruzer is right, you have road side assistance as part of you warranty. Just watch how and where the guys hook to the frame to pull it up on the flatbed.

[BillyGman]

The fan often won't even go on when you're on the highway, but especially if you had the heater going I'm sure that the engine wouldn't get hot enough to require the fan. But since it wasn't mostly highway anyway, and you seemed to have got it all worked out, then none of this is applicable anyway. Good luck. keep us posted.

[Dr Caleb]

What Billy said ^^^

On the highway, the fan doesn't come on. Sounds like a bum fan to me. I've driven cars that the fan has gone, just by turning the heater to full until I got on the highway. Don't turn on the A/C, and watch the temp until you get there. Keep it in the low RPM's and try to keep it cool in town.

Personally, I got the 7 year/150,000 warranty. If anything went wrong with my car, I'd just call the 800 number on the door to come get it.

[deerejoe]

I appreciate the responses on my plea for help.

Here is where we are: Called the dealer (my friend) first thing this AM. He took complete charge of the situation, had a flat bed transportor with 2 very capable people pick up the MM and take it to my dealer.

These guys haul all types of collector cars and really impressed me with their concern, etc.
All 4 wheels were seized with nylon belts along with a 4 point chain fastening systems at each corner under body.

Air suspension was turned off prior to loading...their idea...said sometimes the car will try to adjust for tie downs.

Note to BillyGman:
Service manager said, "absolutely DO NOT drive the car"!!
(exactly what I thought he would say)
He also felt it was very unusual for the fan to go out at such low mileage. Town Cars have been known to have this problem, but with much more mileage. Could be as simple as a relay switch problem....

I have requested they do a complete scan of all etectrical systems while there. I have a 2000 mile trip planned for 10 June of this year and would feel better if all issues are resolved.

It will be VERY embarrassing if it turns out to be vermin chewing the wires, etc.!!!!!!!
Farms have a problem with all sorts of 'critters' causing electrical issues on motorized vehicles.

It has happened before to a previous car when a family of rodents invaded and ate my ignition wires!!
I examined all the wires I could see/feel and did not find any damage to the Marauder.

I should hear something tomorrow.

[jgc61sr2002]

Joe - Good luck with the repairs. Keep us posted. Thanks

[CRUZTAKER]

It will be VERY embarrassing if it turns out to be vermin chewing the wires, etc.!!!!!!!
Yeah, I get that problem. Varmits aren't covered in the warranty. I once had a chipmonk make a home in a hood behind the liner. I never did get all the acorns from inside the hood.

[BillyGman]

I'm sorry, but I'm afraid that I misunderstood the first post here. you said that the car had to be "transported 60 miles" and you obviously meant just that. "Transported". i thought that you meant that it had to be driven that distance. Sorry for the mix-up. I wasn't trying to cause any arguments. But anyhow, I'm glad that you had some competent people come out to take your car out of there. Good luck w/all of this.

[deerejoe]

Happy days are here again!!

Engine cooling fan, wiring, plugs, etc., all REPLACED IN TOTAL.
Special (arranged by dealer, NOT Ford road side asst.) transport from my home to dealer location (60 miles) at HIS COST!!
He would NOT accept more than a Thank You...and to that, I can offer only my continued business.

Picked up car today...all squeaky clean and ready to roll again.
My Marauder is home safe and sound......
Monetary cost to me= $ ZERO!!

Folks, I gotta tell ya, having a FRIEND in the automobile business is worth its weight in gold when you have a problem with one of todays engineering marvels of automotive complexity.

Springfield Lincoln/Mercury, Springfield, MO (my local dealer), has to be one of the premier auto dealers in the country. They not only sell cars, they sell a lasting relationship as well.

Sure, I'm all aglow having escaped the nightmare of of a major breakdown in a 'sea of sharks' waiting to devour my check book.
Warranty's are a MUST with todays complex machines. When my mileage/or time approaches 3Y/36K, I will be first in line to go for an extension.

This week's journey in gloomsville had a HAPPY ending. If it had been vermin that chewed up the wires; no warranty would have spared my coins!!
There has to be a moral here some where??

Which reminds me, I better refresh the bar baits in the barn!!

So, what have we learned from this??
Electric, engine cooling fans can 'crap out' at ANY time, regardless the mileage and the fix is: REPLACEMENT.

Thanks again to those respondants who offered their advice.