How to Replace the Fan in a Nissan Maxima

Your Nissan Maxima has an electrically operated engine cooling fan. While the procedure to replace the engine fan on a Nissan Maxima is slightly more complicated than the same procedure on other vehicles, a novice can accomplish these steps in less than two hours with little more than a wrench and a screwdriver.

Instructions

1

Disconnect and isolate the negative battery cable on your Nissan Maxima to prevent the electric fan from switching on unexpectedly, then remove the radiator cap and loosen the drain plug in the bottom of the radiator. Have a clean container with a tight-fitting cover ready to catch the coolant.

2

Drain enough coolant to allow you to remove the upper radiator hose. Unscrew or unbolt the hose clamp, taking care to mark its exact location and orientation on the hose, then remove the upper radiator hose and set it aside.

3

Unplug the electrical connectors from the cooling fan. Most model years of this vehicle will have more than one connector; mark them with a piece of tape or pen so that it's obvious which connector goes to which plug.

4

Loosen and remove four retaining bolts that hold the fan against the radiator, unclip the fan housing (shroud) from the radiator, and lift it free of the engine compartment. Place the new fan assembly in the engine compartment, clip it in place, then firmly tighten the retaining bolts.

5

Reconnect the upper radiator hose and clamp it in place, taking care to position the clamp exactly according to the marks you made in Step 2. Plug the fan's electrical connectors back in.

6

Refill the engine cooling system with an appropriate mix of antifreeze and water, and bleed air from the system as necessary.

7

Replace the negative battery cable, then run your vehicle's engine up to normal operating temperature. Check for cooling leaks and make certain that the fan is operating properly.