How to Change a 2003 Nissan Maxima Fan

When the cooling fans fail, save money and fix it yourself.

In years past, many cars came fitted with an engine cooling fan attached to the engine and driven by a belt. The 2003 Maxima's cooling fan is electric, and comes as an assembly along with the fan shroud, motors and air-conditioning condenser fan. When this fan goes bad, the vehicle may not overheat while driving, but extended stops do cause an overheating condition. Changing the fan in a 2003 Maxima repairs this problem.
Difficulty: Moderate
Instructions
Things You'll Need
Ratchet
Socket set
Drain pan
Phillips-head screwdriver
Flat-head screwdriver
Torque wrench
1-gallon 50/50 premixed antifreeze/coolant
Empty 1-gallon container
1

Open the Maxima's hood and disconnect the negative battery cable from the battery using a ratchet and socket.
2

Locate the upper radiator hose, the large rubber hose inserted in the top corner of the radiator. Place the drain pan under the car, directly below the upper radiator hose.
3

Loosen the metal clamp holding the radiator hose to the radiator using a Phillips-head screwdriver. Pull the hose slowly from the radiator. A slight twisting motion may help free the hose. Be prepared to direct the hose downward upon removal to direct the small amount of coolant in the hose into the drain pan.
4

Remove the air duct tube, the long plastic tube on the driver's side of the Maxima, by prying up on the clips at the front-end of the tube with a flat-head screwdriver. Once the heads come up, grab the heads of the clips and pull them out by hand. Grab the tube and pull it toward the front of the vehicle; observe it as it pulls away from the air filter box.
5

Remove the fan wiring harnesses from the rear of the fan motors by pushing the locking button and pulling the wiring away from the motors. Each of the two motors have one wiring harness plugged into it.
6

Loosen and remove the two bolts in the top of the fan assembly, using a ratchet and socket. Pull the fan assembly upward to remove it. Notice the bottom portion is not bolted in, but has two plastic tabs that insert into rubber mounts in the lower radiator support, the metal bar under the radiator.
7

Place the new fan assembly in the Maxima, and guide the fan assembly so that the two tabs at the base fully insert into the rubber mounts. Tighten the two upper bolts to 37 inch-pounds, using a torque wrench and a socket. Plug the two wiring harnesses, removed in Step 5, into the plugs on the rear of the new fans. Listen for the click to indicate they are locked into place.
8

Insert the upper radiator hose into the upper inlet of the radiator. Tighten the hose clamp using a Phillips-head screwdriver.
9

Push the air intake tube into the air box, and line the holes on the front of the tube up with the holes in the upper radiator support, the metal bar above the radiator. Press the clips into the holes until they click into place.
10

Reconnect the negative cable to the vehicle's battery using a ratchet and socket.
11

Open the Maxima's radiator cap and start the vehicle. Allow it to reach operating temperature, about halfway up the temperature gauge, then add 50/50 premixed antifreeze/coolant to the radiator until it is full. Close the radiator cap and turn the engine off. Close the Maxima's hood.
12

Pour the drained coolant into an empty 1-gallon container and dispose of it properly. Most auto parts stores dispose of old fluids free of charge.

Tips & Warnings

Coolant is highly toxic to small animals and children. Always dispose of it properly.