Cooling Fan Motor

This procedure covers the removal and replacement of the cooling fan motor assembly on a 2022 Rivian EDV 500 electric delivery van, including draining coolant and accessing the motor compartment components.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Cooling fan motor assembly × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Cooling fan motor electrical connector seal × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Coolant hose clamps × 2 — Use OEM specification

Fluids

• EV Battery/Motor Coolant — 10 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake. Place wheel chocks behind rear wheels
2. Ensure vehicle has been powered off for at least 30 minutes and is fully cooled
3. Disconnect the 12-volt auxiliary battery located in the front compartment
4. Access the high voltage disconnect located in the battery pack service panel. Follow manufacturer lockout/tagout procedures
5. Use multimeter to verify zero voltage at the high voltage busbar connections
6. Remove front underbody splash shield to access cooling system components
7. Place drain pan under the coolant drain point on the cooling system reservoir

Procedure

1. 1

   Drain cooling system
   Slowly loosen the coolant reservoir cap to relieve system pressure. Remove cap completely. Locate the coolant drain valve on the bottom of the reservoir and attach drain hose to direct coolant into drain pan. Open drain valve and allow system to drain completely. This will take approximately 10-15 minutes as the system holds 10 quarts.
2. 2

   Remove front fascia access panel
   Remove the front fascia lower access panel by removing the retaining clips and fasteners. This provides access to the cooling fan assembly mounting area. Store all fasteners in a container for reinstallation.
3. 3

   Disconnect cooling fan electrical connector
   Locate the cooling fan motor electrical connector on the passenger side of the fan housing. Press the connector release tab and carefully disconnect the harness. Inspect the connector seal for damage and replace if torn or compressed.
4. 4

   Disconnect coolant lines
   Using appropriate pliers, release the spring-type hose clamps on the inlet and outlet coolant hoses connected to the cooling fan motor assembly. Have a small drain pan ready as residual coolant will drain. Remove both coolant hoses from the fan motor assembly and cap the open lines to prevent contamination.
5. 5

   Remove cooling fan shroud mounting bolts
   Remove the four mounting bolts securing the cooling fan assembly to the radiator shroud. Support the cooling fan assembly with one hand while removing the final bolt to prevent it from falling.
6. 6

   Remove cooling fan motor assembly
   Carefully maneuver the cooling fan motor assembly forward and down to clear the mounting points. The assembly weighs approximately 15 pounds. Guide the electrical harness through the access opening as you remove the assembly. Set aside on a clean work surface.
7. 7

   Inspect mounting points and connections
   Inspect the radiator shroud mounting points for damage or cracks. Check coolant line connection points for corrosion or damage. Clean any debris or old coolant residue from the mounting area using a clean cloth.
8. 8

   Install new cooling fan motor assembly
   Position the new cooling fan motor assembly into the mounting location, guiding the electrical harness through the access opening first. Align the mounting holes with the radiator shroud mounting points. Install all four mounting bolts and tighten in a cross pattern. Note: Torque specifications not provided in database - follow manufacturer service information.
9. 9

   Reconnect coolant lines
   Install new hose clamps onto the coolant hoses. Connect the inlet and outlet coolant hoses to the corresponding ports on the cooling fan motor assembly. Ensure hoses are fully seated on the barbed fittings. Position the new spring clamps over the connection points and compress into place using hose clamp pliers.
10. 10

    Reconnect electrical connector
    Connect the electrical harness to the cooling fan motor connector. Ensure the connector locks with an audible click. Gently tug on the connector to verify it is fully seated and locked.
11. 11

    Refill cooling system
    Close the coolant drain valve at the reservoir. Using a funnel, slowly add EV Battery/Motor Coolant to the reservoir. Fill to the MAX level marking. Allow coolant to settle for 2-3 minutes and top off as needed. The system holds 10 quarts total.
12. 12

    Reinstall underbody components
    Reinstall the front underbody splash shield and secure all fasteners. Reinstall the front fascia lower access panel, ensuring all clips and fasteners are properly seated.

Reassembly

1. Reconnect the high voltage system following manufacturer procedures and remove lockout/tagout devices
2. Reconnect the 12-volt auxiliary battery
3. Remove wheel chocks and lower vehicle if raised
4. Double-check all fasteners and connections are secure before proceeding to verification

Verification

• Power on the vehicle and check for any warning messages on the instrument cluster related to cooling system
• Navigate to vehicle diagnostics menu and verify cooling fan motor is communicating with the control module
• With vehicle in READY mode, access the service menu to command the cooling fan motor to operate at various speeds. Verify smooth operation with no unusual noise or vibration
• Inspect all coolant line connections for leaks while fan is operating and system is under pressure
• Check coolant level in reservoir after test operation and top off if needed to MAX level
• Perform a test drive and monitor coolant temperature readings to ensure proper thermal management
• After test drive, recheck coolant level when system has cooled and top off as necessary

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