03-04 cobra owners....fan Problems??? I've broke 2 in 5K miles

**Freakingstang** · 06-27-2010, 03:38 PM

Bought the cobra last july. Owned it 3 days approx 26,500 miles the factory electric fan locks up and car overheats. It blew the 50A fuse, fan blade ended up cracked. I believe this was the factory fan, as the previous owner said he never replaced it and he owned it from 5500 miles.

I price a ford fan and about schit my pants....completely broke from purchasing the car, I find Autozone sells Dorman fans with lifetime warrenty. I find that 179 is a little cheaper than 450. so I buy the cheapo fan.

Now fast forward to today. 4200 miles later...car starts to over heat, I pull off and shut if off, it bubbles over a little just like last time....Same scenario....Fan locked up, pop'd fuse and broke fan blade.

I've read on SVT, that some of the guys have problems at the 30K mark with the factory fans...others...not so much.

Anyone have any suggestions? I'm returning this hunk of schit and gettting my money back and thinking about either an aftermarket fan setup of going with a OEM FORD fan. I just don't want to replace them every 30K miles. Why am I having so many problems?

**wickedsnake03** · 06-27-2010, 04:54 PM

I just hit 26,000 on mine and the only real problems i have had where alternator failure 2 years ago. Replaced with a unit from jamie at start n charge. Then last year it ate a TOB retianer sleeve. It got replaced with the mcleod sleeve and all has been well.

I do read alot about fan failure though. Wonder If aftermarket would be the best way to go.

**speedracer** · 06-27-2010, 05:04 PM

Originally Posted by wickedsnake03

I just hit 26,000 on mine and the only real problems i have had where alternator failure 2 years ago. Replaced with a unit from jamie at start n charge. Then last year it ate a TOB retianer sleeve. It got replaced with the mcleod sleeve and all has been well.

I do read alot about fan failure though. Wonder If aftermarket would be the best way to go.

The TOB sleve has been my only problem to date, 28k

**wickedsnake03** · 06-27-2010, 05:09 PM

I seen a few people on svtperformance say that rock auto has great prices on fans. Might wanna check them out.

Or check into any possible electicle issue you might have and not know about that is casuing your problem.

**Shadowstealth** · 06-27-2010, 05:21 PM

you know whats funny.. either we all have real low mile cobras or ... some how have bad luck. someone just sent me a pm about there troubles... i hate this shit .... im so ready to get rid of the cobra..

**03 OW SVT** · 06-27-2010, 05:42 PM

I guess i should get ready to replace my fan. I have just over 29,000 miles on mine. I think i'll go with the Rock Auto fan also rather then paying 400 and some freakin dollars for the Ford brand.

**Freakingstang** · 06-27-2010, 10:05 PM

Well My replacement Fan was a Dorman. Last summer when the OEM fan went I searched on SVT and found over 100 cars that had fan failures before 30K miles.

Mine has 31K and change and the factory alternator is just barely holding on. Gonna change that while i have this apart and figure out what to do with the fan.

The whole reason I searched for 6 months for a low mile car, was so i wouldn't have these kinds of problems normally associated with higher milelage cars

**wickedsnake03** · 06-27-2010, 10:48 PM

I highly recommend for your alternater you give jaime a call at Start N Charge. I have had mine for 2 years now and not a single issue, and if you do have a issue he is right there for you. Search on svtperformance and you will see all the people running his.

**Freakingstang** · 06-28-2010, 12:18 AM

Originally Posted by wickedsnake03

I highly recommend for your alternater you give jaime a call at Start N Charge. I have had mine for 2 years now and not a single issue, and if you do have a issue he is right there for you. Search on svtperformance and you will see all the people running his.

Last I read, his shop burned down....

**wickedsnake03** · 06-28-2010, 12:46 AM

wow burned down huh. That sucks. I know he did alot to help the cobra guys out. I see nothing but problems with the PA units. Factory replacements work for some people but dont seem to hold up more thenn 2 years tops

**KeystoneJohnny** · 06-28-2010, 02:47 AM

Originally Posted by Shadowstealth

you know whats funny.. either we all have real low mile cobras or ... some how have bad luck. someone just sent me a pm about there troubles... i hate this shit .... im so ready to get rid of the cobra..

yeah that was me and my car has 52k on it and it was fine when I parked it and then that's when I have trouble with it, after I get it out. IDK You know unless your buying a 11' It's the best bang for the buck though. I know the crap gets annoying though. IDK

**Freakingstang** · 10-21-2012, 01:25 AM

Just an update... Returned that Dorman FAn from AutoZone and Bought a Ford one from Tousley ford. I think it was right around 269-280. The car has 40K on it now and haven't had anymore issues other than one ford replacement alternator failure.