Just aborted a trip because the temp gage pegged going up a steep hill. Not the first steep hill of the day, so dunno. But I'm guessing it might be the fan clutch since the engine stays cool on flat, level and 65. But then I got caught up in a state ag inspection line and while waiting, the AC quit on me. Thought maybe it would start up once I got cruising etc, but no such luck. Even on the cool downhills the AC stayed off.

So problem #1, maybe a fan clutch. Got one coming tomorrow -- hard to install? They're loaning me a 36mm fan wrench.

Problem #2, no idea. Anyone have troubleshooting smarts for an AC that suddenly shuts down?

 

Rental fan wrench just spreads and slips. Nothing's easy.

 

Take a brass rod and use it as a drift to smack the nut in the direction of loose. You want a sharp impact as opposed to a hard one.

Usually cracks it loose.

 

Thanx, I'll consider that Plan B. Plan A is to drive around to shops this morning to see if anyone has the proper tools. Even if they don't have time to change the fan clutch for me, perhaps I can get them to just break it loose and I'll bring it home and change it.

 

So Plan A sorta worked. I got in a fan drive from NAPA and found a big-rig shop with the proper tools. But it wasn't the right fan drive. No wires. And since the feds closed our local Dodge dealer, I had to order it.

I have only an older shop manual which describes how to test the fan by blocking the radiator with plastic and when the engine gets over 200 the fan is supposed to roar. Can someone with a 3rd gen shop manual tell me if the test on the 2006's is the same, or how is the fan drive tested now?