2001 SE cooling fan problem.
 

New member here. My 2001 SE has been almost trouble free during the years I have owned it. But the other day, I heard a rattling noise under the hood. I thought at first the air conditioner compresser was going. (It has been whining for some time now.) It was not the compressor. It turns out its the cooling fan. The fan comes on when the compressor kicks in, just like it should. But the fan blade is loose on the shaft. The motor runs, but the blade just rattles away loose. I have the fan out of the car, but I can find no way to tighten the nut that holds the blade onto the shaft. If I turn the nut the motor shaft turns too. I can't seem to find any way to hold the motor shaft in place while turning the blade nut. I can get a new fan easy enough, but I don't want to spend the money for a new one if the old fan blade can be tightened up. If you know a way to lock the motor shaft in place while tightening up the nut let me know. TIA. Jim

I was thinking the round shaft had one flat side on it so that you just had to hold the fan, unless it was worn out inside. Maybe consider taking the fan the rest of the way off and analyze the condition of it then. If it is wallowed out inside, I hate to suggest JB Weld, but it is a viable option in lieu of replacing the entire assembly.

Thanks Sixshooter for your reply. I do have the fan out, sitting in my lap. The fan blade is loose on the shaft and will spin without the motor shaft turning. There is a bolt on the front of the motor shaft that appears to hold the fan blade on but looks loose, like it could be tightened up to make it work. That's the only part of the motor shaft visible, the very end inside the bolt. Of course, the bolt is semi rusted onto the motor shaft and will not tighten unless the motor shaft can be held steady. The fan blade itself covers every bit of the motor shaft plus part of the motor. I'm thinking maybe it needs a special tool or something to tighten. Any help is appreciated. Jim

Is there a hole in the motor to allow some sort of a pin to be inserted to hold the rotation?

First thing I looked for. There is a hole, but is apparently a drain hole or something like that. Doesn't help to insert anything into the hole. Visual examination of the hole shows that nothing turns or moves when the motor shaft is turned by hand. Anyway, appreciate all the replies. I've ordered a new fan and should be here in a couple of days. Jim