sockuno

My 250K miles RX400H passenger side cooling fan started to make loud noises when it comes on. Weary of paying 200+ for a replacement Toyota/Lexus motor, I contemplated reusing the cooling fan motor from my 2004 Highlander V6 with 155k miles that recently totaled in a crash.

2006 Lexus RX400h fan motor on top and 2004 Toyota Highlander V6 fan motor at bottom.
Noticed they are practically identical in size, mounting points, and fan attachment point. The only differences are the wires are on opposite side and the plug are physically different.

So my plan was to cut the connector off the Highlander fan motor and spliced Lexus Rx400h fan motor connector to it. But I was curious and decided to open the motor to see if I can just simply swap the wires over.

RX400H Cooling fan motor
The motor inside were thick with black dust. The brushes were worn down to nothing. No wonder that it failed. But the great fortune was that the wires and plug were removable and can be mounted to the other side.

Highlander cooling fan motor
The Highlander cooling fan motor was in much better shape. The brushed were at least 50% their life span left. All that I needed to do was swapping out the RX400h wires and plug to the opposite side of the Highlander fan motor. Installed it back in the vehicle and the fans were quiet once again.
Hope this help other members with the same issue.

MattRX

Awesome post! Thanks for proving it works! This will come in handy I'm sure for many other people who will need these fans but can only find Highlanders at their junkyard