Radiator fan fuse keeps blowing

[shazapple]

I noticed that my car was overheating at low speeds. I also noticed the radiator fans weren't turning on. The fuse in the cabin for the radiator fans was blown. I replaced it with another and it blew again.

What is the most likely culprit? I figure one of the fan motors is dead or there is a short somewhere. Are there any tests I can do, any resistances I should know (motor)?

The only work done recently was the alternator. I first noticed it when I was driving along a bumpy and dusty road this weekend.

[shazapple]

Bump!

[ProdriveDreams]

turn on the A/C with the blower motor on, car does not have to be running, both fans should come on. check harnesses close to bottom of the shroud. could also be a relay if neither work.

[TRUBLU]

actually my first test for this instance as it is usually the fans that are the culprit, is to unplug the fans from their pig tails and put the fuse in. Does the fuse still blow? Issue is obviously not the fans....next step, put a light bulb on the pigtails and get the engine heated up, does the light bulb come on? Yes, replace the fans. No, keep searching!....start with the relay next. I don't think it is the relay at all though...NORMALLY if it's the relay, the fans will

a) Never come on

or

b) always be on regardless of key position.

[shazapple]

Only one fan comes on if I turn on the AC (passenger side)

I hooked both of them up to a ammeter and they both read 8 amps. The fuse doesn't blow right away, so Im going to drive around with a new fuse and both unplugged to see if it is a electrical short

[oskar_subaru]

still watch out, my sister was driving my outback the other day, the fan (only has one) died in traffic and she didin´t notice the tempeture rising.
now the car has water in the oil and bubles in the radiator. :cry:

[Monkhouse]

You are hereby banned from fast food drive throughs until you get this fixed. I had a similar problem a few years ago, even just a few minutes of no movement would make the temperature jump near the red. I had to plan alternate routes to get places just to avoid heavy traffic.