I had the same problem with one of the fans two years ago. It will occasionally not start, but than, just touching it or helping it a bit it will start spinning normally.

As bizarre as this may sound, I discovered that that fan was binding on some flaking paint that came loose at several places around the inside perimeter of its shroud. I removed the flakes and that fan has been working perfectly ever since.

Before changing the fan, look for loose paint flakes (chunks), or some other obstruction on the inside of the fan shrouds.

And Arthur is right, at least on my car, these fans are removed from the back. The radiator, AC condenser, and several other components will need to come out first.

Phil

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'95 E300 Diesel, 264,000 Miles. [Sold it]