Description: When your car radiator fans not working engine overheats quickly. To avoid engine overheating, you want to know behind the fault. Here I will discuss why the AC fan not working car, how to identify the actual reason, how to diagnose the car, and how to fix this issue, so let’s break down the topic.
What Does a Radiator Fan Do?
Cooling System Basics
The engine cooling fan plays a very critical role in your car, it helps to engine coolant become cool down to a specific temperature. The fan pulls the atmospheric air from the condenser and radiator to keep the engine coolant temperature low.
When Should the Radiator Fan Turn On?
Radiator fan is typically on except air conditioner when the coolant temperature reaches 208.4 degrees Fahrenheit, the fan automatically turns on slow speed. If you are on air conditioning same the radiator fan starts to rotate, in the engine cooling condition.
Signs Your Radiator Fan Is Not Working
Engine Overheating
If the radiator fan does not rotate engine overheats, and the temperature gauge on the car’s inside combination meter rises quickly, in that situation, immediately shut off the vehicle; do not run the engine If you run the engine, it damages parts and causes coolant came out reservior tank either leakage coming weak hose area.
Air Conditioning Not Cooling Properly
If your air conditioner suddenly flows warm air, you should check whether the radiator fans are working or off condition, and if off radiator fan have a malfunction. It may be a blown fuse or the fan has play due to the carbon brush inside the fan being fully worn out. If you are highway, you can hit the electronic cooling fan’s back side. If the fuse is ok, it will run after you can go nearest service centre and replace the AC fan.
Warning Lights on the Dashboard
If the car overheats engine light will come The trouble code is that the knock sensor has malfunctioned. And the coolant level light also comes on; it can indicate radiator fan-related issues, or the radiator fan is not working. In a digital display meter car heat symbol is blue if everything is ok, but if the engine overheats, this symbol changes to red. But the analog display has a mark; if it crosses the mark, stop the car immediately.
Common Reasons Why Radiator Fans Stop Working
Blown Fuse or Relay
Car electrical problem are the most common fault coming like fuse was blown, or fan relay was stuck, either radiator fan wiring have loose contact or cut. Inspect properly where the actual fault is fuse or relay, or wiring has loose contact, sometimes modern car Radiator fans not working due to the fan resistor being malfunctioning. In that case needs to be replaced the fam resistor.
Faulty Temperature Sensor
If the engine coolant temperature sensor has malfunctioned and is not sending data to the engine control unit properly, then the radiator fan will not rotate. In that case, make sure the power supply is coming while the air conditioner is on, because the air conditioner turns on same time the radiator fan turns on if all systems are ok.
Damaged Wiring or Connectors
If corrosion is coming in the coupler wiring pin, either have any loose contact in the joint connector side radiator fan is not working in that case. Check also ground connection is good and has no rust. If it has rust, clean it and reconnect. Always use electronic contact cleaner spray.
Broken Radiator Fan Motor
If the radiator fan motor’s carbon brush is worn out, the fan cannot be rotated, even power supply and ground conditions are ok. Also, check the radiator fan blade condition is bent, broken, or has any type of crack. If the radiator fan blade cracks or breaks, it cannot flow air inside the radiator properly, and the car becomes overheated after a long drive.
How to Diagnose the Problem in 3 Steps
Check the Fuse and Relay
Start with basic visual inspection on the fuse box, fuse, and relay, and check low-speed and high-speed relays. If the fuse was blown, replace it same ampere. Don’t use a high ampere fuse; it will damage the wiring. If the standard fuse is 30 ampere, use 30 ampere also, don’t use 40 ampere.
Test the Fan Motor
You can check the fan motor directly connected to the 12-volt battery and check the spin and balance. You can remove it from the car and check outside; you can easily see the pinpoint. Every point you can check easily while removing the fan.
Inspect the Temperature Sensor
Use a multimeter to check the temperature sensor resistance, coming or showing “0”. Another way is you connect the OBD (ON-BOARD DIAGNOSIS TOOL ) and check the standard temperature. If the temperature shows -40, that means the temperature sensor needs to be replaced.
DIY Fixes V/S When to Call a Mechanic
What You Can Fix at Home
You can check the radiator fan fuse, relay, and coupler. These basic items you can check at home. If found fuse is found blown, every car has a spare fuse and fuse puller available in the fuse box. You can remove the blown fuse and replace it with a new fuse same amperage.
When to Seek Professional Help
If you basic check done after you can go professional. Maybe the engine ECU may have a fault, or any complex wiring harness may have an issue. These parts’ failure is very rare, but if everything is ok need to check these items.
Preventing Future Radiator Fan Issues
Regular Coolant System Checks
Maintain the regular service and check that the coolant and engine oil levels are standard. Because these steps reduce your car radiator fan load. If the coolant level is low car engine heats up quickly, and the fan starts early, everything is connected to each other.
Inspect Electrical Components
Sometimes you can check the wiring coupler on the car while you drive in rainy weather or any kind of waterway, because if you check regular basis, faults will be found early. Sometimes the radiator fan makes a humming noise due to some dust going inside the motor, you can feel it while starting the car, and on the air conditioning car’s full body is vibration. In that case, you want to clean the radiator fan by use of air pressure.
FAQ ( Radiator Fans Not Working)
Q) Symptoms of radiator fan not working?
A) The main reason of radiator fan is not working your car’s AC is not cooling, and the engine overheats quickly. Maximum time fan blown fuse or, fan motor, or relay, but the maximum time the fuse was blown.
Q) How do I fix my radiator fan not working?
A) Yes, you can fix it if the fuse is blown; you can change to a spare fuse available in the fuse box.
Q) Radiator fan not working but not overheating?
A) If the radiator fan is not working vehicle overheats. If the place is cold takes time to heat up, but overheats after a few minutes when it reaches the desired temperature.
Q) Radiator fan not working when AC is on?
A) The fan motor fuse was blown, the relay had a short another reason fan motor was stuck.
Q) How long can I drive with radiator fan not working?
A) NO, drive in this situation, because you don’t know when the engine reaches the temperature and the engine becomes overheated.
Q) How to check if radiator fan is working?
A) Yes, you can check easily. You can start the car after turning on the AC switch, and then you see the radiator fan start to rotate. If off AC switch fan is off (in cold condition)
