Why do you need a radiator fan in a car?
To stop the engine from overheating, we take the help of coolants that flow through a radiator into the engine. The radiator’s job is to keep the coolant cool so that when it returns back into the engine, it is able to absorb more heat. A radiator fan is thus used to keep the temperature of the coolant in check. Thus, it has an important job.
What should I do if my radiator fan is not working?
A blown fuse is no big deal, and changing one does not cost a lot of money. If your car’s radiator fan is non-functional, check your car’s user manual and locate the fuse for the radiator fan controller or the fan. The fan itself often uses a big fuse of around 50A, while there might also be a separate small fuse to the fan control module.
When to troubleshoot an electric car cooling fan?
On a warm engine, the fan may come on even if the engine is not running. When working on a hot engine or an engine that is running, keep your hands and tools away from the fan blades and moving components. Troubleshooting a cooling fan that doesn’t work can be a relatively straightforward task at times.
What happens when a radiator in a car overheats?
Consequences Of Your Radiator Overheating. If the engine overheats, the first thing that will happen is a gasoline engine will start to detonate. The engine will ping and start to lose power under load. Consequently, the combination of heat and pressure exceed the octane rating of the fuel.
What causes a car radiator to overheat when not in motion?
The fan helps keeps the radiator cool when the vehicle is not in motion. The fan is hooked up to the radiator through a network of various wires that can become prone to corrosion over time, and the radiator can overheat if the fan isn’t providing adequate air circulation when at a stop or standstill if it gets hot enough.
To ensure optimal performance and lifespan, your engine must not overheat. Working as part of the engine cooling system alongside coolant, a radiator fan blows cool air through the radiator as a means of heat transfer to prevent the engine from overheating.
In older cars, this typically takes about 15-20 minutes for the engine to reach the right temperature. All you have to do is lift the engine hood and listen closely for the sound of the fan. The best of modern cars have very quiet engines and so, it may not be easy to figure out the sound while you are inside the car.
Can a car run if the radiator is not working?
Can I drive my car if the fan is not working? Yes, your car can still run without a radiator fan, but you never should. Your vehicle’s cooling system is crucial to the engine’s performance and lifespan. Every time your engine overheats, you’re causing tremendous damage to the precious engine.
Where is the relay on a radiator fan?
The fan relay is often located in the engine bay’s fuse box, but the best way is to check your repair manual to find where it is located. Testing a 4 pin relay is often very straightforward. Remove the relay and give 12 volts to pin 30 and 85. Ground pin 86 and check if there is voltage coming out from pin 87.
Is there a way to test a radiator fan?
You can test the electrical radiator fans by taking a wire from the car battery, unplug the radiator fan connector, and put 12v+ and ground into the connector. This is the fastest and easiest way to test your radiator fans. Because the radiator fan is often drawing so much power, there is often a relay that is powering the coolant fan.
Why is the radiator fan not working on my Subaru Forester?
If your Forester has a bad engine temp sensor the radiator fan won’t know to come on, because the ECU won’t know how hot the engine is. You’ll need to locate and test the engine temp sensor. Depending on the model year and engine, the location varies. If it does end up being this sensor, they are very affordable.
What to do if your radiator fan is not working?
The first thing that you would want to do is locate the fuse for your Forester’s radiator fan and make sure that it hasn’t blown. If it is blown, replacing the fuse will only solve the problem for a very limited period of time. Unless the wiring issue is fixed, the fuse will blow again. The wiring harness itself can go bad.
How can I tell if my Chevy Aveo radiator fan is bad?
You can test the voltage going from the fan relay to the fan itself. If it is getting 12+ volts, the fan should be coming on. But if it’s not, which means the fan has gone bad. This video from Ratchets and Wrenches is a phenomenal resource on how to properly diagnose a wiring problem.