What happens when an engine cooling fan fails?
The engine cooling fan only runs when needed to help cool the engine. So, A engine cooling fan failure; or a failure of the fan relay or control circuit is bad news; because it can allow the engine to overheat. The engine coolant sensor or a separate engine temperature switch is used to monitor engine temperature.
What are the symptoms of a bad cooling fan relay?
1. Engine running hot One of the first symptoms commonly associated with a bad or failing cooling fan relay is an engine that runs hot or overheats. If you notice that your engine is running at higher temperatures than normal, that may be a sign that the relay is not functioning properly.
When do you turn on the cooling fan?
Once the coolant temperature sensor detects that the engine temperature has exceeded acceptable levels, the cooling fans will be activated to keep the engine cool. Many vehicles come equipped with cooling fans that operate on more than one speed setting.
Why do you need a cooling fan in a car?
Virtually all modern vehicles built today use electric cooling fans to help pull air through the radiator to keep the engine cool. Once the coolant temperature sensor detects that the engine temperature has exceeded acceptable levels, the cooling fans will be activated to keep the engine cool.
When does the engine cooling fan come on and off?
The fan will then cycle on and off as needed to maintain the proper coolant temperature. So, The fan runs mostly at idle or low speed when the engine is at normal temperature. Most fans should come on when the coolant reaches about 200 to 230 degrees.
1. Engine running hot One of the first symptoms commonly associated with a bad or failing cooling fan relay is an engine that runs hot or overheats. If you notice that your engine is running at higher temperatures than normal, that may be a sign that the relay is not functioning properly.
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.
Why are my cooling fans running at all times?
3. Cooling fans stay on at all times. If the cooling fans are staying on at all times, this is another (less common) symptom of a possible problem with the cooling fan relay. If the relay shorts internally, it may cause power to be permanently switched on, which will cause the fans to run at all times.