

You also want to make sure the coolant level is good. To fix a radiator fan that won’t start, you should begin by checking the fuses. As a quick test, however, you can check with a multimeter if power is coming to the radiator fan. Measuring the wires with a multimeter is often not very effective because you have to stress test the wires to see if they work. Also, check the contacts on the relay and the control unit. Check the connection plugs for signs of corrosion. Check the wires going to the radiator fan from the controller or relay. If the radiator fan does not work even though your car is overheating, there may be wiring issues or a bad connection. You can often also open up the relay and check for any bad soldering or corrosion. Locate the relay and check for any visual damage on the outside. This can cause the control module to break after a while due to corrosion or other damage. This control module is often installed in the engine compartment, exposed to heat and dust. Bad Fan Controller ModuleĪs discussed earlier, some cars have a separate control module specifically for the radiator fan control.
RADIATOR CHECK HOW TO
READ MORE: How to Test an Automotive Relay at Home (5 Easy Steps) 6. It is even better to connect pin 87 to something that draws a lot of currents, like the radiator fan, for example. Ground pin 86 and check for voltage coming out of pin 87. Remove the relay and supply 12 volts to pins 30 and 85. Testing a 4-pin relay is often very simple.
RADIATOR CHECK MANUAL
The fan relay is often located in the engine compartment fuse box, but the best way is to check your repair manual to find out where it is located. Of course, this relay can get damaged, causing the radiator fan not to start. Faulty Fan Relayīecause the radiator fan often draws so much current, there is a relay that powers the radiator fan. RELATED: 5 Symptoms of a Bad Radiator Fan (& Replacement Cost) 5. Be careful with your hands when the radiator fans start. This is the fastest and easiest way to test your radiator fans. You can test the electric radiator fans by taking a lead from the car battery, unplugging the radiator fan connector and taking a fused 12v+ wire and ground wire into the connector. The radiator fans have electric motors inside them that can wear out after a few years. When your radiator fan is not working, it can actually be due to faulty radiator fans. RELATED: Low Engine Coolant Level? (Causes & Consequences) 4. If your engine seizes due to overheating of coolant, it will destroy your engine and leave you with a very expensive repair cost, and is therefore something you want to be careful about. If you fail to do so, you could cause your engine to overheat, which could lead to a seized engine if you are unlucky. If the coolant level is low, you need to top up the coolant reservoir. If your coolant level is low, there is a chance it is pushing air into the cooling system, and the coolant temperature sensor will not read the coolant temperature correctly.

READ MORE: 8 Symptoms of a Bad Coolant Temp Sensor (& Replacement Cost) 3. Some cars use separate engine coolant temperature sensors for the radiator fan and the engine control unit. If this coolant temperature sensor is broken and won’t show the correct engine temperature, the control unit or fan control unit will not know when to start the radiator fan. In both cases, the controllers use a temperature sensor to know when to start the radiator fan. Either your fan control is integrated into the motor control unit, or you have a separate fan control module. There are two types of systems in different car models. Read further down in the article for diagnosis. Remember that if the fan fuse has blown – there may be a problem with the cables or the radiator fan. The fan itself often uses a large fuse of around 50A, while there may also be a separate small fuse for the fan control module. If your car’s radiator fan is not working, check your car’s owner’s manual and find the fuse for the radiator fan controller or the fan. This is what we call a blown fuse.Ī broken fuse is no big deal, and replacing one doesn’t cost a lot of money. If there is an electrical surge going toward a piece of electronic equipment, the fuse cuts off the power supply to that particular piece of equipment and saves it from destruction. Blown FuseĪ fuse handles almost everything electrical in a car. Here is a more detailed list of the most common causes of a radiator fan not coming on: 1. While these are some of the reasons, the list is not exhaustive. It can also be caused by a faulty coolant temp sensor, low coolant level or the fan itself can be damaged. The most common causes of why a radiator fan is not working are a blown fuse, a bad relay, or a broken wire. Conclusion What Can Cause A Radiator Fan To Stop Working?
