Asked by: France Schwindenhammer
home and garden indoor environmental quality

How do radiator cooling fans work?

Last Updated: 8th June, 2020

27
A radiator fan moves cooler air through radiator to lower coolant temperature and exchanges heat from the engine. When an engine is running, it produces heat, and that heat dissipates so that the engine does not become too hot and overheat.

Click to see full answer.

Also to know is, how do cooling fans work?

The engine cooling fan is designed to move air through the radiator when the vehicle is at slower speeds or stopped. This air flow removes heat from the coolant created by the engine using the radiator as a conductor. An engine cooling fan is temperature controlled to only run when needed.

why is my radiator fan not coming on? ELECTRIC COOLING FAN PROBLEMS Six things may prevent an electric cooling fan from coming on: Defective temperature switch, coolant sensor or other sensor. Engine thermostat is stuck OPEN (engine never gets hot enough to turn on the fan) Defective fan control module.

Hereof, should both radiator fans be on?

cooling fans The answer to your question is yes both fans will run when your at 230 degrees, if you have the parking lights on and your at 212 degrees one fan will come on, and when you have the air conditioning on you have one fan on as well.

Can a bad thermostat cause radiator fan not to work?

If the thermostat is stuck open (allowing coolant to flow) it can cause the engine to run cooler than normal so obviously the fan wouldn't come on..but not like the engine/coolant can be running too hot and the thermostat somehow effects the sensor reading or operation of the fan.

Related Question Answers

Ilargi Brinkert

Professional

Where is the cooling fan sensor?

The cooling fan relay is normally located in either the underhood fuse and relay center or mounted to the electric fan assembly behind the radiator.

Junquera Allendorf

Professional

Does the coolant temp sensor control the fan?

The sensor works by measuring the temperature that's being given off by the thermostat and/or the coolant itself. The temperature is then sent to the on-board control system. As the control system receives the temperature from the CTS, it may trigger the cooling fan to either shut off or turn on.

Jasmin Dole

Explainer

Should radiator fan run when AC is on?

Both radiator fans should always run when the AC compressor is engaged. Both radiator fans should always run when the coolant temperature sensor in the bottom tank of the radiator reaches about 212*F.

Leon Paco

Explainer

Does radiator fan affect AC?

Yes, a broken radiator fan can cause the air conditiong to stop working. The AC system depends upon being able to dissipate heat into the engine coolant. You really need to have the fan replaced, or at least, have a diagnostic check to see what is causing the fan to stop working.

Abdenacer Nasretdinov

Explainer

Does the coolant temperature sensor control the fan?

The cooling fan is turned off and on as needed by the engine's control computer based upon information from the coolant temperature sensor. A faulty coolant temperature sensor may result in a fan not being properly used, which may cause the engine to overheat.

Yiqun Vendramin

Pundit

Do fans make a room hotter?

Do Fans Actually Make You Hotter? Some people say fans actually add more heat to a room. The important part about a fan is that it moves the air, which speeds up evaporative cooling on your skin as it dries up sweat. A fan doesn't drop the temperature in the room, it drops the temperature of your skin.

Manol Liebernickel

Pundit

How do I know if my cooling fan relay is bad?

Symptoms of a Bad or Failing 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.
  2. Cooling fans do not function. Non-functional cooling fans are another common symptom of a potential problem with the cooling fan relay.
  3. Cooling fans stay on at all times.

Salih Sebestik

Pundit

Does the radiator fan have a fuse?

A radiator fan is necessary to keep your car cool. The fuses inside of the radiator fan must be in good working order to make sure that the engine is able to stay cool. Without these components your car overheats.

Loree Duerkob

Pundit

How long does it take for the cooling fan to turn on?

if you had the heater on, fan may never come on. Heater control valve closed, turn headlights on, hold idle to 1500 rpm, wait 15-20 minutes for fan to come on. when fan goes off, open the heater valve and wait for fan to come on again, approx another 10 minutes.

Karem Jeltukhin

Pundit

How much is a cooling fan relay?

So, when the cooling fan relay stops working, the coolant can get too hot, and the car can overheat. To get your cooling fan relay replaced, you will pay, on average, $80-$160, depending on the type of car you have and the mechanic's fees. The labor should cost around $70, while parts should run you $10-$50.

Shamim Jager

Teacher

What are the two radiator fans for?

The cooling fan in the engine compartment should turn on to pull air through the radiator and A/C condenser. On many vehicles, there may be two fans: a main cooling fan for the radiator, and a second fan for the condenser. Both fans should come on when the A/C is on.

Roosevelt Gabarros

Teacher

Do radiator fans always spin?

This unit spins when the engine is running, and it always spins at the same rate as the engine. The faster the engine is running the faster the fan will spin. If you find that your vehicle is not cooling off properly, the radiator fan might be the culprit. You can replace the fan with a new unit.

Michale Krestel

Teacher

Why do cars have two radiator fans?

A lot of drivers' vehicles will actually have two radiator fans. One, both or neither may be running at any given time depending on the conditions. When you are cruising at highway speeds, the air rushing over the radiator and around the engine will help control the heat.

Valerii Tourneur

Reviewer

How do I know if my coolant temperature sensor is bad?

Signs of a bad Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor
  1. Poor Mileage.
  2. Check Engine Light Activates.
  3. Black Smoke from the Exhaust pipe.
  4. Engine Overheats.
  5. Poor Idling.
  6. Do not Use Tap Water to Refill Radiator.
  7. Fix Oil Leaks and Gasket Immediately.
  8. Check for Coolant Leaks.

Katherina Herenchun

Reviewer

What happen if radiator fan not working?

If the sensor isn't working, your fan won't come on because it won't know that the temperature is hot enough to require activation, which can frequently lead to overheating. The sensor is usually located in the car thermostat cover. To check it, disconnect the wires from the sensor and touch them together.

Xiuhong Masustegi

Supporter

Can you drive a car without a radiator fan?

Yes, you can drive your car without a radiator fan, but you never should. Your vehicle's cooling system is crucial to its performance, and every time your engine overheats, you cause damage.

Liisa Lampre

Supporter

What causes a fan to stop working?

Check the Fan Fuse
Like the circuit breakers in your house, these fuses are designed to break the electrical connection when too much electricity causes your fan to overheat. When the fuse melts, it breaks the connection and cuts power to the fan. Check the cord and the inside of your fan for this fuse.

Irea Sertal

Supporter

How much does it cost to fix a radiator fan?

The average cost for a radiator fan motor replacement is between $634 and $789. Labor costs are estimated between $102 and $130 while parts are priced between $532 and $659. Estimate does not include taxes and fees.

Kintuillang Maderal

Beginner

How do I fix my radiator fan?

Most manufactured radiators come with an electric fan which is easy to replace or repair if needed.
  1. Step 1 - Allow Your Car to Cool.
  2. Step 2 - Remove the Fan.
  3. Step 3 - Clean the Fan.
  4. Step 4 - Check Your Fuses.
  5. Step 5 - Re-attach the Fan.

Co-Authored By:

EveryThingWhat Staff Editor

8

8th June, 2020

29

87% of readers found this page helpful.

4.7/5

Click a star to add your vote

Similar Asks
Trending