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When should my cooling fan come on?
To check the temperature at which the fan comes on, turn the A/C off and keep the engine running until it reaches normal operating temperature. Most fans should come on when the coolant reaches about 200 to 230 degrees.
Is it normal for car fan to come on?
Engines operate at their most efficient when they’re hot but not too hot. The fan turns on when you’ve stopped driving because no more cooling air is flowing into the engine bay. Once the temperature has dropped again (as it will do because the engine has stopped running), the fan should cut out.
Why does my radiator fan not turn on?
If the fan doesn’t come on, you need to look for a blown fuse or breaker. In older cars, you might have a fusible link – this is wire within an insulated block of rubber. Try to grab the end and stretch it. If the wire stretches, the wire link could be broken and you’ll need to replace it.
What tells the cooling fan to come on?
The engine temperature should trigger the fan to turn on. It will also turn the fan off once the engine has cooled to under 200 degrees. You may have heard of a part called the radiator fan switch or temperature fan switch. This is linked to a thermostat and works much like your home’s HVAC system.
Can I drive my car if the fan is not working?
Yes, technically your engine does not need a cooling fan to operate. If the radiator does not have cool air blowing on it constantly, it will overheat eventually, so you’d need the perfect combination of weather and traffic to drive effectively without a radiator fan.
How can you tell if your thermostat is stuck closed?
If it is not flowing, wait until your engine warms up. The coolant should warm to the right temperature and begin to flow after 10 to 20 minutes. If it does not start to flow, but the temperature gauge on your dashboard rises, your thermostat is stuck closed.
What are the symptoms of a faulty cooling fan switch?
Bad Cooling Fan Relay Symptoms
- The engine runs hot or overheats.
- The cooling fans don’t work.
- The cooling fans keep running.
- Warning lights.
- Poor air conditioning performance.
- Swapping Relays.
- Measuring the Relay Coil’s Resistance.
- Listening for Noises.
How long does it take for a car cooling fan to run?
But, on a normal 70–80 degree day you should hear the fan run, I would guess, after about 15 to 20 minutes of idling from a cold start. When the electric cooling fan operates is purely a function of the setting of the temperature switch used to control power to the fan.
How often should I change the coolant in my fan motor?
To keep this part in good working condition, the coolant should be changed every 25,000 to 40,000 miles. While having the mechanic change the coolant, they can inspect for any leaks or imperfections that signal your fan motor will be going out soon.
Why does my car fan come on too soon?
The trigger is the thermostat in the radiator of your vehicle. It is what sends the signal for the fan. Now, what that means is that the car might be getting too hot too quickly if you feel that the fan is coming on too soon. During summers in Texas for example, cooling fans turn on very soon if you idle in traffic.
When does a radiator fan turn on and off?
Time Frame. Temperature will often determine the time that a radiator fan starts up. A temperature-sensitive switch functions to turn the fan on and off periodically. Radiator fans are designed to start when the temperature of the engine coolant reaches around 200 degrees Fahrenheit.