Car Radiator Heating Up? 5 Radiator Fan Problems that Yo Need to Know

We can hardly imagine life without cars. As much as we depend on them, we should realize that much harmony and symbiosis goes inside the car machinery to keep it going. Since the car mechanism works by converting one type of energy to another, heat is an evident result. It is the radiator fan that keeps the radiator from heating itself up and wearing out. In fact, heat is also one of the biggest reasons for car engines to stop. However, there can be times when you can face radiator fan problems. The fan could simply stop working or work inefficiently. In fact, there are a number of such problems that you may experience. The great news is that they are easy to fix and you need not spend a fortune on them.

How You Can be Certain about Radiator Fan Not Working

It is very easy to assume that your car’s radiator fan is defunct. But, the only surest way to check it is by actually looking for the fan’s sound. 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. Make sure that you don’t skip this check to ensure that the radiator fan is not working.

Now, let’s proceed to see what these 5 problems are:

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5 Common Radiator Fan Problems

Here are 5 common problems that may be ailing your car’s radiator fan, making it defunct or inefficient:

1. A Bad Fuse

It is a very common problem cause that results into radiator fan failure. The fuse may burn off or simply fall off. You will, though, have to consult the owner’s manual to find out where exactly you can find the fuse, but once you have, it is an easy task. You will need to replace the fuse of the radiator fan in case it is not working or is absent.

Remember, if anything electrical in your car doesn’t work, your first checkpoint is the fuse.

2. Dead Wires

If you see the engine heating but the radiator fan isn’t, the fan wires could be the culprit. Simply unplug both the wires, negative as well as positive. The standard direct current they must put out is 12v (approx.). Take a voltmeter and check for the presence of current. If there is none in either or both, you will need to replacement.

You will be able to locate the fan relay under the hood. Check for current from relay till the fan. That is where the current needs to flow. If there is voltage present there, a fault in the fan is the reason for radiator fan not working. It is then, the fan that you will need to replace.

3. Broke Fan Clutch

The fan clutch is responsible for the attached the radiator fan to the engine and makes it work. If this clutch goes broke, the fan won’t work. It the usual wear and tear over the years that may cause the springs in the clutch to corrode or even burn out. If you cannot find any other radiator fan problems, the clutch is most likely the cause.

The detailed process of how to diagnose an overheating problem (Radiator Fan not working)

4. Inadequate Coolant Level

Inadequate coolant level in the engine can also cause fan failure. Simply look at the coolant reservoir and check if the level is up to the requisite maximum mark. If not, simply fill it up to the mark and you’ll be good to go.

This is, is fact one of the handiest maintenance tips that help you keep the engine as well as the cooling/heating system in great shape.

5. Defunct Temperature Sensor

Temperature sensor is the mechanism that decides when the radiator fan must kick into action. It does so by reading the temperature of the cooling system. In case this sensor is out of order, the fan won’t be able to start working. You are likely to find this sensor in the thermostat cover. You can try disconnecting the wires from and reconnecting them to the sensor, odds are that it’ll work. If not, you will have to have it replaced.