Do you want to clear your doubts about the fan that doesn’t turn off? So you are in the right place. In today’s article, I will explain how to solve this problem and much more about this piece.
The fan is another one of those important parts for the functioning of the car, which need special attention. The main function of the fan is to cool the radiator preventing the car from overheating, like the engine boiled, for example. So if the fan doesn’t turn off something wrong could be happening.
For this, follow the article we prepared on the subject!
When should the fan turn on
The first thing to identify a problem is to know what the correct operation is. As explained above, the fan has the function of preventing the engine from overheating. It does this by ensuring the vehicle is cooled when it is in traffic or after being turned off, so it can stay on for up to 10 minutes after you turn off the car.
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If the fan does not turn off, it must be taken care of immediately, as serious damage to the car may occur. Keep reading and I explain these possible problems better.
What happens when the fan does not turn off?
Among the problems of the fan not turning off are the damages due to unnecessary maintenance of the car engine. Those who prevent themselves and carry out frequent revisions, avoid unnecessary expenses but avoid changing parts that are still working well.
Fan maintenance is just as important as the alternator belt, for example, which is responsible for transmitting power from one component to another inside the car’s engine. In addition, she is primarily responsible for the work of the alternator, the part that has the function of generating the energy stored in the car battery.
When the fan doesn’t turn off, the car can stop working instantly, just like when the alternator belt has problems.
Returning to talking about the problems that may be occurring when the fan does not turn off, knowing some important points about this helps in solving this case.
Electronic component problem
The main hypothesis when the fan does not turn off is that there is a problem with the load passing directly to the part and activating it. This issue may indicate a problem with the fan’s electronics, which are driving the fan incorrectly.
Temperature sensor problem
Another problem hypothesis for when the fan does not turn off is related to the temperature of the vehicle. The temperature sensor is a car component that determines when the radiator fan turns on by reading the temperature of the cooling system.
If for some reason the sensor is not working properly, the fan will not start or, if it works, it will be turned on directly. In this case, the fan does not turn off because there is no correct information about the temperature, leading again to a probable overheating of the engine.
There is a test that can be done to help if you notice that the fan does not turn off. First, locate the sensor which is usually located on the car thermostat cover. To start the test, disconnect the sensor wires and touch them together. If this procedure starts the fan, the sensor is faulty and will need to be replaced.
What happens when the fan does not turn on
You’ve just seen hypotheses of problems that could be occurring when the fan doesn’t turn off, but what about when it doesn’t turn on at all?
What keeps the radiator fan connected to the engine is the effective assembly of the circuit. This is what makes the engine start and the car run. If this circuit burns out or has some kind of failure, it will need to be replaced as soon as possible.
Therefore, the first thing to do when the electrical part of the car does not work is to check the fuse. If you have trouble identifying where your car’s fuses are, consult your owner’s manual. After identifying the fan fuses, check that they are intact. If not, replace them immediately to solve the problem.
It is also important to know that there are springs inside the fan clutch that can wear out or corrode over time, especially if preventive maintenance is not performed. This can cause the fan not to turn off or not turn on.
If by the time you take the part to a mechanic, the entire rest appears to be fine, then the fan clutch is the most likely cause of radiator fan failure. Leaving the fan working incorrectly will damage the car.
How to know if there is a problem with the radiator fan
Some people who are a little more laymen on the subject of “car”, can be easily deceived because of noises that the vehicle is emitting. Therefore, carry out a thorough analysis of the sounds emitted by the car, to be aware and convinced of the defect that the part may be presenting, either because the fan does not turn off or that it does not even turn on.
To begin the inspection, lift the hood and listen closely. The fan may be on, but since the motors make sounds, even if they are low, it is quite possible that you are not hearing the fan.
In this case, start the car, put it idle, and leave it like that until the fan starts and this is noticeable. During this process, be aware of any changes in noise, noise, or different performance as this could be the reason the fan does not turn off.
When is it time to perform a fan technical analysis?
This type of analysis cannot be done by just anyone, as it requires specific equipment to take measurements, but it can be a good indication of what to ask your mechanic. If you notice that the fan does not turn off or that the engine is heating up, carefully analyze the wires that make up the part.
Start by unplugging the wires. At this point, it will be possible to identify that there are two power wires, the positive and the negative. The correct thing is that they are delivering about 12 volts of direct current.
To do this analysis, use a voltmeter connected to DC 20V and identify if the current is present. If not, it is necessary to check the fan wires and relay to understand if a replacement is necessary.
In case you don’t already know this part: the fan relay is under the hood of the car. If there is voltage from the relay and it is being routed to the fan, it is likely that it needs to be replaced so the fan will not turn off.
Avoid unforeseen events: quote your insurance
Have you ever thought if a problem occurs in your car and you don’t have insurance with 24-hour assistance? What if you have your car stolen, stolen, or have an accident that results in a total loss? All of these are events that may be covered by insurance.
