Is it normal for my fan to run after I turn my car off?
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It’s normal for some vehicles to have a fan run for a few minutes after the car is shut off, generally to keep the engine cool. However, if the fan is running for an extended period, the fan itself can become damaged due to overuse.
If the cooling fans are staying on at all times, this is another (less common) symptom of a possible problem with the cooling fan relay. If the relay shorts internally, it may cause power to be permanently switched on, which will cause the fans to run at all times.
If the fan in your automobile continues to run even after you have shut off the engine of your vehicle, then the coolant in your car may be too low. The water pump is a potential source of leaks and when these leaks occur, your coolant reduces, and this may cause your fan to keep running.
Is your car fan supposed to run constantly?
In normal operation, no, the radiator fan doesn’t run all the time. The fan is hooked to a sensor that measures the coolant temperature in the radiator, and when the temperature gets a little on the high side, the sensor will (basically) send a signal that turns the fan on.
Is it normal for my fan to run after I turn my car off? – Related Questions
How do I know if my cooling fan relay is bad?
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.
What are the symptoms of a faulty cooling fan switch?
Common signs include engine overheating, the Check Engine Light coming on, and a broken or shorter signal wire.
Where is the relay switch for a radiator fan?
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.
How much is it to replace a cooling fan relay?
Damaged fan relay replacement – $60 to 70 including labor. Engine coolant temperature sensor replacement – ranges from $120 and $160 (dependent on the type of vehicle and model) Fan controller replacement – average cost is between $250 and $400 (dependent on the type of vehicle and model)
The cooling fan is also known as a radiator fan because it’s mounted directly to the radiator in some engine layout. Typically, the fan is positioned between the radiator and engine as it draws heat to the atmosphere. In front-wheel cars, the cooling fan used is an electrical component powered by the battery.
How do you test a fan relay on a car?
Can you drive 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.
When should the cooling fan come on?
Your radiator fan should kick in at about 200 degrees Fahrenheit. If you notice your vehicle is overheating or at the very least running hotter than it normally does, listen for the fan to see if you can hear it.
What sensor turns on the radiator fan?
On most modern cars, the cooling fan is controlled by the Engine Control Unit (ECU) which gets a signal from the coolant temperature sensor.
Does thermostat control radiator fan?
The thermostat found in the cooling system will control many of the electric fans. When a certain preset temperature has been reached by the car engine, the radiator fan will begin to cool the engine. The fan will turn off eventually if the temperature goes below the preset engine temperature.
What are the symptoms of a faulty temperature sensor?
What Signs May Signal Your Coolant Temperature Sensor May Be Failing?
Yes. Both the radiator and condenser cooling fan are expected to turn on the moment you switch on the air conditioning system. For instance, it is expected for the cooling fan to switch on when the engine carries loads or once it reaches the normal operating temperature.
Why does cooling fan come on when engine is cold?
The radiator fan Will run when the engine is cold if the climate control is switched on. There is a fan control unit above the radiator and this takes signals from two temp sender units in the cooling system (one in the bottom radiator hose and one on the engine I think) and activates the fan when required.
How do you test a radiator fan motor?
How to Test Radiator Fan with Car Battery
Find the cooling fan next to the radiator or use your car manual to locate it.
Unplug the connector.
Use jumper wires to power the motor directly by connecting it to the car battery.
If the motor spins it’s in good condition and the problem is either a blown fuse or bad relay.
Why does my radiator fan turn on and off?
Generally, the radiator fan turns on and off constantly because the engine is trying to maintain a specific temperature. When the engine gets too hot, the radiator fan comes on to cool it down. When the engine gets too cold, the radiator fan comes on to warm it up.
Why does my radiator fan only turn on with AC?
The most likely culprits are a thermostatic switch, fan resistor, temperature switch, low-speed or high-speed relay, or a wiring issue. If the vehicle overheats, care should be taken when driving to prevent further damage by overheating.