8 Causes of the radiator fan not working
If we talk about radiator fans, we will find at least three models of radiator cooling fans. Its conventional models, viscous coupling models, and electric models. Although the model is different, the function is the same. The radiator fan only serves to speed up the cooling process of the coolant in the radiator.
Yes, this radiator fan will absorb the air in front of the radiator so the air can flow into the radiator grille to speed up the process of releasing heat from the coolant. That way, the coolant water temperature can be cooler before it flows back into the engine.
When the radiator fan is off, the cooling process that occurs in the radiator will be disrupted. The hot coolant water from the engine cannot release heat quickly. The overall coolant water temperature will continue to rise. As a result, the engine will quickly overheat, which will lead to the car breaking down with expensive car repair costs.
So what causes the radiator fan not to work? To find out the cause of a dead radiator fan, you have to pay attention to the types of radiator cooling fan drivers themselves. Each radiator fan model has different handling. Well, below are eight causes of the radiator fan not working that we know in general.
1. Broken fan belt
A broken fan belt is a common cause of bad radiator fans in conventional radiator cooling fans and viscous couplings. The fan belt is the link and drives from the engine to the fan that will rotate the radiator fan.
This fan belt is connected to various other engine components in some types of vehicles, such as the alternator or power steering pump. When the fan belt breaks, the radiator fan will lose its driving force, so the radiator fan turns off and cannot rotate. So, when the fan belt breaks, the steering wheel will feel heavy and light up the battery indicator light.
2. Damaged viscous fan
Viscous fans are generally placed in the center of the radiator fan blades. When the viscous fan is broken/damaged, the radiator fan does not rotate in rhythm with the engine speed. A broken or damaged viscous fan is often the cause of the radiator fan turning off and not working.
3. Radiator fan fuse blown
The next reason the radiator fan is not working is because of a blown radiator fan fuse. A fuse on the radiator fan indicates that the radiator fan used is an electric model.
The fuse serves as a safety to prevent excessive electric current from entering the circuit. When the electric current flowing in the fuse is excessive, the fuse will be broken.
When the fan fuse blows, it's a good idea to check the entire fan circuit first. The goal is to avoid short to ground (short circuits) that occur, such as a fan motor that burns out, the cable peels off and touches the ground, or other things.
When the fuse blows, the flow of electricity to the radiator fan motor will stop and cause the radiator fan to turn off.
4. The radiator fan cable/connector is broken
The next cause of the radiator fan not working is a broken radiator fan cable/connector. A broken fan cable/connector will cause the electric current used to rotate the fan to stop. As a result, the fan does not want to rotate.
The causes of the connector or fan cable breaking are many. It could be by the socket is damaged, bitten by a mouse, and various other things. Therefore be sure to check the cables and sockets that are connected to the radiator fan carefully.
Read also:5. Short/damaged radiator fan motor
The next cause of the radiator fan not working is the radiator fan motor is short or damaged. When the radiator fan motor is short, it is generally indicated by blown a fuse for the radiator fan.
Even so, damage to the fan motor can also occur due to other things. Because this radiator fan is short and damaged, then automatically, the radiator fan will not rotate according to the engine's needs.
6. Faulty fan controller unit
The next thing that can cause the radiator fan not to work is a faulty fan controller unit. Yes, many vehicles use a fan controller unit as a rotation control unit.
This fan controller unit is separate from the Engine Control Module (ECM) and is often placed close to the radiator fan housing. When the fan controller unit is damaged, it automatically turns off the radiator fan and cannot rotate properly.
7. Bad coolant temperature sensor
The next cause of the radiator fan turning off and not working is a bad coolant temperature sensor. The coolant temperature sensor is a component that signals the ECM about the temperature in the cooling system.
When the coolant signal indicates a hot temperature, the ECM will instruct the radiator fan to rotate and cool the coolant water in the radiator. When the coolant temperature sensor is damaged, the car radiator fan will turn off and not work. At the same time, a check engine light will appear on the dashboard.
8. Faulty/damage refrigerant pressure sensor
For vehicles that are not equipped with an extra fan AC and only rely on one radiator fan, generally, the process of controlling the radiator fan is also associated with the refrigerant pressure sensor.
The principle used in this refrigerant is the same as the coolant temperature sensor. So, when the refrigerant pressure sensor is problematic/damaged, it will affect the radiator fan's rotation and become one of the causes of the radiator fan not working.