Symptoms of a Faulty or Faulty Cooling Fan Relay
Common symptoms include engine overheating and non-working or constantly running cooling fans.
Most modern cars use electric cooling fans to help move air through the radiator so it can cool the engine. Most cooling fans use moderate to high current draw motors, so they are usually relay controlled. The cooling fan relay is the relay that controls the engine cooling fans. If the correct parameters are met, a temperature sensor or computer will activate a relay that will supply power to the fans. The relay will normally activate as soon as the vehicle temperature is detected to be approaching an excessively high temperature. Usually, a bad cooling fan relay causes several symptoms that may alert the driver to service.
1. Engine hot
One of the first symptoms usually associated with a failing or failing cooling fan relay is the engine overheating or overheating. If you notice that your engine is running at higher temperatures than usual, this may be a sign that the relay is not working properly. If the relay shorts out or fails, it will not be able to supply power to run the fans and keep the engine running at normal temperature. Abnormally high temperatures can also be caused by a variety of other problems, so it's a good idea to properly diagnose your vehicle to be sure there's a problem.
2. Cooling fans do not work
Cooling fans not working are another common sign of a potential problem with the cooling fan relay. If the relay fails, it will not be able to supply power to the fans, and as a result, they will not work. This can lead to overheating, especially when the car is stationary, when the car is not moving forward to allow air to pass through the radiator.
3. Cooling fans run continuously.
If the cooling fans are running all the time, this is another (less common) sign of a possible problem with the cooling fan relay. An internal short circuit of the relay can result in permanent power on, causing the fans to run continuously. Depending on the car's wiring diagram, this may cause them to stay on even when the car is turned off, draining the battery.
The cooling fan relay, in fact, acts as a switch for the engine cooling fans and, therefore, is an important electrical component of the vehicle's cooling system. For this reason, if you suspect that your cooling fan or relay may have a problem, take the car to a professional specialist, for example, one of AvtoTachki, for diagnostics. They will be able to inspect your vehicle and replace the cooling fan relay if necessary.
