At what temperature does the BMW fan start working?
4 Answers
The fan will start rotating when the temperature reaches 98°C. The car radiator fan is automatically activated and cannot be manually controlled. It does not start at low temperatures, and operates at two speed levels for medium and high temperatures. Generally, the medium speed is automatically activated at 95°C, and the high speed is activated at 105°C. Below is the relevant information: 1. Radiator Fan: The radiator fan, or cooling fan, is controlled by a thermal switch on the radiator. When the coolant inside the radiator reaches a certain temperature, the thermal switch activates the radiator fan. When the coolant temperature rises further, the thermal switch increases the fan speed. The radiator fan automatically turns off when the coolant temperature drops below a certain level. 2. Fan Speed: When the coolant temperature reaches 95°C, the fan starts and operates at approximately 1600 RPM. When the temperature reaches 105°C, the fan speed increases to about 2400 RPM to enhance cooling efficiency.
The fan in a BMW usually starts working when the engine temperature reaches around 90 degrees. It's controlled by the coolant temperature sensor, specifically between 85 to 95 degrees, depending on the model year of your car. I remember one time my car's fan was slow to activate, causing the coolant temperature to spike and nearly damaging the engine. So, always keep an eye on the temperature gauge on the dashboard—if it hits the red zone, stop immediately. In summer heat, the fan runs more frequently. If it delays starting, it might be due to low coolant levels or a sensor issue. Early checks can prevent major repairs. Don’t underestimate this small component—it’s crucial for engine longevity.
I've driven several BMWs before, and the fan usually kicks in at around 90 degrees, but it actually depends on the situation. For example, in traffic jams or when going uphill, the engine heats up faster, so the fan starts earlier. Once in winter, the fan didn't start, and the water temperature shot up. It turned out to be a blown fuse, which was replaced to fix the issue. Don't overlook this during daily driving—when the fan is working normally, it makes a buzzing sound, and the engine hood gets quite hot, so be careful not to get burned. It's recommended to clean the radiator fins during each maintenance session. A stable fan operation ensures engine durability, and don't forget to test the sensor performance during repairs.
The BMW fan activation point is around 90 degrees Celsius, with a few degrees variation depending on the model. I've seen many BMW fan issues at the repair shop, and the check is simple: when the temperature gauge shows high temperature, the fan should be running; otherwise, it might be a faulty relay or a short circuit in the wiring. If the fan doesn't work, the engine can easily overheat and be ruined. Replacing a new fan only costs a few hundred dollars, but waiting until it completely fails will be more expensive. Pay attention to the sound of the fan while driving, especially in hot weather and city traffic jams. A quick fan start indicates the system is functioning properly.
