Is It Normal for the Fan Not to Turn On at 90°C Water Temperature?
2 Answers
It is abnormal for the fan not to turn on when the water temperature reaches 90°C, and it should be checked promptly. The reason the fan does not turn on at 90°C water temperature is due to a fan malfunction, which could be caused by a faulty thermal switch (the fan not receiving the command to operate) or a faulty water temperature sensor (the actual water temperature may not be 90°C). Use a computer to detect the real-time temperature and observe the temperature changes in the upper and lower radiator hoses. Steps to troubleshoot when the electronic fan does not turn on at 90°C engine water temperature: Check if the engine water temperature sensor is faulty. A faulty water temperature sensor can prevent the ECU from receiving the signal of high engine temperature. Check if the engine thermal switch is faulty. A faulty thermal switch can prevent the electronic fan from turning on. Check if the engine electronic fan is faulty. An internal short circuit in the electronic fan can directly cause it to stop working. Solutions when the fan does not turn on at 90°C water temperature: Check if the engine thermal switch is faulty. A faulty thermal switch can prevent the electronic fan from turning on. Check if the engine electronic fan is faulty. An internal short circuit in the electronic fan can directly cause it to stop working. Inspect the car's ECU (central computer board). The ECU is the brain of the car, and a faulty ECU can lead to various vehicle malfunctions.
I drive a taxi and spend every day on the road. I've seen plenty of cases where the fan doesn't turn on at 90°C. Normally, the fan should kick in between 85°C and 95°C to help cool the engine. If it doesn't turn on at 90°C, there's definitely a problem—maybe the fan motor is stuck or the temperature sensor is faulty. Last year, my own car had a similar issue: the coolant temperature warning light came on, but the fan didn't budge. I pulled over immediately and found out the fan relay was burnt out. After replacing the part, everything worked fine. Don't underestimate this issue—engine overheating can lead to a blown head gasket or worse, causing significant damage. Remember, once the temperature gauge goes past 90°C, the fan should start running. If it doesn't, get it checked right away—don't risk driving with it. Safety first—fix it before hitting the road again.