What are the effects of a malfunctioning car cooling fan on the vehicle?
2 Answers
Car radiator damage can have the following effects: 1. Increased temperature in the coolant reservoir: This leads to a rise in engine temperature, affecting engine operation. 2. Engine radiator cracking: This can cause coolant leakage, obstructing the water circulation system and resulting in elevated engine temperature, which impacts vehicle performance. 3. Splashing of coolant: In severe cases, it may lead to engine seizure and damage. Below are the reasons for radiator failure: 1. Clogged air filter: The air filter's function is to prevent external dust from entering the vehicle. Over time, the air filter can accumulate dirt, develop odors, or even become blocked. When the air filter is clogged with dust and debris, it significantly reduces the airflow of the air conditioning system. 2. Faulty fan relay: If the coolant temperature meets the required level but the cooling fan still does not operate, this could indicate a malfunction in the cooling fan relay. Relay failure is typically caused by poor electrical contact in the wiring. 3. Malfunctioning thermostat switch: Most vehicles use electronically controlled cooling fans, which operate only when the coolant reaches the specified temperature. If the thermostat switch is faulty, it can cause the engine temperature to rise, preventing the cooling fan from receiving power and resulting in non-operation. Additionally, excessively low coolant temperature can also cause the cooling fan to stop functioning.
A broken cooling fan can cause serious issues, as I experienced once while driving. That time, stuck in traffic on the highway, the temperature gauge suddenly shot up to the red line, and smoke started coming from under the hood. The fan is supposed to cool the system down, but when it stopped, the coolant got dangerously hot. An overheated engine can damage the cylinders or even cause a blown head gasket, leading to repairs costing thousands. The problem is worse in traffic—without the fan, cooling is slow, and the temperature rises in minutes. You also have to worry about electronic sensors burning out, adding extra costs. I rolled down the windows to help cool it down temporarily, but it's best to call a tow truck for repairs. Now during maintenance, I always check if the fan switch is working properly.