What are the reasons for the car radiator fan not spinning?

2 Answers
Hailey
07/25/25 2:43pm
There are several reasons why a car radiator fan may not spin, including whether the coolant temperature has reached the required level, a faulty relay, or issues with the temperature control switch. Here are the detailed explanations: 1. Whether the coolant temperature has reached the required level: Most modern car radiator fans operate based on electronic temperature control, meaning the fan will only start spinning when the engine coolant reaches the specified temperature. Therefore, if your car's radiator fan is not spinning, the first thing to check is whether the coolant temperature has met the requirement. 2. Faulty relay: If the coolant temperature is appropriate but the radiator fan still does not work, the issue might lie with the fan's relay. A malfunctioning relay can prevent the radiator fan from operating. 3. Issues with the temperature control switch: If neither of the above issues is present, then the temperature control switch should be inspected. Sometimes, faults in this component can also affect the operation of the car's radiator fan, so it's important to check this as well.
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GenesisAnn
08/11/25 9:11pm
I've been driving old cars for decades and have encountered the issue of the radiator fan not spinning a few times. It's mostly caused by a blown fuse or a faulty fan motor. The fuse is located in the box in the engine compartment—just lift the lid to see it; if it's blown, it'll appear blackened. If the fan motor isn't working, it could be due to seized bearings or a short circuit in the coil, especially more prone to issues during high summer temperatures. Aging of the thermostat switch is another reason—it fails to send the signal when it should, so the fan doesn't start. Loose or corroded wiring connections can also interrupt the power supply. The biggest concern is engine overheating; if the fan doesn't spin under high temperatures, it may lead to water pump leaks or cylinder head gasket failure. If you notice poor air conditioning cooling while driving, it's a warning sign—best to pull over and check or replace the fuse. If that doesn't work, head to a repair shop immediately.
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