What are the symptoms of a bad car fan relay?
3 Answers
Relay damage can cause the low-speed fan to stop working, leading to the engine coolant boiling over. Car Fan: The car fan is generally used to cool the radiator. The fan's operation drives air flow, which helps lower the water temperature. However, the water temperature should not be too low—engine temperature that is too low is also not ideal. Additionally, components like the thermostat and water pump work together, so cooling only begins when a certain temperature is reached. Car Air Conditioning: Generally includes a refrigeration unit, heating unit, and ventilation system. This integrated setup makes efficient use of the limited space inside the car, with a simple structure and easy operation, making it a popular modern car air conditioning system internationally.
The car fan relay is broken. As someone who frequently repairs cars myself, the most common symptom I see is the fan not starting at all. The engine temperature rises rapidly, the water temperature gauge jumps into the red zone, and the warning light comes on; the problem is even worse when the air conditioning is on in summer. If the fan doesn't work, the entire cooling system fails, and prolonged operation can easily damage the cylinder gasket or cylinder head. The relay controls the fan switch, and once it short-circuits or burns out, the fan may get stuck in a state of either constantly running or not moving at all. At this point, after parking, open the engine hood and check the relay box for any signs of burning; simply replacing a relay can solve the problem, costing no more than a hundred yuan, but timely action is needed to avoid engine failure caused by overheating.
As someone who pays close attention to details while driving, the most obvious sign of a faulty fan relay is when the fan suddenly stops working! The engine becomes abnormally hot, and the temperature warning light on the dashboard frequently flashes, especially during traffic jams or high-speed driving, as the cooling system can't keep up, which can easily lead to a breakdown. Actually, the relay is a small component used to control the fan's power supply; if it fails, the fan malfunctions, either making a rattling noise when running or not working at all. Over time, this can trigger coolant boiling or engine failure. I recommend having the mechanic check the relay module during regular maintenance, because once it fails, the repair is simple and low-cost, but it's crucial for driving safety.
