What are the symptoms of a faulty car electric fan?

[HannahLee]

The symptoms of a faulty car electric fan are as follows: A damaged car electric fan can cause the engine radiator temperature to rise, leading to an increase in engine temperature and affecting engine operation. A faulty car electric fan can cause the engine radiator to crack, resulting in water leakage, obstructing the water circulation, and causing the engine temperature to rise, which affects vehicle driving. A damaged car electric fan can cause the engine coolant to splash out, and in severe cases, it may lead to engine seizure, causing engine damage. More information about the car electric fan is as follows: Working principle: The car electric fan is controlled by a thermostat. When the water temperature rises to the upper limit, the thermostat connects the power supply, and the fan starts working. When the water temperature drops to the lower limit, the thermostat cuts off the power supply, and the fan stops working. Working requirements: The electric fan motor draws a large current during operation, requiring high-quality wiring.

[Maximus]

The symptoms of a faulty car electric fan are quite noticeable. I remember one time when I was driving, the engine temperature warning light on the dashboard suddenly lit up, and the coolant temperature gauge shot straight to the red line—this usually happens because the fan isn't working to cool the engine. When the car was stopped, the hood felt scalding to the touch, and I could even hear a faint "gurgling" sound from the coolant boiling. If the fan is still spinning but malfunctioning, it might produce a buzzing noise, like the motor is stuck, or vibrate excessively, causing the car to shake noticeably at idle. At this point, you need to be careful, as engine overheating can lead to head gasket damage, which is expensive to repair. Even worse, if the fan completely fails in traffic congestion, it accelerates engine temperature rise. So, I recommend not delaying—pull over immediately to check if the fan is running. As a short-term solution, you can turn the air conditioning or heater to the highest setting to help dissipate heat, but it's best to drive straight to a repair shop. Regularly cleaning dust around the fan can reduce the risk of failure, especially during hot summer weather.

[SanBrayden]

I can share some experiences about symptoms of a faulty electric cooling fan. The most common is the fan not spinning at all, with engine temperature rising rapidly during short trips, especially noticeable at idle or low speeds when coolant temperature spikes. You may also hear abnormal noises like whining or clicking sounds when the fan attempts to start, indicating worn internal components or bearing failure. Additionally, increased vehicle vibration during fan operation can be felt through the steering wheel; sometimes it spins too slowly, reducing cooling efficiency and weakening AC performance. Potential causes include blown fuses, loose wiring connections, or motor aging. For DIY checks, unplug the fan connector and test voltage with a multimeter; regularly replacing old fan motors can prevent issues. Remember, unaddressed fan failures can severely damage engine compression ratio and shorten vehicle lifespan, so prompt diagnosis and repair are crucial when abnormalities occur.

[LaMaddox]

I'm most worried about the car's electric fan failing and causing engine overheating. Symptoms include the fan not starting when the engine is hot, the dashboard temperature warning light turning red; rapid temperature spikes at idle, even smelling coolant evaporation. The fan itself may be stuck and not rotating, or have delayed starts with screeching noises; excessive vibration while driving affects the driving experience. Such failures usually stem from circuit shorts, thermostat failure, or damaged blades. This increases the risk of engine seizure, with potentially high repair costs. Regularly keep the fan area clean to avoid debris clogging the radiator fins. If the air conditioning suddenly becomes less effective, it might also indicate an electric fan issue, so professional inspection is recommended.