What's the Reason for the Car Cooling Fan Not Working?
3 Answers
Car radiator fan not working reasons: Water temperature issue: Most car radiator fans nowadays operate with electronic temperature control, so the fan usually starts running normally only when the car's internal water temperature reaches the required level. If the temperature is too low, the radiator fan won't turn. Therefore, if the car radiator fan is not working, check whether the water temperature meets the requirement. Relay malfunction: If the water temperature is appropriate but the car radiator fan still doesn't work, the issue might be with the fan's relay. If the relay malfunctions, the car's radiator fan won't operate. Thermostat switch problem: If neither of the above issues is present, inspect the thermostat switch. Sometimes, the thermostat switch can develop faults, which can also affect the operation of the car radiator fan.
Last time I had my car repaired, I encountered a cooling fan failure, and there are quite a few common causes. First, check the fuse—during hot weather, the fan working overtime can easily blow that tiny piece in the fuse box. If the fuse is fine, it might be a stuck relay; that thing controls the current flow, and when it ages, the contacts can stick, causing the fan to just stop working. There could also be issues with the fan motor itself, like rusted bearings seizing up or a short circuit in the coils—it might hum but not spin, so you’ll need to open it up and check for corroded wiring connections. Additionally, a faulty temperature control switch in the AC system can cause command failures, especially in older cars where sensors get sluggish and misread temperatures. If the fan refuses to spin when the AC is on, pull over and check immediately—don’t wait until the engine overheats and starts smoking. This affects the cooling system, and ignoring it could even lead to engine seizure.
I've driven a few cars with weak air conditioning, and the reasons for the fan suddenly stopping depend on the specific situation. The most common issue is a burnt-out fan motor, where the motor coils overheat or the bearings wear out and can't turn—you can tell by manually spinning the fan blade and feeling it jam. Another frequent problem is faulty relays, especially in humid weather when the contacts oxidize; if you hear a clicking sound but the fan doesn't respond, it's usually the relay acting up. Aging or broken wiring harnesses are also common culprits, like rodents chewing wires or rainwater seeping into connectors—just last month, I helped a friend diagnose a cracked insulation sleeve causing a short circuit. Some cars have design flaws where insufficient AC pressure can force the fan to stop, so it's worth checking if the refrigerant level is low. In short, if the fan stops working, don't push through—pull over, turn off the AC, use the heater to assist with cooling, and get it to a professional shop ASAP for a multimeter test to ensure circuit safety.
