Why is the electric car fan not working but still able to charge?
4 Answers
Reasons why the electric car fan is not working: 1. The water temperature has not reached the required level: Most car radiator fans nowadays operate using electronic temperature control, so the fan will only start working normally when the internal water temperature reaches the required level. If the temperature is too low, the radiator fan will not rotate. Therefore, if the car radiator fan is not working, the first thing to check is whether the water temperature has reached the required level. 2. Issues with the temperature control switch: If there are no problems with the above aspects, then the temperature control switch should be checked. Sometimes faults can occur in this area, which can affect the operation of the car radiator fan, so it is important to inspect this as well.
I once encountered a situation where the fan in my electric vehicle wasn't spinning but the car could still charge. This could indicate a problem with the fan motor, such as it being stuck or burnt out, preventing it from functioning. Another common cause is a blown fuse controlling the fan, especially likely to occur when the fan overheats after driving. Alternatively, it could be a relay failure—the relay is responsible for switching the fan circuit on and off, and if it's broken, the fan won't start. Additionally, if the temperature sensor fails, the system won't detect battery overheating and thus won't activate the fan, even though cooling is necessary during both charging and driving. Loose or oxidized wiring connections, particularly common in older electric vehicles, could also be the culprit. A non-functioning fan can affect battery or air conditioning cooling, potentially leading to long-term battery damage or a stuffy cabin, so I promptly took it to a repair shop to have the faulty parts replaced. For a quick check, you can see if the fuse is blackened and try replacing it. Don't delay repairs to avoid issues during summer.
Last time I charged my electric car normally, but the fan stopped working, which is quite annoying for a daily driver. The fan is usually used to cool the battery and air conditioning system. If it doesn't work, the battery may quietly heat up while driving, but charging can still proceed. The reasons are mostly due to the fan motor being stuck or aging, and replacing a new motor will solve the problem. Or the fuse in the control circuit may have blown—just check and replace the corresponding fuse in the car's fuse box. Another possibility is a software bug in the vehicle; some electric cars have fan settings issues after updates. Additionally, the relay component is prone to wear, and if the contacts are poorly connected, the fan won't respond. Loose wiring connections are also minor issues but easily overlooked. Although the fan not working doesn't affect charging, it impacts safety, such as the air conditioning failing during long drives. I immediately scheduled a service and only felt safe driving after it was fixed. It's best not to DIY to avoid incorrect wiring worsening the fault.
While driving an electric car, I noticed the fan suddenly stopped working, but the car was charging normally. I consulted a mechanic and learned that usually, the issue lies with the fan motor or related circuits. The motor might be jammed or have a broken wire, or the fuse controlling it could be blown, or the relay contacts might be burnt out, preventing it from turning on. A faulty sensor could also misread the temperature status and prevent the fan from starting. These issues don't affect the core charging function, but lack of cooling can accelerate battery wear or impact the air conditioning. Replacing a fuse or motor isn't difficult and doesn't cost much. For prevention, regularly clean the fan blades to avoid dust buildup that could cause jamming. Don't wait until the fan completely fails before repairing it. Addressing the issue early helps maintain comfort inside the car, especially during long trips.
