Should Car Fan Run When AC Is On?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Both radiator fans should always run

when the AC compressor is engaged

. To check the temperature at which the fan comes on, turn the A/C off and keep the engine running until it reaches normal operating temperature. Most fans should come on when the coolant reaches about 200 to 230 degrees.

Why does my radiator fan only work with AC on?

The most likely culprits are a

thermostatic switch

, fan resistor, temperature switch, low-speed or high-speed relay, or a wiring issue. … When the vehicle has the AC on, the engine needs extra help cooling so the ECU commands the fan to be on any time the AC is on.

Does AC turn on radiator fan?

When the AC compressor is activated,

it is actually expected that the radiator fan runs

. For instance, the radiator fan is needed when the temperature sensor of the cooling fluid in the lower tank reaches approximately 212F.

When should AC fan turn on?

Your HVAC fan should turn on and off with the rest of your heating and cooling system. It’s normal for the fan to kick on

a couple of minutes before heating starts

or to stay on for a couple of minutes after cooling stops, but your fan shouldn’t run for hours on its own.

Should I set a minimum fan runtime?

If you don’t want to go back and forth between runtimes in the settings, most recommend keeping the minimum fan runtime to run for

five to 20-minutes

, depending on the season and the climate you live in.

Why is AC running but not cooling?

If you’re experiencing AC not cooling while the system is powered on,

you could have a clogged or blocked coil

. Unfortunately, a wide variety of debris can find its way into this equipment, including grass, dirt, and other contaminants. This can result in a serious clog, which can lead to a system malfunction.

How do I know if my fan control module is bad?

  1. Cooling fans running for a long time. The cooling fans under the hood of your car are designed to keep the components of the system at a lower temperature. …
  2. Cooling fans not running at all. …
  3. Weakened air flow.

How do I know if my AC fan motor is bad?

  1. AC Fan Doesn’t Start. Even though you have the AC turned on, the fan does not start.
  2. AC Fan Doesn’t Stop. …
  3. Slow Rotating Blades. …
  4. Outside Fan Blades Are Still. …
  5. Rattling, Humming and Buzzing Noises. …
  6. AC Runs Intermittently. …
  7. No Cold Airflow.

How long should the AC fan run?

An Air Conditioner Should Run for

15-20 Minutes at

a Time. In a perfect situation, an air conditioner should run for 15-20 minutes at a time in mild temperatures. Any less than that and your AC could be too large for your home – more on that below.

How often should my fan run per hour?

Most systems should run

about 2-3 cycles per hour

. How long should the furnace or AC run in a given cycle? Typically 10-15 minutes in mild weather. The closer you get to the max design temperature in heating (0 Degrees) or cooling (90 Degrees) the longer the run cycle will be.

How do I fix my AC not blowing cold air?


Try cleaning your air conditioner’s filter and the coils

to see if improving the airflow fixes the problem. If there is ice buildup, you’ll need to run the unit with just the fan in order to melt it off. If that doesn’t get the unit blowing cold air again, it could be refrigerant levels are low (see below).

Should I turn my AC off if it’s not cooling?

If your ac is still not cooling there is one more thing you need to do. This is very important….

TURN IT OFF and call your HVAC service provider to assist you

. We always tell our customers to turn off an ac that is not cooling properly.

How do I reset my AC compressor?

  1. Shut it Off. First, turn off your AC before resetting the thermostat. …
  2. Get to the Circuit Breaker. So far, so good. …
  3. Wait 30 Seconds. After turning off the circuit breaker linked to the AC unit, wait for a full minute. …
  4. Turn it Back On.

Will a bad radiator fan cause AC not to work?

When fans aren’t properly functioning,

your condenser may not receive properly cooling

. Over time, this can cause your car to start emitting only hot air. The best way to check if the cooling fan is broken is through a visual inspection.

What tells the cooling fan to come on?


The engine temperature should trigger the fan to turn on

. It will also turn the fan off once the engine has cooled to under 200 degrees. You may have heard of a part called the radiator fan switch or temperature fan switch. This is linked to a thermostat and works much like your home’s HVAC system.

Rebecca Patel
Author
Rebecca Patel
Rebecca is a beauty and style expert with over 10 years of experience in the industry. She is a licensed esthetician and has worked with top brands in the beauty industry. Rebecca is passionate about helping people feel confident and beautiful in their own skin, and she uses her expertise to create informative and helpful content that educates readers on the latest trends and techniques in the beauty world.