What Sensor Controls The Radiator Fan?

On most modern cars, the cooling fan is controlled by the Engine Control Unit (ECU) which gets a signal from the coolant temperature sensor.

What causes a radiator fan to stop working?

Six things may prevent an electric cooling fan from coming on: Defective temperature switch, coolant sensor or other sensor . Engine thermostat is stuck OPEN (engine never gets hot enough to turn on the fan) Faulty fan relay.

Does the coolant temperature sensor control the radiator fan?

The sensor works by measuring the temperature that's being given off by the thermostat and/or the coolant itself. The temperature is then sent to the on-board control system. ... As the control system receives the temperature from the CTS, it may trigger the cooling fan to either shut off or turn on.

Can a bad temperature sensor cause fan not working?

A broken coolant temperature sensor can also make the radiator fan not work as well . When this sensor fails it may cause overheating in the process. ... This signal will make your engine think that it doesn't need extra cooling to be applied from the fans, and it will cause the radiator fan not to turn on when it has to.

What does the coolant temp sensor control?

A coolant temperature sensor (CTS) (also known as an ECT sensor or ECTS (engine coolant temperature sensor) is used to measure the temperature of the coolant/antifreeze mix in the cooling system , giving an indication of how much heat the engine is giving off.

Is there a fuse for the radiator fan?

The cooling fan relay is normally located in either the underhood fuse and relay center or mounted to the electric fan assembly behind the radiator. ... Keep area around the fan blade clear in order to avoid injury.

What to do if radiator fan is not working?

If the fan doesn't come on, you need to look for a blown fuse or breaker . In older cars, you might have a fusible link – this is wire within an insulated block of rubber. Try to grab the end and stretch it. If the wire stretches, the wire link could be broken and you'll need to replace it.

What will a bad temp sensor do?

If the coolant temperature sensor goes bad it can send a false signal to the computer and throw off the fuel and timing calculations . It is not uncommon for the coolant temperature sensor to fail and send a permanently cold signal to the computer. ... This will reduce fuel economy, and may hinder engine performance.

What temp should my electric fan turn on?

Your radiator fan should kick in at about 200 degrees Fahrenheit . If you notice your vehicle is overheating or at the very least running hotter than it normally does, listen for the fan to see if you can hear it.

Why is my car overheating but it has coolant in it?

In general, it's because something's wrong within the cooling system and heat isn't able to escape the engine compartment . The source of the issue could include a cooling system leak, faulty radiator fan, broken water pump, or clogged coolant hose.

Can you drive with a faulty coolant temperature sensor?

It is possible to drive a vehicle with a faulty coolant temperature sensor as the management system defaults to a static reading. A vehicle's coolant sensor is a critical component used by the engine management system. It directly affects, cooling and fueling of the engine and therefore affects how the engine performs.

How do I know if my engine coolant temperature sensor is bad?

1. Poor Fuel Economy. ...
2. Irregular Temperature Readings. ...
3. Black Smoke from Your Exhaust. ...
4. Your Engine is Overheating. ...
5. Your Check Engine Light is On.

What does a bad coolant temp sensor look like?

Specific signs are indicating bad coolant temp sensor like a change in the car's mileage , an illuminating check engine, a cloud of black smoke coming from the exhaust pipe, and warnings of engine overheating.

How can you tell if a radiator fan fuse is blown?

1. Cooling fans do not come on. The most common symptom of a faulty cooling fan motor are cooling fans that do not come on. ...
2. Vehicle overheating. Another symptom of a possible problem with the cooling or radiator fan motors is the vehicle overheating. ...
3. Blown fuse.

Should radiator fan turn on when AC is on?

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 .

How do you test a radiator fan relay?

1. The engine runs hot or overheats. ...
2. The cooling fans don't work. ...
3. The cooling fans keep running. ...
4. Warning lights. ...
5. Poor air conditioning performance. ...
6. Swapping Relays. ...
7. Measuring the Relay Coil's Resistance. ...
8. Listening for Noises.