The cooling fan control module in your vehicle is located
at the front left of the engine compartment next to the radiator
.
Where is the cooling fan sensor located?
The Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor can be located in a few places, depending on the vehicle and its manufacturer. It is most often located close to the thermostat of the cooling system or inside of it. The cooling system is located
beneath the air intake pipe and behind the right cylinder
.
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.
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.
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.
What happens when the coolant temperature sensor goes bad?
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.
How do I know if my coolant temp sensor is bad?
- Poor Fuel Economy. …
- Irregular Temperature Readings. …
- Black Smoke from Your Exhaust. …
- Your Engine is Overheating. …
- Your Check Engine Light is On.
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 I know if my cooling fan relay is bad?
- The engine runs hot or overheats. …
- The cooling fans don't work. …
- The cooling fans keep running. …
- Warning lights. …
- Poor air conditioning performance. …
- Swapping Relays. …
- Measuring the Relay Coil's Resistance. …
- Listening for Noises.
Why does my radiator fan not turn on?
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.
Can a bad thermostat cause radiator fan not to work?
Broken Thermostat
Thermostats are known to go bad and cause all sorts of cooling issues. … If this thermostat doesn't open when the engine reaches the working temperature, the coolant will stay inside the engine block and the engine
will start to overheat
. This will result in the radiator fan not working.
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.
Why is my radiator fan always on?
Cooling fans stay on at all times
If the cooling fans are staying on at all times, this is another (less common) symptom of a possible problem with the cooling fan relay. If the relay shorts internally, it may cause power to be permanently switched on, which will cause the fans to run at all times.
Can you drive with a bad coolant 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.
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.
How does a radiator shroud keep the engine from overheating?
From this position, the radiator shroud
can channel air flow through the fan blades and prevent air from escaping to the sides of the radiator
. This action can help prevent your engine from overheating when your vehicle must sit in place for extended periods of time.
