Why is my radiator fan not spinning in my Subaru?

Why the Radiator Fan is Not Spinning in Your Subaru
The radiator fan in your Subaru is a crucial component of the cooling system, and when it’s not working, it can lead to potential damage to the engine. There are several potential reasons why the radiator fan may not be spinning:
Common Causes:
The most common causes of a radiator fan not working include a blown fuse, a bad relay, a broken wire, a faulty coolant temperature sensor, low coolant level, or damage to the fan itself.
Coolant Temperature Sensor:
The radiator fan is controlled by a coolant temperature sensor. If this sensor is faulty, it can lead to the fan not functioning properly.
Testing and Troubleshooting:
Some Subaru owners have reported issues with their radiator fans not turning on even after performing maintenance tasks such as replacing radiator hoses and ensuring proper coolant levels. In some cases, the fans may spin but then stop, leading to concerns about potential thermostat or aftermarket parts issues.
Potential Solutions:
If you’re experiencing issues with your Subaru’s radiator fan, it may be necessary to check the relays, fuses, and coolant temperature sensor. Additionally, ensuring proper coolant levels and inspecting the condition of the fan itself may be necessary to address the problem .
Professional Assistance:
If troubleshooting these common causes does not resolve the issue, seeking professional assistance from a qualified mechanic or technician may be necessary to diagnose and address the problem effectively.
Understanding the potential causes and troubleshooting steps for a non-spinning radiator fan in your Subaru can help you address the issue promptly and prevent potential damage to your vehicle’s engine.

Should car radiator fan always spin?

In normal operation, no, the radiator fan doesn’t run all the time. The fan is hooked to a sensor that measures the coolant temperature in the radiator, and when the temperature gets a little on the high side, the sensor will (basically) send a signal that turns the fan on.

What can cause a radiator fan not to spin?

Reasons Behind A Malfunctioning Radiator Fan

• Blown Fuse. All the electrical equipment has a fuse to cut off the input to the system to prevent it from malfunctioning.
• Coolant Temperature Sensor.
• Wiring Problem.
• Low Coolant Levels.
• Faulty Radiator Fan.
• Faulty Fan Relay.
• Fan Controller Module.

How do I know if my fan relay is blown?

If your car has these symptoms, you should check the fan relay:

1. your engine overheats;
2. the fans don’t start;
3. your air conditioner does not work well or does not work at all;
4. the fan doesn’t turn off.

What sensor turns on the radiator fan?

Yes, the coolant temperature sensor is an important component in controlling the radiator fan in many modern vehicles. The coolant temperature sensor monitors the temperature of the engine coolant and sends this information to the engine control module (ECM), which uses it to determine when to turn on the radiator fan.

When should radiator fan turn on?

between 200 and 230 degrees Fahrenheit
In most vehicles, the radiator fan is programmed to turn on when the engine coolant reaches a temperature between 200 and 230 degrees Fahrenheit (93 to 110 degrees Celsius). However, some vehicles may have different temperature thresholds for the radiator fan to activate.

What activates the radiator fan?

A cooling fan in a car is activated by two means – either by the thermostat in the car’s cooling system, or by an electronic system that senses when the coolant is too hot and switched on the fan through an electrical relay switch.

What tells the radiator fan to turn on?

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

Should my radiator fan be on while driving?

While you’re driving down the road, the air flowing thru the radiators will keep the engine cool. If the cooling fans aren’t running will your idling and stuck in traffic, yes the engine will run hotter than normal and overheat.

What makes the radiator fan spin?

The fan turns on when the temperature of the coolant reaches a predetermined temperature. The thermostat does not know if the car is moving or if air is flowing through the radiator, it just knows that when the coolant temp reaches a predetermined temperature it then sends a signal to turn on the fan.

Why is my radiator fan not engaging?

It could be a problem with the fan motor, temperature sensor, fan control relay, or wiring. The Check Engine Light might come on. With modern cars, a DTC will be triggered that illuminates the light on the dash when it exceeds normal operating temperatures. It might be accompanied by a message on the cluster too.