QA

Question: What Happens If Your Radiator Fan Stops Working

What happens when a radiator fan stops working? It will cause a loud whirring noise and a stuck open thermostat (which will not allow the engine to reach the average operating temperature). A lousy radiator cooling fan could cause a blown circuit fuse, a malfunctioning relay, and engine overheating.

Can I drive car if radiator fan is not working?

As such, you should never drive your vehicle if the cooling fan isn’t working even though you can. If the radiator does not have cool air blowing on it constantly, it will overheat eventually, so you’d need the perfect combination of weather and traffic to drive effectively without a radiator fan.

What would cause a radiator fan to stop working?

The most common reasons a radiator fan is not working are luckily due to a blown fuse, bad relay, or a broken wire. It can also be caused by a faulty coolant temp sensor, low coolant level or the fan itself can be damaged.

How do I know if my radiator fan is bad?

These are the most common signs of a faulty radiator fan assembly in need of replacement: Engine Overheating. When the radiator fan isn’t functioning properly, it is not able to adequately cool down the car’s engine. Air Conditioner Function Diminished. Loud Noise Coming From Radiator Fan.

How long can you drive without a radiator fan?

No more than a mile or two. A bit more if it is cold outside, a bit less if it is 100F outside. Less with stop and go traffic, perhaps a bit more if you are at moderately high speeds, 40 to 45 mph, with no stops. Have the car towed.

How far can you drive without a fan?

Technically, as far as GM is concerned, as long as you are above 20 mph, you don’t need a fan. The ram air from driving into it provides enough cooling. Below 20 mph is a different story. One fan will probably get you by if you only hit stop signs.

How can you tell if a fan fuse is blown?

Look at the fuse wire. If there is a visible gap in the wire or a dark or metallic smear inside the glass then the fuse is blown and needs to be replaced.

How much does it cost to fix radiator fan?

As one of the more expensive car repairs needed (not including the replacement of a seized car engine, obviously), the replacement of the radiator coolant fan could incur about $128 to $162 in labor costs and around $465 in parts. So, total radiator fan replacement cost could be anywhere from $592 to $627.

How do you test a radiator fan?

How to Check a Radiator Fan Determine whether your radiator fan is manual or electric. To check an electric radiator fan, start the car and let it get up to the temperature where the fan normally kicks on. Use the volt meter to test if there is power to the wires. Normal voltage for a radiator fan is around 12 volts.

When should a radiator fan kick 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.

Can a radiator fan go bad?

The most common symptom that the radiator fan has gone bad is that it will stop working. Sometimes the motor burns up or fails. Other times, the relay stops working. Either way, you know there is an issue with the fan system if it is unable to run.

How can I check if my fan is working?

The fastest way to tell if your computer’s fan has stopped working is to visually inspect it. If it’s a desktop computer, you can usually see the fan rotating on the back of the case. If the fan is not moving, you must replace it immediately, before using your computer further.

Can I use laptop if fan is not working?

No, this is not safe. Maybe, just maybe, the CPU will protect itself from immediate death by thermal throttling or emergency shutdown. However, the fan in a laptop does not only cool the CPU, it also cools other components in the system.

Can a laptop work without a fan?

Generally, no. The fans will come on to circulate air inside the laptop and cool it down. If a laptop fan fails, then the heat could cause permanent damage to the electronics and ruin the laptop entirely.

Can a broken radiator fan cause overheating?

Engine overheating: A bad radiator fan can cause the engine to overheat, especially at low speeds. If your car starts overheating, pull off the road as quickly as you safely can and turn off the engine. An overheated engine can quickly get ruined and lead to expensive repair bills.

Can you start a car without a radiator?

It can absolutely be started without a radiator. You will not cause any damage as long as the engine does not overheat. If you don’t run it long enough for the engine to get too hot, it’s not an issue.

How much does a new car fan cost?

The replacement parts will cost you anywhere from $200 to $400. This includes parts and labor. The labor tends to be around the $80-$90 range for replacing the AC fan, but with some vehicles, it can cost you closer to $120. The price of parts varies based on what kind of car you have as well.

How much does it cost to replace a fan motor in a car?

“A new car blower motor costs about $50 to $100 for the part and $80 to $100 in labor. Add it up and you’re looking at a total charge of $130 to $200 for a new car blower motor.