Car Electric Fan Troubleshooting
Car electric fans offer several benefits over the belt-driven variety. They provide cooling airflow at idle when your engine needs it the most, and they don’t drag down the engine horsepower and fuel economy that belt-driven fans do.
A good fan motor can be controlled with sensors and relays to come on at an optimal time, minimizing power draw. This helps your classic car’s battery last longer and avoid overheating problems.
Power
A cooling fan draws current and requires a good ground. If the battery is charged, and you still don’t get power to the fan motor, the wires car electric fan and/or the relay may be faulty. Check the relay for a loose connection and make sure the connector terminals are clean. Try switching relays to see if the problem goes away. If not, try replacing the fan motor. If you’re wiring a dual fan setup, use a 30 amp fuse on each relay to avoid blowing fuses or tripping breaker.
While mechanical fans are fine for stock or mildly modified street applications, they have some performance disadvantages – mostly because the engine expends a certain amount of power spinning the fan. Electric fans eliminate this parasitic horsepower loss, and they also tend to work more efficiently.
Electric fans have several other advantages over older belt-driven fans. They don’t require a clutch, and they can be turned on and off by the car computer. The PCM receives input from the coolant temperature sensor and ECT, and it determines when the fan should come on to move air through the radiator. This allows the fan to operate at optimum efficiency in any driving condition, while keeping your engine cool. You can also choose from a variety of blade designs to optimize the fan for your specific application, including straight, curved or paddle blades.
Noise
A car cooling fan can be loud. That’s because the fan needs to move air and cool down the engine to prevent overheating. But it shouldn’t be making so much noise that it becomes distracting or annoying. If you have to raise your voice when standing next to your car with the fan operating, there could be an issue.
Modern cars typically use an electric fan that starts once a specific temperature is reached, and then shuts off when it is no longer needed. This is different from older cars that used mechanical fans, and the electrical fan usually does not make noise at all.
If your car’s fan is turning on and off frequently while the vehicle is idling, there may be an issue with the sensor or control unit that tells it to operate. It could be giving the fan incorrect information, which causes it to turn on when it isn’t necessary and to run at maximum speed.
Another common issue is a bent fan blade. If one is positioned incorrectly, it can cause vibrations or contact with other components that produce a loud clicking noise. You can usually fix this by using a pair of pliers to straighten the fan blade. Lubricating the fan motor can also help quiet it down. Make sure the lubricant you choose is safe to use on electrical parts.
Durability
The cooling fan is a crucial component of your car’s engine. It keeps heat dissipation from the radiator at an optimal level so your engine doesn’t overheat, which can damage it and ruin your drive experience. The best way to achieve optimal cooling is with a modern electric fan. These fans use sensors and ECUs to control the speed they spin at based on your engine’s temperature, so they only run when you need them to.
The first step in adding an electric cooling fan to your vehicle is determining how it will fit under the hood. This includes deciding between puller or pusher style fans and whether you want to run one or two. You will also need to decide if you want a straight or curved blade design and if you want your fan to draw current via a battery, switch under the dash, or a high-tech electronic controller.
When you choose to go with an electric fan, it will require less maintenance and can withstand harsher conditions than a belt-driven fan. If you’re looking for a cooling fan that will keep up with the demands of your race track vehicle, a street rod or even a 4×4 off-road setup, look no further than an electric fan from Maradyne. This brand’s fans have been proven by several Nationwide and Cup Series teams to keep vehicles cool under the most demanding conditions.
Installation
Many hot rodders install a dual electric fan to replace their factory belt driven fans. This gives them a way to have more cooling at idle and low speeds when they are sitting stationary or driving slowly. It also allows them to run the engine at lower rpms which can help with gas mileage and reduce horsepower drag.
However, a car electric fan can add more load to the electrical system and potentially overwork it. The electrical current needed to operate the fan can exceed that of the alternator.
To avoid this problem, a wiring kit can be used to regulate the current drawn by the fans and make sure that the alternator can keep up. These kits use fuses, relays, and a sensor to switch the power to the fan(s). The relays are typically automotive Bosch car electric fan style. It is important to know how much current the relay and fuse are rated for before purchasing them.
Another way to do the wiring is to connect a relay to the fan power wires and allow the driver to switch the fans on and off with a toggle switch. This can be a good option for those who only want the fans to turn on when the engine is running. However, a more practical solution is to install a temperature sensor with a lower coolant temperature rating and connect that to one of the relays. This will ensure that the fan is only triggered on when the temperature is high enough.
