Let’s imagine we park our vehicles and then turn them off after arriving at our destinations. However, we recognize that the car fan running after turned off.
This situation is not rare, it mostly happens to many models of vehicles, but many people keep confused and worried.
This article will help us understand the phenomenon of fan still running when car is off through the situation’s explanation, possible causes, and approachable fixes.
Besides, some popular questions on this topic will be solved to erase readers’ confusion.
What Does It Mean A Fan Still Running When The Car Is Off?
It’s completely normal when a fan runs after car turned off for a few minutes. This phenomenon is not an error of vehicles. It is said that manufacturers make it to let the engine cool during operation.
This is typical in many automobiles, like Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, or BMW. Frequently, the radiator fans can run for three to five minutes.
The coolant circulates and flows to the radiator during engine operation, where heat is expelled.
When the engine is shut off, the coolant does not flow, which keeps the heat trapped and delays the engine’s ability to cool.
Therefore, even after the engine has been turned off, fans should run for a couple of minutes to aid in cooling the engine.
Nevertheless, it will be a problem if the fans keep running for a lengthy period. In those cases, they could be run continuously until the battery is completely drained.
Causes And Fixes For Car Fan Won’t Turn Off
Multiple components can affect the fans’ working status. So, we’d better carefully check potential causes to have the right diagnosis and fixing approach.
The below list is common grounds leading to vehicle fans won’t turn off.
The Car’s Coolant Level
A possible cause is that the coolant level in our cars is too low. Sometimes, the water pump has the potential to leak.
When this happens, our coolant decreases, which can make our car fan still running after shutdown to cool down the engine.
The Temperature Sensors
There is a temperature sensor to help the system control engine heat well. It is typically placed close to the engine thermostat.
The sensor measures the thermostat or coolant release temperature. The control system then receives the temperature.
The car’s computer will use the operating temperature data to continue operating or modify how the engine works. Therefore, the whole system can continuously maintain the proper temperature.
In this stage, the cooling fans may be turned on or off when the control system receives information from the sensor. For example, it could signal the opening of the gas recirculation.
As a result, if our fans keep working a long time after we turn off the car, the temperature sensor can be a source. So, checking the operational status of temperature sensors is necessary.
Radiator
Another potential source of the issue in our cars is the radiator. If our radiator is damaged, the vehicle’s fans might not stop spinning.
Radiator cracks or radiator hoses can cause the roots. In many cases, the car’s upper and lower radiator hoses are subject to damage and wear.
Normally, the radiator pipe and hose could deteriorate over time. When those components wear out, our automobile fans might not shut off.
It’s recommended to replace those worn-out components to avoid further damage and improve the fans’ working status.
Fan Relay
We should also check the radiator fan relay because it is another potential source of the issue. It controls the cooling fan’s electrical supply.
The car’s fans will suffer if there are issues with this relay component. For instance, the radiator relay may become unusable if stuck.
PCM or ECU Defective
A power-train control module (PCM) or an engine control unit (ECU), known as the car’s brain, can cause fan problems.
Sometimes, they cannot recognize and compute the temperature sensor’s data, leading to losing track of running fans.
Electrical Wires
Although this reason is rare, it does happen sometimes. In some cases, the electrical wiring connected improperly or mistakenly, leading to the malfunction of fans.
In those cases, we need to replace or reconnect them in the correct order. Although it seems basic, electrical wire checking is important.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Does It Cost To Change The Fan In A Car?
A replacement typically costs $300 to $400 on average. The price may vary with the car models and brands.
This is typically simple to access and service. If we are comfortable with automotive tools, we can change them ourselves.
It’s advisable to refrain from operating the vehicle with a damaged fan. The motor may be harmed by an overheated engine in case the fans cannot supply the engine system with cold air.
Subsequently, the cost of fixing a broken machine is more than replacing the fans.
Does The Thermostat Affect Radiator Fan?
The thermostat impacts the radiator fan. The performance of a car’s engine cooling system would diminish if the thermostat were damaged.
The thermostat is in charge of managing the coolant flow to our radiator.
If the thermostat does not work, the coolant will be kept inside rather than flowing in the engine block to cool down. As a result, the radiator fans could malfunction.
Why Is My Car Fan So Loud?
The fan’s sound should usually be enough to be audible but shouldn’t be excessively loud. Some models have a louder sound than others.
Frequently, a malfunctioning fan is the cause of loud noises. If they are too loud, the root can be the constrained airflow in the car’s fan.
Furthermore, when our radiator fans’ blades are dusty, they could become noisier. Be sure to clean them regularly. Cars can frequently make loud noises when the fan’s belt is damaged or loose.
Conclusion
Most automobile fans feature modules that instruct them when to turn on and off. It’s usually normal for a fan still running when car is off for several minutes.
This phenomenon cools down the generating engine’s heat, extending the engine’s lifespan. However, in case of the fan running when car is off for a long time, there are problems with the cooling system.
Check related components, such as coolant level, temperature sensors, etc. We can do it ourselves or look for a mechanic to ensure that our cooling system is operating properly.