Auxiliary Fan Assembly
The auxiliary fan in your car or truck serves two distinctive purposes. First, it forces air through the radiator and will turn itself on when the coolant’s temperature rises above a specific level. When it first comes on, the auxiliary fan will operate at a very slow speed. As the engine heats, the speed of the fan increases. Second, the auxiliary fan forces air through the air conditioner’s condenser whenever you turn on the air conditioning in your car or truck. When the auxiliary fan operates at slow speed it is virtually undetectable while you are driving. You may not hear it at all. When it increases in speed you may hear it a bit but it is typically always very unnoticeably unless you are literally trying to hear the fan running.
The auxiliary fan assembly helps to keep the engine cool while your vehicle is in operation. Without the fan, the engine would become overheated and could potentially stop working completely. If the radiator fan stops working or stops working properly, you run the risk of serious engine damage if you continue to operate your vehicle before you have the fan repaired or replaced. It is important that you understand the signs that signal your auxiliary fan assembly may not be working properly. First, if you notice that your air conditioning is not working properly, you may have a problem with the auxiliary fan assembly. If the air coming from your air conditioning vents is warmer than normal, particularly when the car is moving at normal driving speeds, then the fan assembly may be damaged or need replaced.
Another sign of auxiliary fan assembly problems is when you notice a rattling noise coming from the vehicle’s air conditioning system. The air conditioning compressor is typically found near the lower right section of the engine. If you notice a rattling sound coming from this area when the air conditioning unit is being used, you should have your auxiliary fan assembly checked. Again, running the vehicle without a properly working auxiliary fan can cause serious damage to the engine. In many vehicles, replacing the engine can cost well over $1,000. It is much safer to have the auxiliary fan assembly checked to determine the problem rather than run the vehicle and take your chances on damaging the engine.
The auxiliary fan assembly typically consists of a shroud that includes the fan blade and motor. It is typically located on or near the vehicle’s radiator and is needed in order to keep the engine cooled while running the vehicle. Troubleshooting problems with the auxiliary fan system is typically very easy because there are only two parts to consider. You can simply check the system by turning on the air conditioner and listening or looking into the grill of your vehicle. If you notice the fan working while the air conditioner is on then there is a good chance that there is nothing wrong with the assembly. You should notice that the fan is working noiselessly and running at a smooth speed. If you should notice a noise or notice that the fan grinds to a halt you may need to have it replaced.
You should expect to pay anywhere from $100 to more than $500 for the fan assembly depending on the specific make and model of your vehicle. Of course, labor charges for having the fan assembly replaced may also be a bit expensive. You can however, replace the assembly system yourself if you have the knowledge and tools needed to get the job done. If you typically perform your own automotive repairs, the fan assembly should not give you any problems. You will need to ensure however that you have good knowledge of replacing the auxiliary fan and ensuring that it is working properly to ensure that you do not damage your vehicle’s engine.
