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Model specific boards => Golf mk5 => Topic started by: kingbilly on 12 August 2009, 15:37

Title: Electric fan problem...or not...???
Post by: kingbilly on 12 August 2009, 15:37
With engine still running and car parked up after a small drive I can hear the electric fan whirling away...however, switch the air con off and the fan goes off...switch the air con back on and the fan comes back on...all this while stationary.

Does this sound right/okay to you guys...?

Thank you,
Billy
Title: Re: Electric fan problem...or not...???
Post by: jaydubveedub on 12 August 2009, 16:37
Sounds to me like the air-con pusher fan cutting in and out as you switch the A/C on and off.

Not sure if it's the same, but I used to have a BMW 330 and that had an electric fan in front of the air con radiator to force air through it (for when the car is not moving this there is no natural air flow).

Again, not sure if the GTI is the same as I haven't done too much nosing about under the bonnet but I wouldn't worry about it.

Does anyone else know?
Title: Re: Electric fan problem...or not...???
Post by: ub7rm on 12 August 2009, 17:39
The fan will always run with the a/c on.

The fan will run as jaydub.. says when there is no natural airflow and its warm.  Mine usually runs for a little while after turning the car off.

Sounds like normal behaviour to me. 
Title: Re: Electric fan problem...or not...???
Post by: dubcruiser on 12 August 2009, 20:02
As the two replies above, all sounds normal!! Start worrying when you switch the air con and no fans run!!  :wink:
Title: Re: Electric fan problem...or not...???
Post by: m0nkeymafia on 17 August 2009, 11:06
The fan will always run with the a/c on.

The fan will run as jaydub.. says when there is no natural airflow and its warm.  Mine usually runs for a little while after turning the car off.

Sounds like normal behaviour to me. 

Im glad you said that, mine does that and it worried me! Its quite noisy isnt it when your travelling slow or stopped!
Title: Re: Electric fan problem...or not...???
Post by: Teutonic_Tamer on 17 August 2009, 22:39
And it is important to remember that the two fans can work either in unison or completely independently.  And they can also vary their speed too.
Title: Re: Electric fan problem...or not...???
Post by: M11BYH on 03 September 2009, 16:40
My car has these symptoms too. Monitor your fans and see if they both are working, what generally happens (or happened in mine) my smaller fan failed, which resulted in the bigger fan coming on alot more and much faster and louder, compensating for the smaller fan failure. it always comes on and sounds like a jet! especially when i turn ,my ac on, it didnt do this before. ive orderd a new motor for my fan, costing me £118.
Title: Re: Electric fan problem...or not...???
Post by: m0nkeymafia on 03 September 2009, 16:49
I took mine for a service the other day and got them to look at the car fan issue.
They said it was normal even though it sounds realllly loud!

It almost makes me want to turn the A/C off... it distracts from the exhaust tones!!
Title: Re: Electric fan problem...or not...???
Post by: Vdubulyer on 03 September 2009, 19:20
Funny, I've just come back off me hols and found I've got the exact same issue.

It doesn't sound "normal" to me, I've had the car for 18 months and not noticed it until today.


Just took M11BYH's advice and checked the small fan - it's failed. Cheers for the tip!!

M11BYH - Have you got the part number?
Title: Re: Electric fan problem...or not...???
Post by: m0nkeymafia on 03 September 2009, 22:05
Where do you check for the small fan?
Title: Re: Electric fan problem...or not...???
Post by: Teutonic_Tamer on 03 September 2009, 22:09
Where do you check for the small fan?

Huh, they are both side by side on the rear of the radiator!
Title: Re: Electric fan problem...or not...???
Post by: m0nkeymafia on 03 September 2009, 22:16
Ahh ok... if you havent guessed I literally no nothing of where anything is on cars - its quite sad how little I know
Title: Re: Electric fan problem...or not...???
Post by: Teutonic_Tamer on 03 September 2009, 22:24
Ahh ok... if you havent guessed I literally no nothing of where anything is on cars - its quite sad how little I know

OK, no worries mate.  :smiley:

You might want to download some of the manuals in this thread - http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=54324 - and have a general mooch around this section of the forum - http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?board=59

 :wink: :wink: :wink: :wink:

Title: Re: Electric fan problem...or not...???
Post by: kingbilly on 04 September 2009, 18:56
Is there any chance someone could give a brief explanation of the purpose of each fan...how to test they are operating correctly...and the consequences of either/both failing...and how to fix.

Many thanks,
Billy
Title: Re: Electric fan problem...or not...???
Post by: Teutonic_Tamer on 04 September 2009, 23:04
They can either work together, or independently.  They can work at exceedingly low speed - like about 100rpm, or anywhere up to full bore - concorde on re-heat mode!

They are not controlled in an 'old skool' manner, but are controlled by the 'Coolant Control Module' (a standard method of operation since the mid 1990s  :wink:) - which is now an integrated part of the engine control unit.

VAG-COM, or a stealers 'puter is the only way to correctly test for correct operation - though if you have a hot engine on tickover, turn on the air con, open bonnet, and watch - they should both be turning.

If either are toast - bin it and buy a new one.

HTH
Title: Re: Electric fan problem...or not...???
Post by: andreajones021 on 30 September 2009, 14:49
Is there any adventitious anyone could accordance a brusque annual of the purpose of ceremony fan...how to assay they are operating correctly...and the after-effects of either/both failing...and how to fix.


_________________
Bathroom fan (http://www.bathroomfanexperts.com)
Title: Re: Electric fan problem...or not...???
Post by: rskardon on 02 October 2009, 09:56
Any ideas on the price for a new set of fans, my small fan has also failed, sounds like my car is about to take off with AC running, as i recall vw had the same issue with the MK4, why cant they manage to make decent fan systems???
Title: Re: Electric fan problem...or not...???
Post by: Vdubulyer on 02 October 2009, 18:41
I have been quoted £270 fitted by my local VW/Audi independent
Title: Another Small Fan Failed.
Post by: LEED30 on 03 October 2009, 15:35
I've just had my Wife's ED30 serviced and during initial handover to the dealer I mentioned that the large fan was operating more frequently.

Guess what?......it turns out the small fan has failed!

Is it a difficult job to replace it? (Obviously under warranty).
Title: Re: Electric fan problem...or not...???
Post by: kingbilly on 03 October 2009, 16:24
I eventually got round to taking my GTI into the stealers this week...they checked the fan out...and apparently it has seized...parts need to be ordered and they will take the car back and fix under warranty.

Sounds good to me.
Title: Re: Electric fan problem...or not...???
Post by: Teutonic_Tamer on 13 October 2009, 11:07
Maybe worth us all manually rotating the fan blades when we do our weekly underbonet checks!  :wink:
Title: Re: Electric fan problem...or not...???
Post by: kingbilly on 13 October 2009, 11:13
Update...brand new fan fitted yesterday...working properly...warranty work...no cost...result...!!!

Regards,
Billy