Why isn't my fan kicking on in my car?

Author: Jane Kiehn  |  Last update: Tuesday, June 23, 2026

If the sensor and the fuse are working correctly, but the fan doesn't turn on even when the car is overheating, it might be a wiring issue. Inspect the wiring going to the radiator's control unit or the relay. Check connector plug health and see if they are corroded at the relay and the control unit.

Why is my car fan not kicking in?

One of the main causes of radiator fan issues are electrical issues, such as a blown fuse, a faulty relay, or wiring issues.

Why isn't my fan turning on in my car?

If your car's AC is on but the radiator fan isn't running, it could be due to a faulty fan motor, a blown fuse, or a problem with the fan relay. It's best to have a mechanic check it out to diagnose and fix the issue.

Why is my car fan not blowing?

Either it's not getting electrical power or, more likely, the motor itself has simply burned out. A blower motor in an older vehicle is likely to burn out over time, and may need replacement.

What tells the radiator fan to kick on?

The engine temperature should trigger the fan to turn on. It will also turn the fan off once the engine has cooled to under 200 degrees. You may have heard of a part called the radiator fan switch or temperature fan switch. This is linked to a thermostat and works much like your home's HVAC system.

How to Repair a Cooling Fan in Your Car

How do I get a radiator fan to turn on?

Step-by-Step Guide to Troubleshooting a Non-Functioning Radiator Fan
  1. Check the fuse. If the fuse is burnt, replace it with the same size and type. ...
  2. Inspect the fan's condition. ...
  3. Test the fan motor. ...
  4. Check the coolant temperature sensor. ...
  5. Test the fan relay. ...
  6. Trace the wiring.

Can I drive my car if the fan is not working?

Can I drive my car if the fan is not working? Yes, your car can still run without a radiator fan, but you never should drive it. Your vehicle's cooling system is crucial to the engine's performance and lifespan. Every time your engine overheats, you're causing tremendous damage to the precious engine.

Why is my fan not blowing?

There are many reasons why a ceiling fan isn't blowing air including: Incorrect fan rotation direction. Incorrect fan blades size. Tilted base.

How to check if a radiator fan is working?

There are a few ways to test the radiator fan. You can connect the radiator fan to the car battery with jumper wires to see if the fan runs normally. You can connect a low impedance lamp in series with the motor, turn it through, and see if the lamp ever goes dark, which is the most sensible way.

How much does it cost to fix a radiator fan?

You can usually get a radiator fan or cooling fan assembly for around $50 to $500. Labor costs for this type of replacement will usually range anywhere between $100 and $400. The exact cost will depend on factors, such as the type of vehicle you have and the rates applied in your area.

How do I know if my fan relay is blown?

If the cooling fan relay has failed, you may see warnings, such as the check engine light and the temperature warning light, pop up on the dash, but first, you may notice that the A/C stops cooling. More about that in the next paragraph. The check engine light illuminating may indicate a faulty cooling fan relay.

What happens if your fan doesn't turn on?

If your fan is not getting power, you have a wiring issue that must be repaired. Wiring between the switch or power source and fan has likely gone bad. Skip to step 5 if your fan's motor is getting power. Step 4: Inspect nearby wires for damage.

Why is there no fan when AC is on?

It is myth that uses of ceiling fans while using air conditioners reduces the cool comfort in the room as ceiling fans tend to circulate hot air thus increasing the load on air conditioners.

Why is my cooling fan not turning on with the AC?

In short, common issues that can cause an air conditioning unit fan to stop spinning are electrical issues, problems with the capacitor, contactor issues, a burnt out air conditioner motor, a broken fan belt, or clogged air filter.

When should the fan come on in my car?

Modern systems the fans only turn on when the cooling system is saturated with enough heat that some heat needs to be removed. Older systems only turned on when the temperature sensor/switch in the rad indicated it was hot enough.

Why is my car blower not working?

There are a few reasons your motor blower could be failing, such as age, damage, a faulty resistor, or a blown fuse. The heating system switch may be faulty. The heater core may be blocked. The cabin air filter may be damaged or clogged.

Why is my cooling fan not kicking in?

The most common reasons for a radiator fan not working can be a blown-out fuse, a bad relay, or a broken wire. The faulty coolant temp sensor might also be a reason behind it. Whatever the case, a dysfunctional radiator fan can be fatal.

Should I be able to hear my radiator fan?

Your radiator fan should be audible. However, it should not be so loud that it sounds like a plane priming for takeoff, drowns out conversations anywhere near it, or scares children off the street whenever you pull onto the block.

How to fix car fan not working?

Check a fan motor for faults

Fan motor with the thermo-switch lead disconnected and test lead connected to the battery. Look at the fuse box for a blown fuse. If the fuses are intact, switch on the ignition and use a circuit tester to find if there is current at the motor terminals .

How do I fix my fan not running?

  1. Step 1: Start to Dismantle. ...
  2. Step 2: Disassemble the Plastic Motor Covers. ...
  3. Step 3: Taking Apart the Motor and Checking the Capacitor. ...
  4. Step 4: Take Out Rotor and Clean Bearings. ...
  5. Step 5: Reconnect Capacitor and Re-fit in Plastic Covers. ...
  6. Step 6: Re-attach Rear Fan Guard, Fan Blade and Front Guard.

How do I get my fan to work?

Why did my ceiling fan stop working?
  1. Make sure the power switch is on.
  2. Pull the pull chain to make sure it is on. ...
  3. Push the motor reversing switch firmly left or right to ensure that it is engaged.
  4. Check the circuit breaker to ensure the power is turned on.
  5. Make sure the blades spin freely by hand.

Will my car overheat if the cooling fan is not working?

A car's cooling system makes use of a radiator and fan to ensure the engine doesn't overheat while driving. If the fan isn't operating properly, it can lead to overheating fast and stop you in your tracks.

How do you know if a radiator is bad?

If you experience any of these problems, it might be time to call a professional for repairs.
  • Altered Heat Output: ...
  • Leaks: ...
  • Strange Noises: ...
  • High-Temperature Gauge Reading: ...
  • Overheating Engine: ...
  • Radiator Fans Not Working: ...
  • Radiator Hoses Cracked or Damaged:

Where is the fuse for a radiator fan?

On the inside of your fuse box (your car may have more than one) there should be a fuse location marked AUX FAN. This would be for electrical fans that cool the motor over a certain temperature.

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