My radiator fans are not working....-SOLVED-

[Type_R]

I have noticed for a few weeks that the rad fans have not been working. I thought it was the bad weather and a faulty ECT sensor, which I replaced last week. The coolant temps are now absolutely fine but neither of my rad fans are ever on.

So I took out VCDS, used Engine > output tests > Fan 1 control - both fans spun up in unison like they should so they are working fine.

I then turned on the Climatronic A/C - apparently the small fan should start spinning when the Air con fires up. The air con is blowing relatively cold air, VCDS is reporting no faults with the Air Con system, compressor seems to be starting up - reported as ON in VCDS, yet my rad fan never turns on, even after a long drive.

So the fans are working, the air con compressor is working, what gives?

[Polo6n1600i]

I had this on my Touran. Only way to fix it was a complete new fan pack! £230+ The controller is in the big fan - it also controls the small fan. I removed mine and tested it off the car - it was totally dead. new fan pack fixed the problem. You can but the fans seperately from ECP or GSF, but you have to match them with the same manufacturer otherwise they dont work - So I just went to VAAG and bought one.

[Type_R]

I had this on my Touran. Only way to fix it was a complete new fan pack! £230+ The controller is in the big fan - it also controls the small fan. I removed mine and tested it off the car - it was totally dead. new fan pack fixed the problem. You can but the fans seperately from ECP or GSF, but you have to match them with the same manufacturer otherwise they dont work - So I just went to VAAG and bought one.

But were your fans still responding to VCDS and working before you swapped them out??

[Polo6n1600i]

Yep - showed on a scan as operational. But the fans never turned. Neither of them were seized as you could turn them both by hand. And my CEL light came on the dash (lowline)

[Type_R]

Yep - showed on a scan as operational. But the fans never turned. Neither of them were seized as you could turn them both by hand. And my CEL light came on the dash (lowline)

See I don't have those symptoms. When I run the VCDS Fan 1 Control output test, both of my fans spin up! I don't have any VCDS faults and the dash is showing no errors. So both my fans are working just not when they should!

[Polo6n1600i]

I have a 2nd set of fans sitting in my garage (from a friends wrecked GTi) It maybe a good idea to try a different set and see if they work? Where are you based?

[Type_R]

I have a 2nd set of fans sitting in my garage (from a friends wrecked GTi) It maybe a good idea to try a different set and see if they work? Where are you based?

Most days in NW London and all others in Bham!

[Polo6n1600i]

ok - im in mid-scotland - maybe not!!!

[Type_R]

ok - im in mid-scotland - maybe not!!!

  Thanks for the offer anyway. I wonder if there is something wrong with the sensor in the big fan preventing it to spin up? VCDS reports specified and actual values for fan control and the car is asking for 40% and it thinks the fan is spinning at 40%, but clearly its not spinning at all!

[Polo6n1600i]

The main controller for the fan operation is contained within the big fan. There are 2 operational functions. if the internal sensor is fault - then the fan wont spin, if the external and controlled by VCDS is faulty - then the fan wont spin. Mine had both issues.

[Type_R]

The main controller for the fan operation is contained within the big fan. There are 2 operational functions. if the internal sensor is fault - then the fan wont spin, if the external and controlled by VCDS is faulty - then the fan wont spin. Mine had both issues.

Ahh now that makes more sense! I don't think it's that difficult to change the fans, I might give it a go!

[Polo6n1600i]

it just unbolts from the back of the radiator - but dont try and pull it up out from under the bonnet, remove the undertray and drop it down - much easier! Big fan is about £90 - small fan about £60 - fan holder is about £55. Or you can buy a complete unit all built up and ready to go for just over £230.
There are 2 different makes of fans and the small one and the big one must match otherwise they wont work.

[Type_R]

it just unbolts from the back of the radiator - but dont try and pull it up out from under the bonnet, remove the undertray and drop it down - much easier! Big fan is about £90 - small fan about £60 - fan holder is about £55. Or you can buy a complete unit all built up and ready to go for just over £230.
There are 2 different makes of fans and the small one and the big one must match otherwise they wont work.

Thanks for all the info. I'll order them through my SEAT parts man!

[Type_R]

Just sorted it! Opened the fuse box in the engine bay! Noted fuse F38 was inserted the wrong way (don't know if it makes a difference!). Took it out and put it back in the right way up! Turned on A/C and the fans fire up at low speed :)!!!