Engine Fan, does it work ?

Ant · Post by **Ant** » Wed Jul 22, 2015 5:05 pm

How do I check if my engine fan works ??

The water and oil temperature gauges in my car never give high readings.

Sometimes when I get out of my car the heat from the engine seems quite noticeable, but I have NEVER noticed my engine fan be 'on'

Is there a way to check if it is working or not ?

(E53 4.6iS)

Thank you

Greydog · Post by **Greydog** » Thu Jul 23, 2015 5:19 pm

Hi we have the same cars, there are two fans (1st) viscous engine driven (2nd) auxiliary electric
The viscous fan is running all the time the engine is on, the other gives support when in traffic or the AC is on and temperature rises. When you first start the car the electric fan spins a little (self tests I think) well it does on mine.
Water temperature shows middle of the gauge and is rock steady even when pulling the horse trailer. Oil temperature again tends to be a little over halfway between the 50 and 100 on the gauge. It rises slightly when pulling the horses.

I don't know if this helps or not but the car runs well and shows no faults, other than a rear(centre right) PDC fault which as it has a camera isn't an issue to me. Front sensors work fine when the trailer is hitched.

themoog · Post by **themoog** » Thu Jul 23, 2015 8:43 pm

I was a bit concerned with our 4.4 when i bought it as my code reader showed 106 deg coolant temp with no fans on. However, I have been reliably advised that these engines run hot and the fans on ours have been on since. Sounds like a jet engine when they are on full chat.. I always leave the ac on so that the front electric fan is running anyway.

Ant · Post by **Ant** » Fri Jul 24, 2015 9:02 am

Oh dear, I think I have an issue then
A) I did not know there were two fans (less of an issue just my ignorance)
B) I always run my car with the air con on, and I still have never seen the very front fan spin !!

Greydog · Post by **Greydog** » Fri Jul 24, 2015 1:49 pm

Open the bonnet and get someone to start the car while you watch the fan it should spin a little (self test) I think mine only does it at cold start.

I assume the AC is charged and on (does the clutch kick in and out) ?

Ant · Post by **Ant** » Fri Jul 24, 2015 3:01 pm

Thank you I will try the self start check to see if it moves
And yes, Air con seems to work fine

Ant · Post by **Ant** » Sun Jul 26, 2015 4:31 pm

Well, I am an idiot, yes I have two fans and the engine driven one works fine.
I tried the self test (if it exists) on the front most fan and it never moved.

As stated my air con works and is always on, but I have a thought, its only set to 68 degrees, so its not exactly freezing, my next try will be to set the air con at a much lower temperature on a hotter day (its persisting down today) and see it that forces it to start the front most fan...

We shall see

TimX5 · Post by **TimX5** » Sun Jul 26, 2015 8:14 pm

[quote="Ant"]
Well, I am an idiot, yes I have two fans and the engine driven one works fine.
I tried the self test (if it exists) on the front most fan and it never moved.

As stated my air con works and is always on, but I have a thought, its only set to 68 degrees, so its not exactly freezing, my next try will be to set the air con at a much lower temperature on a hotter day (its persisting down today) and see it that forces it to start the front most fan...

We shall see
[/quote]

Turn the air con on and unplug the low pressure switch and the fan may work or it might just twitch a bit but not self test , mine was faulty , just replaced it .

Ant · Post by **Ant** » Mon Jul 27, 2015 10:55 am

Where do I find this fabled "low pressure switch" ?

X5-D-Sport · Post by **X5-D-Sport** » Thu Jul 30, 2015 4:33 pm

Low pressure switch...

Stand infront of the drivers/right side headlamp & look down at the chassis rail that runs alond side the engine...
There is a aluminuim ac pipe that is level on the chassis rail with a connector on it.... voila... you found it.

Whether you short the connections in the wire connector or just unclip it to make the fan work - Im unsure....

Ant · Post by **Ant** » Fri Jul 31, 2015 8:55 am

Thank you, I 'may' take a look, but this sounds like a disaster waiting to happen with my 'skills' as a mechanic

TimX5 · Post by **TimX5** » Fri Jul 31, 2015 9:05 am

[quote="X5-D-Sport Salisbury"]
Low pressure switch...

Stand infront of the drivers/right side headlamp & look down at the chassis rail that runs alond side the engine...
There is a aluminuim ac pipe that is level on the chassis rail with a connector on it.... voila... you found it.

Whether you short the connections in the wire connector or just unclip it to make the fan work - Im unsure....
[/quote]

Yes just unplug the low pressure switch, don't need to bridge any connections , start the car with the ac on and the fan should kick in , the fan may rock slightly it's a check mode and then start up a few seconds after , or if it's knackered like mine was it rocked and did nothing hence knackered fan.

X5-D-Sport · Post by **X5-D-Sport** » Fri Jul 31, 2015 1:04 pm

Thanks Tim...
Mine doesnt even rock.... but power is getting there...
Need to hunt out a fan ... again...

TimX5 · Post by **TimX5** » Fri Jul 31, 2015 4:14 pm

Call this number the guy is called Adam really helpful, I got my fan off him tell him I told you to call .

07466 780147

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