Overheating Engine: Electric Fan Failure Symptoms & Fix

I had a similar issue with my Honda Accord 2014 last year (low/medium experience with car repairs). The symptoms were exactly like yours, engine overheating and the electric fan not engaging when it should. After some troubleshooting, my mechanic found that the wiring harness connecting to the fan motor had corroded connections. The cooling system itself was fine, but the electrical connection to the fan was faulty, preventing proper operation. Total repair cost was 95 Euro, mainly for labor and replacing the damaged connector. Before jumping to conclusions though, what make, model and year is your car? This would help identify if its a common issue for your specific vehicle. Also, have you noticed any other electrical issues? Sometimes a failing relay or blown fuse can cause the fan not to engage. A few things worth checking: Fan relay (usually in the fuse box), Temperature sensor connections, Fan motor wiring, Fan clutch operation if your model has one The engine cooling system is critical, so I would not recommend driving the car until this is fixed, as continued overheating could cause serious engine damage. Would you be able to share your vehicle details? That way I can provide more specific guidance based on your particular model.

Buick Royaum here, 134712 KM on the clock. Thanks for those suggestions. After checking the fuses and relay as recommended, discovered the fan relay was indeed shot. Vehicle overheating completely stopped after replacing it. The electric motor now kicks in properly when engine temperatures rise. Good call on the wiring inspection too, while replacing the relay, found some minor corrosion on the fan motor connections which I cleaned up. The engine cooling system is working perfectly now. Cost was minimal, just €15 for the new relay. Saved a lot by identifying the exact issue before taking it to a shop.

Thanks for the update on your Buick, glad to hear you got the vehicle overheating issue sorted! Your experience matches what I found with my own Buick when I had similar cooling problems last year. These electric fan relay failures are actually pretty common on these models after 100,000+ km. Smart move checking the wiring connections while you were in there. The corrosion you found on the fan motor connections is a known weak point. When my radiator fan stopped working, I also discovered corroded terminals that needed cleaning, though in my case the relay was still good. For anyone else reading who experiences engine overheating with a non-functioning cooling fan: Always start with the simple checks, relay, fuses, and wiring connections. The fan motor itself rarely fails, and a €15 relay replacement could save you from an expensive repair bill. Proper fan operation is crucial for preventing engine overheating, especially during idle or slow-speed driving when there's less airflow through the radiator. Regular inspection of these components during maintenance can help catch issues before they cause problems.

Just wanted to provide a final update, replacing the relay completely fixed my overheating issues. Took about 30 minutes total to diagnose and repair. For reference, I found the fan relay in the main fuse box under the hood. Once the new relay was installed, the radiator fan started working exactly as it should. Looking back, the key signs that pointed to a relay issue were: Vehicle overheating consistently after short drives, Electric motor for the fan never engaging, even at high temps, No issues with coolant levels or leaks, No other electrical problems Total repair cost was just €15 for the relay. The engine cooling system now maintains proper temperature even in stop-and-go traffic. Those suggesting to check the fan clutch and other components were on the right track, but starting with the simplest potential fix, the relay, saved time and money. Really appreciate all the guidance here. Will definitely check those fan motor connections periodically now to prevent any future corrosion issues.