VW Beetle Overheating Due to Faulty Cooling Fan

Had the same cooling system problems on my 2011 VW Golf TSI. The car would overheat during city driving, and the radiator fan would only work intermittently. After thorough diagnostics, the issue was traced to a failing fan motor and a damaged speed sensor. The cooling system temperature was fluctuating because the fan blade assembly wasnt spinning at the correct speeds. This caused the car to overheat especially during slow traffic or when idling. This is actually a serious issue that needs immediate attention. If left unfixed, it can lead to engine damage and more expensive repairs. The speed sensor replacement required removing several components to access the fan motor assembly. The repair involved: Testing the cooling system pressure, Replacing the defective fan motor, Installing a new speed sensor, Verifying proper fan operation, Clearing the check engine codes Based on the symptoms you describe, your Beetle likely has similar fan motor issues. Would strongly recommend getting it checked by a certified VW technician rather than risking further damage to the engine or cooling system components.

Thanks for sharing your experience. I had almost identical fan noise and car overheating problems with my 2014 Beetle last summer. Your repair list matches what my mechanic suggested. I ended up replacing both the thermal switch and car radiator fan motor since they were showing signs of wear. How much did your repair end up costing? Have you experienced any cooling system issues since the fix?

After getting everything fixed by the VW technician, my cooling system has been working perfectly. The radiator fan now runs smoothly without any unusual fan noise or temperature fluctuations. The total repair came to 250€ for the speed sensor replacement. The car runs great in all conditions now. No more overheating issues during city driving or when stuck in traffic. The fan motor activates exactly when needed and maintains proper cooling system operation. It was definitely worth addressing the problem promptly to prevent potential engine damage. Its been 8 months since the repair, and I havent experienced any cooling-related problems. The check engine light hasnt returned, and the car maintains normal operating temperature consistently. Getting the speed sensor replaced resolved all the intermittent fan operation issues I was experiencing.

Thanks for the input. I took my Beetle to a certified VW shop yesterday after reading these responses. The mechanic confirmed the car overheating was indeed caused by the faulty radiator fan assembly. The diagnosis showed both the thermal switch and fan motor needed replacement. The total repair cost came to 380€, which included: New fan motor unit, Thermal switch replacement, Labor costs, System pressure testing, Coolant top-up The engine cooling system now works perfectly. The radiator fan kicks in consistently when needed, and no more overheating issues even in slow traffic. The check engine light is gone too. Definitely worth getting it fixed by a proper technician rather than trying cheaper alternatives.