VW Nivus Fan Failure Causing Engine Overheating Issues

Had almost the exact same issue on my 2021 VW T-Cross last summer. As someone who does basic maintenance but leaves complex repairs to professionals, this was definitely a shop job. The engine cooling system was acting up similarly, irregular fan operation and overheating warnings. Initially thought it was the thermal switch, but the diagnostic revealed a faulty speed sensor in the cooling fan assembly was causing erratic operation of the fan blade. Took it to a certified workshop where they confirmed the speed sensor was sending incorrect signals to the cooling system control module. Total repair came to 250€ including parts and labor. The car radiator and other components were fine, just the sensor needed replacement. Been running perfectly since then with proper fan operation and no more overheating issues. Would be helpful to know: Current mileage on your Nivus, When did you first notice the irregular fan operation, Any particular conditions when the issue occurs (city driving, highway, idle), Are you getting specific error codes with the check engine light This could help pinpoint if you are dealing with the same sensor issue or possibly something else in the cooling system.

My Nivus has 128551km on the odometer, last serviced just 2 months ago. Really appreciate your detailed experience with a similar cooling system issue. The fan noise started getting inconsistent about 2 weeks ago, especially during city driving. The temperature control goes haywire mostly in slow traffic when the fan motor should be working hardest. The scanner showed error code P0495 related to the fan speed control circuit. Based on your feedback about the speed sensor, I will definitely have that checked first. Good to know it might not require a complete fan blade assembly replacement. Has anyone else dealt with the P0495 code specifically on these newer VW models? Would help to know if sensor replacement fixed it for others too.

Great to hear back about your Nivus. The P0495 code is exactly what I encountered with my T-Cross before getting it fixed. The inconsistent fan noise during city driving matches my experience perfectly. Engine cooling issues are particularly noticeable in slow traffic when natural airflow is minimal. The thermal switch and speed sensor combo in these newer VW cooling systems can be tricky. In my case, the temperature control module was getting incorrect readings, causing the fan to either not engage or run at wrong speeds. After the sensor replacement, I noticed these immediate improvements: Fan noise returned to normal steady operation, No more erratic temperature fluctuations, Check engine light cleared and stayed off, Consistent cooling performance in all driving conditions Worth mentioning that the repair shop also checked the wiring harness connected to the fan assembly, apparently these can sometimes get heat stressed. The entire diagnostic and repair process took about 3 hours. Since your car has higher mileage, might be worth having them inspect the radiator fan bearings while they are working on the sensor. This preventive check could save you from future cooling system problems.

Thanks for the sensor repair info. Getting it checked tomorrow morning actually. The symptoms match exactly what you described, especially the fan acting up in city traffic. My Nivus definitely behaves worst when idling at lights or in slow-moving traffic, which makes sense if the speed sensor is sending wrong signals to the cooling system. That P0495 code seems pretty common for this issue based on some quick research. The car radiator and other components checking out normal during my last service also points toward the speed sensor being the culprit rather than bigger cooling system problems. Did your repair shop mention anything about checking the radiator fan bearings during the fix? With my higher mileage that might be worth looking into while they have everything apart. Want to avoid any repeat overheating issues down the road. Will update once I get the diagnostic results to confirm if the thermal switch or speed sensor was the root cause. Really hoping it's just the sensor like in your case and not a full fan blade assembly replacement.