VW Polo Fan Failure Causes Dangerous Overheating

Had the same issue with a VW Golf 2003 1.6L. The cooling system was fine but the electric fan stopped working intermittently. After troubleshooting, found it was a failed fan motor relay and corroded electrical connections at the fan motor plug. The electric fan issues typically start with inconsistent operation, exactly like your symptoms, then progress to complete failure. The cooling system works fine until you are idling or in slow traffic when the electric fan is most needed. When the fan stops, engine temperature rises rapidly. The repair involved replacing the fan motor relay, cleaning the connector pins, and applying dielectric grease to prevent future corrosion. Also checked the fan motor wiring harness for any damage. This was a critical repair as continued overheating could have led to serious engine damage. Key signs it was the fan: Engine temp normal while driving, Overheating mainly at idle, Fan either not spinning or running at wrong speeds, Electric fan working intermittently Would recommend getting this checked soon. These early symptoms match a failing electric fan system rather than a broader cooling system problem.

Thanks for sharing your experience with the Golf. My Polo started showing the same symptoms about 2 months ago. The intermittent fan motor operation and vehicle overheating while idling had me worried. After getting it fixed the fan clutch engagement is much smoother now and engine cooling is working perfectly again. Just wondering, do you remember roughly how much the repair cost in your case? Also, has everything been running smoothly since the fix or did you notice any other related issues popping up?

The repair bill came to 95€ for fixing the faulty cable connection at the fan motor plug. Much cheaper than I expected, and definitely worth getting done promptly to prevent any serious engine damage from overheating. The temperature control has been perfect since the repair. The electric fan now kicks in consistently when needed, especially during idle and slow traffic. No more sudden temperature spikes or cooling issues. The engine cooling system has been running smoothly for over a year now. One tip: Since electric motor problems often start with connector issues, its worth having those checked first before replacing more expensive components. Many shops immediately suggest replacing the entire fan assembly, but sometimes its just a simple electrical connection that needs attention. Good to hear your Polo is fixed and running well now. These VW models are generally reliable once the electric fan system is working properly.

Thanks for the helpful advice. I took my Polo to the mechanic last week after seeing these responses. The fan motor was indeed the culprit, but in my case it was completely dead and needed replacement. The total repair came to 285€ including parts and labor. The mechanic showed me the old fan motor, the bearings were completely worn and there was visible damage to the windings. It explained why the cooling system was struggling so much in traffic. They also cleaned all the electrical connections while they had it apart. The car runs perfectly now. The engine temperature stays steady even in stop-start traffic, and the new electric fan kicks in exactly when needed. Really glad I got it sorted before any serious vehicle overheating could damage the engine. For anyone else seeing similar symptoms, dont wait around like I did. Get the cooling system checked as soon as the fan starts behaving irregularly. The repair was straightforward and saved me from potentially bigger problems down the road.