VW Sharan Fan Failure Causes Diesel Overheating Issues

Had the same issue with my 2008 VW Touran 2.0 TDI. The irregular radiator fan operation and vehicle overheating pointed to a faulty fan clutch connection. The cooling system would work fine at highway speeds but struggle during idle and city driving. The temperature control module connector had corroded pins, disrupting the signal between the ECU and fan assembly. This caused the fan to either not engage or run at incorrect speeds. The issue was more serious than expected since corrosion had spread to nearby wiring. The repair involved: Testing the fan clutch operation, Replacing the corroded connector, Rewiring part of the cooling system harness, Recalibrating the temperature control module After fixing the connection issues, the cooling system returned to normal operation. Regular testing of electrical connections during maintenance could prevent similar problems. This type of issue typically starts small but can lead to major engine damage if left unchecked.

Thanks for sharing that fix. My Sharan is showing the exact same symptoms, especially the erratic electric fan behavior. The engine temperature climbing in traffic is particularly concerning. Did you remember how much the repair ended up costing? Also wondering if youve had any cooling issues since getting it fixed, particularly during summer driving? This repair history will really help me when I talk to my mechanic about the temperature control module and fan assembly.

The electric fan repair was actually quite straightforward and cost me 95€ to fix. The mechanic found a damaged cable connection to the temperature control module. Since the repair, the cooling system has worked flawlessly, even during hot weather and stop-and-go traffic. No more vehicle overheating issues at all. The fan clutch now engages properly and maintains consistent engine temperatures. Looking back, the irregular cooling fan operation was definitely due to that faulty electrical connection, not a more serious mechanical problem. If your symptoms match what I experienced, you might be dealing with the same simple electrical issue rather than a major cooling system failure. Worth mentioning that after 18 months, I havent experienced any repeat cooling problems. The electric fan runs exactly as it should, kicking in at the right temperatures and maintaining proper engine cooling under all conditions.

Just went to my mechanic yesterday with these fan motor issues. The symptoms matched exactly what you described, turned out it was indeed the temperature control module connection. Total repair came to 120€, mostly labor costs since they had to remove several components to access the wiring. The mechanic showed me the corroded connector that was causing the radiator fan to malfunction. He also tested the fan clutch assembly while everything was apart, which thankfully was still in good condition. The repair took about 2 hours and now the cooling system works perfectly. Already noticed a huge difference on my drive home, the fan kicks in properly at idle and the temperature gauge stays steady. Really glad I caught this before it led to serious engine damage from overheating.