Like a breath of fresh air

After a generally rather cool spring, we are certainly all looking forward to wonderfully warm summer days – preferably without record-breaking heatwaves. But nobody can gaze into the crystal ball. “Whether it gets warmer or colder depends on the weather,” once said the brilliant German comedian Otto Waalkes in his iconic weather report over 40 years ago.

Nevertheless, drivers should always keep an eye on the operating temperature of their car. The electric fan is an important part of the vehicle’s main cooling system. On the one hand, it helps to prevent the cooling system and thus the engine from overheating when stuck in a traffic jam, for example. On the other hand, it also cools down the coolant, which is strongly heated by the air conditioning compressor and flows through the condenser. For diesel vehicles, it also takes on the additional task of dissipating the heat generated during the regeneration of the particulate filter into the ambient air. Naturally, where things get so hot, it’s easy for the material to suffer over the years. The electronics in particular are susceptible, not least due to the ingress of moisture. The electrical connection can corrode, the fuse or the control unit can become damaged and relay contacts can stick together or oxidise. There is also a risk of problems with the wiring.

Such defects become noticeable for instance when the fan starts as soon as the ignition is switched on, makes annoying noises or continues to run until the battery is flat even when the ignition key is removed. Further indications of irregularities are an elevated engine temperature and evaporating coolant.

Action should be taken now at the latest to avoid subsequent damage. Otherwise, the radiator may burst due to excess pressure, the engine may overheat and the entire mechanics of the engine may be severely damaged. Sometimes it is sufficient to replace the relay or the control unit. If not, the entire electric fan must be exchanged.

Either way, AIC stocks great value replacements. For example, we currently have 40 electric fans for 4,708 applications in our range.