possible radiator fan problem

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rich164h

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Hi,
I've just been told by one of my colleagues that they could hear my radiator fan running in the company's car park, and sure enough when I've been out to investigate it is. This is just over 3 hours after I parked there this morning!

I've not noticed this happening before so can someone either let me know if this is normal or not, and/or what the problem could be if something is wrong.

I've been for a quick drive to see if switching the car on and off helps but that made no difference.

Thanks in advance

Rich
 
There was a thread on here recetly about faulty fans. Do a search for it, and sooner rather han later as I seem to recall that the faulty fan caught fire in the end.

Have a nice day!
 
Wow, thanks for the very speedy responses.

hmmm.... it does look as if the incident with the fire is a one off thankfully, but the possibility of it running my battery flat is a very real one. I guess I'll have to pop it into the dealership this lunchtime and see what they think. Thankfully it's still under warranty.
 
rich164h said:
Wow, thanks for the very speedy responses.

hmmm.... it does look as if the incident with the fire is a one off thankfully, but the possibility of it running my battery flat is a very real one. I guess I'll have to pop it into the dealership this lunchtime and see what they think. Thankfully it's still under warranty.
Click to expand...

I'd still advise sussing out if it's the condensor fan on it's own or not. That way you can be armed before you see Audi.
 
Well I've just got back and I'm no further forward. I visited one dealership and spoke to another and neither can look at it until next Tuesday and neither have a courtesy car until the 29th (or the 30th for the other one) so I can't even leave it with them as I'll be stranded. If I can leave it with them, it will go flat in their premises and they'll replace anything that needs changing such as a new battery etc

Oddly they both said that the best thing to do was to let it go flat then call for roadside assistance as they will sort out a replacement car whilst mine is being looked at.

Seems a strange way of doing business to me.
 
rich164h said:
Well I've just got back and I'm no further forward. I visited one dealership and spoke to another and neither can look at it until next Tuesday and neither have a courtesy car until the 29th (or the 30th for the other one) so I can't even leave it with them as I'll be stranded. If I can leave it with them, it will go flat in their premises and they'll replace anything that needs changing such as a new battery etc

Oddly they both said that the best thing to do was to let it go flat then call for roadside assistance as they will sort out a replacement car whilst mine is being looked at.

Seems a strange way of doing business to me.
Click to expand...

Yeah they are two separate divisions I think. I had the airbag warning light come on in my previous car because I disconnected it. I needed just a reset so went to Chester Audi who told me they'd have to book it in for the next day or I could go home and call roadside assist. Which I did.

If you're desperate I'd choose that option myself. Do it now though, don't bother waiting until it goes flat. The guy will still be able to sort out a replacement car if he can't fix it there and then.

Have you looked at which fan it is?
 
Good plan. I've just called them and someone should be out in the next hour or so.

My commute is 80 miles per day and on Friday I have to go to an off site meeting, so being without a car isn't an option.

I can't see exactly which fan it is, but as you face the front of the car it sounds like it's just slightly off to the left hand side. Does that help?
 
rich164h said:
I can't see exactly which fan it is, but as you face the front of the car it sounds like it's just slightly off to the left hand side. Does that help?
Click to expand...

Not really! lol I was hoping it would be the one to the right.

What's the details of your car? I need: model, year, engine type
 
That would help!

It's a 2004, A3 3.2 s-line quattro dsg
 
rich164h said:
That would help!

It's a 2004, A3 3.2 s-line quattro dsg
Click to expand...

Do you have a fuse box in the boot?

according to Elsawin you can disconnect the main relay (5) in the main fuse box 'In luggage compartment, rear right'

32mainfusebox.jpg


This is the battery cut off relay and has normally closed contacts. Of course this will need to be put back in when you want to drive it.

Or you can just wait until Mr Audi arrives.
 
Or you can reach under the front and unplug the fans using connector 1!

H5DJR said:
A19-0473.png
Click to expand...
 
not on mine. took me at least 5 seconds when my fan wouldn't go off on Saturday afternoon.
 
Well roadside recovery reckon it's a faulty fan controller which he said is part of the main fan unit so the whole thing will need to be replaced. I've left the car at my local dealership and now have a brand new TT hire car to play around in for the next week as they can't do the work until the middle of next week. Not a completely disasterous situation TBH
 
Teejay said:
not on mine. took me at least 5 seconds when my fan wouldn't go off on Saturday afternoon.
Click to expand...

I think I'd have to take a panel off of mine. Plus those connectors can be a right ******* sometimes! But I'll remember that next time. Bottom right as you look at the car yes?

rich164h said:
Well roadside recovery reckon it's a faulty fan controller which he said is part of the main fan unit so the whole thing will need to be replaced. I've left the car at my local dealership and now have a brand new TT hire car to play around in for the next week as they can't do the work until the middle of next week. Not a completely disasterous situation TBH
Click to expand...

Niiice :thumbsup: glad it's getting sorted mate.
 
staz1000 said:
I think I'd have to take a panel off of mine. Plus those connectors can be a right ******* sometimes! But I'll remember that next time. Bottom right as you look at the car yes?
Click to expand...

Aha, forgot about the bottom engine cover...
I broke mine while taking it off to change the oil and never put it back.

Yes, it will be slightly harder, but the connector (at least on mine) was really easy to slide undone. What is different to that pic is that there is one connector for both fans, instead of two connectors.
 
Teejay said:
Aha, forgot about the bottom engine cover...
I broke mine while taking it off to change the oil and never put it back.

Yes, it will be slightly harder, but the connector (at least on mine) was really easy to slide undone. What is different to that pic is that there is one connector for both fans, instead of two connectors.
Click to expand...

Aha, I wondered if maybe certain models don't have that cover.

The picture is taken from within the engine bay though isn't it? On my car the fan on the right (as you look in) is the one that's slightly higher up.
 
yes that's correct. connector nearest the kerb.
 
just consider yourself lucky yours work at all - after being in the garage following a minor bump, ive had no fans at all since - oh and no fans means no air con either! Still trying to get to the bottom of it!
 
Noticed today that whilst stuck in traffic, obviously the aircon gets above the temp it would like to be... this forces the aircon into ECON mode (and it won't switch off).

I've plugged the fans back in now and they stayed off when the ignition went off (bizarre) but thought that this might help those folks where the ECON is stuck on.

Could well be a loose connection or temp sensor fault causing the aircon to overheat and forcing it into 'standby mode'. Worth a look anyway - cheaper than new fans!!!
 
Fans stayed on on my A3. Needed complete new fan assembley kit - about £300 fitted but under warranty anyway.

Not done it since!
 
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