Radiator fan issue

[Tensixty6]

Over the last few days I've noticed that the radiator fan is on all the time. I have a suspicion that it may have even started to happen soon after the big storm in Melbourne on the 6th. Possibly water's got in somewhere.

I guess the first thing to do would be to see if there are any fault codes showing up.

Has anyone else experienced this issue?

[Jethro41]

Hmmm... No I haven't... I thought I had the exact opposite problem in that I hardly ever heard my fans running.... but now that my A/C has been fixed I get to hear the fans running down after I switch her off.

Do you have access to VAGCOM, or will it be a trip to the dealer/repairer?

P.S. did you get my email?

[Frenchie]

Hard to say ? best get vagcom to check and keep us posted

[∆pex]

haven't had this issue yet but i just pressure hosed my engine bay! wiil update if any problems arise chris...

[zz2]

sounds like the relay is on its way out

[silverbullet]

a number of guys in the US had a stuffed accessory fan motor which when replaced fixed it.

have a similar problem with my GTI atm. fan comes on a fair bit during normal drive and weather conditions without the AC. did a vagcom and showed up engine coolant radiator temp sensor is faulty. getting it looked at on thursday at Denlo Parra service.

hope this helps.

[Tensixty6]

VCDS check indicates fault with the Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor. Which is basically confirming what "silverbullet" said.

Apparently it's not a major expense so I doubt if I'll bother going to all the trouble of replacing it under extended warranty.

[S&H]

VCDS check indicates fault with the Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor. Which is basically confirming what "silverbullet" said.

Apparently it's not a major expense so I doubt if I'll bother going to all the trouble of replacing it under extended warranty.

Why would it be any trouble getting it replaced under extended warranty?

I have made a claim with VW for some paint flaking off on a side skirt, the small triangular piece where the screw is in the wheel arch area, and it was done with minimal fuss (and at the smash repairer of my choice).

I'd get it done under warranty, that is why you paid (a lot of $$) for it. Just call your dealer and they will/should be able to tee up a time with the VW assessor for you.

[silverbullet]

agree with above

[Tensixty6]

Getting anything done through the dealer is a pain. You have to book it in, usually a couple of weeks in advance, take the car to the dealer, get a taxi back to work, go back later in the day (by taxi). The fact that I'm nervous the whole time the car is there doesn't help either.

[S&H]

Getting anything done through the dealer is a pain. You have to book it in, usually a couple of weeks in advance, take the car to the dealer, get a taxi back to work, go back later in the day (by taxi). The fact that I'm nervous the whole time the car is there doesn't help either.

Wouldn't you have to do the same thing even if you paid for it to get fixed?


All you would have to do for the warranty claim to let the accessor check that the fault and then come back on a scheduled date to have it fixed by the dealer (I'd choose a dealer that you are familiar with). You should be able to arrange for a loan car while your's is being fixed. Also most dealers have a shuttle service to the nearest train station or even to the CBD if you are unable to arrange for a loaner.

[Tensixty6]

I have a reputable Audi/Volkswagen Service Centre which is about 2 minutes walk from my business. I talk to the Service Manager face to face, I know him, he knows me. He looks after my car as if it were his own. The car's booked in for tomorrow, 100 bucks, job done.

I'd only go back to the dealer for a major issue. As far as a loan car is concerned, I don't know about your dealer but to get a loan car from my dealer.....it's like getting blood out of a stone. You have to beg and plead and even then the answer is usually no. As for public transport.....no way hosey. I'd happily pay $50 NOT to get on a train. Don't like trains, trams, buses or taxis.

[S&H]

I have a reputable Audi/Volkswagen Service Centre which is about 2 minutes walk from my business. I talk to the Service Manager face to face, I know him, he knows me. He looks after my car as if it were his own. The car's booked in for tomorrow, 100 bucks, job done.

I'd only go back to the dealer for a major issue. As far as a loan car is concerned, I don't know about your dealer but to get a loan car from my dealer.....it's like getting blood out of a stone. You have to beg and plead and even then the answer is usually no. As for public transport.....no way hosey. I'd happily pay $50 NOT to get on a train. Don't like trains, trams, buses or taxis.


Ahh, I see. For $100 and the convenience it's a no-brainer.

[Tensixty6]

i have a reputable audi/volkswagen service centre which is about 2 minutes walk from my business. The car's booked in for tomorrow, 100 bucks, job done.


All fixed. Easy as.

[silverbullet]

how much did it cost incl labour all up?

[stephen8512]

My radiator fan was busted and i took it in to the dealers to get it replaced. Its still under warranty and since the fan wasnt working properly, it was eating away at my coolant.

I got the engine coolant check light on my cluster and I filled it up with water until I could get my hands on some more. I booked it in, bought some coolant and topped it up in the meantime, and then a week later, good as new. No problems and no more coolant being sucked dry from the jetta.

[silverbullet]

good stuff stephen. its nice when things can be sorted first time around. taken mine in today. hopefully it gets sorted quickly like yours and chris'

[stephen8512]

yeah it shouldnt take too long. They had it for just over a day just to make sure if it was a warranty issue or if i did anything to stuff the engine up. I dont thrash the car so the check coolant light came as bit of a shock to me as I never had to change the coolant or top it up myself with my old accord euro. Ever.

They replaced the radiator as it was a warranty issue.

This gets me wondering, I wonder if this issue is an inevitable course that all GTI/Jettas are bound by? I still don't know why the radiator fan busted on me? Quality issue perhaps?

[silverbullet]

preliminary results suggest it is a problem with wiring not the fans or sensor like chris' GTI.

[Inlimbo]

Over the last few days I've noticed that the radiator fan is on all the time. I have a suspicion that it may have even started to happen soon after the big storm in Melbourne on the 6th. Possibly water's got in somewhere.

I guess the first thing to do would be to see if there are any fault codes showing up.

Has anyone else experienced this issue?


Hey Chris

After yesterday's big wet in Perth, I started to over heat on the way home in heavy traffic, just after driving through a "puddle". The steam told me it wasn't a faulty sensor.

http://gallery.me.com/jinooo/100087/IMG_0236/web.jpg?ver=12692531060001

Then today I noticed the air con cutting in and out. Took it to the dealer this arvo and they confirmed that my cooling fans weren't working. No CELs and coolant levels were fine. They weren't sure whether it was electrical or the fans themselves. Anyhow, car is still drivable as long as I don't get caught in more traffic and it's booked in to get fixed under warranty.

[10d]

inlimbo,

How do you get your MFD to display all that info? A plug in module? or just VAGCOM settings?

[Inlimbo]

It's a feature of the Kufatec Fiscon Bluetooth car kit. Some of the stats (like speed and Boost pressure) don't work...

[silverbullet]

just for other members future reference...the sensor was ok. prob was sender wire had an open circuit. VW not sure how this could have happened. one possible explanation is the wiring is just a bit too tight, not enough slack, from factory. or a mouse with a tiny samurai sword sliced it. you call it.

parts changed:
VW1J0973724 - housing flat contact 4
VW000979021E - wire set
VW000979940 - connector
VW00979950 - tape, webbing adhesive BL

all up $100 parts and 2 hours labour + GST (including bleeding coolant and refill)

[Tensixty6]

preliminary results suggest it is a problem with wiring not the fans or sensor like chris' GTI.

It turns out that there was nothing wrong with the sensor in fact. It was a wiring connection which you suspected and confirmed.