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Old Jan 11, 2019 | 03:58 PM
  #1  
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Default Engine Compartment Fan

I’ve been driving my ‘04 C4S around Florida for the past few days and, even after a fairly spirited drive, the cooling fan doesn’t come on at stoplights or when I pull into the garage and shut it down.

The temp has been in the ‘70’s. My 04 Carrera’s fan would come on frequently in the summer in Indiana. But the temps were probably 10 degrees higher.

Problem or not?

TC
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Old Jan 11, 2019 | 04:23 PM
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Originally Posted by AA717driver
I’ve been driving my ‘04 C4S around Florida for the past few days and, even after a fairly spirited drive, the cooling fan doesn’t come on at stoplights or when I pull into the garage and shut it down.

The temp has been in the ‘70’s. My 04 Carrera’s fan would come on frequently in the summer in Indiana. But the temps were probably 10 degrees higher.

Problem or not?

TC
Since I have the car (also in Florida) I only got the engine bay fan running once, and it was just for few seconds after arriving to the garage. Even driving in the summer with the high temps here in Broward.
Maybe it is because I have never made too much city and the car gets good refrigeration.

I think that there is a one warning light in case the engine bay fan doesnt work
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Old Jan 11, 2019 | 05:48 PM
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Originally Posted by AA717driver
I’ve been driving my ‘04 C4S around Florida for the past few days and, even after a fairly spirited drive, the cooling fan doesn’t come on at stoplights or when I pull into the garage and shut it down.

The temp has been in the ‘70’s. My 04 Carrera’s fan would come on frequently in the summer in Indiana. But the temps were probably 10 degrees higher.

Problem or not?

TC
I don't think ambient air temp of 70 will cause the fan to kick on. Once temps get into the 90's and if you don't have the fan going, I'd check it out.
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Old Jan 11, 2019 | 06:21 PM
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Ok. Thanks guys. I was thinking it might not have been warm enough down here.

My other one would kick on in the summer after coming off the interstate—not even flogging it. Wondering if that car was triggered at too low a temp. Oil temp is fine on the current car.

Thanks again!

TC
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Old Jan 11, 2019 | 08:19 PM
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The engine compartment purge fan rarely comes on.

From the service manual...

"Switch-on conditions for engine compartment fan (this fan pulls air into the engine compartment) The engine compartment fan is switched on when the engine compartment temperature is > 176 degrees F or the coolant temperature is > 216 degrees F.

After-running of engine compartment fan

If the ignition is switched off and the engine compartment temperature is more than 140 degrees F, the DME control module remains in readiness for another 20 minutes. During this time, the engine compartment temperature is retrieved every 10 seconds. If the engine compartment temperature is > 185 degrees F , the engine compartment fan is switched on for 20 seconds. If the engine compartment temperature is still > 185 degrees F after this time, the fan remains on for a further 30 seconds."
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Old Jan 11, 2019 | 10:21 PM
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Ok, of course this happened AFTER I started this.

After crawling through the near gridlock of snowbirds in downtown Naples, I pull in to park at a restaurant and, ta dah!—I hear the fan running. It was just that much idling after running at 60 mph downtown to trigger the fan.

Thanks all—good input as always.

Temps crept up to the left side of the 8 in 180 but no higher.

TC

ETA: Murphy, I have had the fan run after shutoff in the garage after some spirited driving on my old one but I have a pretty good stretch of cool down time driving into my neighborhood here in FL. Great info—more numbers for me to geek on!
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Old Jan 11, 2019 | 11:13 PM
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At least you know yours works. Mine has never come on
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Old Jan 11, 2019 | 11:56 PM
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I don't think mine has come on in the garage since I replaced my stock spoiler with the Taco spoiler.
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Old Jan 12, 2019 | 09:39 AM
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I say totally normal operation. My engine compartment fan rarely if ever comes on. I know it works, just never comes on even on the hottest days.
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Old Jan 12, 2019 | 09:42 AM
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I think Durametric should be able to tell you if it is functional. If you're worried, I'd check.
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Old Jan 12, 2019 | 10:08 AM
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Originally Posted by AA717driver
Ok, of course this happened AFTER I started this.

After crawling through the near gridlock of snowbirds in downtown Naples, I pull in to park at a restaurant and, ta dah!—I hear the fan running. It was just that much idling after running at 60 mph downtown to trigger the fan.

Thanks all—good input as always.

Temps crept up to the left side of the 8 in 180 but no higher.

TC

ETA: Murphy, I have had the fan run after shutoff in the garage after some spirited driving on my old one but I have a pretty good stretch of cool down time driving into my neighborhood here in FL. Great info—more numbers for me to geek on!
Hey, hey...that snowbird thing.../X3

Marco Island, FL
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Old Jan 12, 2019 | 10:20 AM
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Originally Posted by 4Driver4
I think Durametric should be able to tell you if it is functional. If you're worried, I'd check.
Correct, you can turn the fan on this way. However, I believe it overrides the temp sensor by telling the ECU to run the fan relay on.

Last edited by Mike Murphy; Jan 12, 2019 at 10:38 AM.
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Old Jan 12, 2019 | 10:29 AM
  #13  
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You can test the sensor with a heat gun, infrared thermometer (and I use a heat shield).
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Old Jan 12, 2019 | 10:39 AM
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Good point.
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Old Jan 12, 2019 | 01:35 PM
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Originally Posted by exthree
Hey, hey...that snowbird thing.../X3

Marco Island, FL
I know! My buddy who warned me about the in-season traffic was utterly unsympathetic to my plight last night.

Hopefully heading to Marco this afternoon to watch the Colts/KC game (IF AA scheduling leaves me alone!).

TC
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