2000 V70 Cooling Fan Test

sp1681 · Post by **sp1681** » 20 Jan 2011, 20:09

After 10 years since my last Volvo ('90 240 wagon) I just bought a used 2000 V70 with 104000 miles. Runs great and so far no major issues. First on agenda is to get the timing belt replaced. I am curious if the cooling fan is working as I haven't seen or heard it turn on but it is winter time even here in Alabama. Is there a easy way to jump it to make sure it runs?

Post by **phils94850** » 21 Jan 2011, 05:21

You can find the two wires that come off the fan and run jumper wires from the battery for power and ground and it should come on.

Post by **vjaneczko** » 21 Jan 2011, 07:40

You'll also have to test the relay, which controls a Low and High speed. The fan will probably only come on after a good bit of stop-n-go driving, or if you're out in the desert! One thing you might want to do is place a sheet of cardboard in front of the radiator and do some driving. The radiators are pretty good at keeping the car cool on its own.

The fan on these cars are fairly quiet, so you may not hear it unless you have your head under the hood.

Post by **FlyingVolvo** » 21 Jan 2011, 08:22

I wouldn't recommend the cardboard in front of the radiator... bad things can happen quickly!

You can also just switch on the AC. It's set so that the fan should always come on when the AC is active.

Post by **jblackburn** » 21 Jan 2011, 08:55

You can also just switch on the AC. It's set so that the fan should always come on when the AC is active.

After a bit - not always immediately. When it's cooler outside, it takes a bit longer before the fan comes on, so don't expect instant gratification

Post by **vjaneczko** » 21 Jan 2011, 09:49

ecbsykes wrote:I wouldn't recommend the cardboard in front of the radiator... bad things can happen quickly!

Keep in mind I said; "do a bit of driving" - not keep it in there for a few years

Just to be clear, I'd use the cardboard just for testing during these winter days - maybe a spin around the block, but not highway driving where the temp in Alabama would probably bring the temp up very quickly. Here in Illinois you could probably get through the winter with cardboard just like the semi's do. But, the system 'as-is' was designed to work in most every spot on earth so any permanent modification wouldn't necessary for most of us.

Post by **jimmy57** » 21 Jan 2011, 09:59

You don't say how long you have been driving the car but that it hasn't run hot and dumped coolant on ground is a decent sign that it works. There would likely be dried coolant on the top of the coolant tank under/around the cap at the very least from it venting.
I'm from AL originally: I reckon your fan is fixin' to come on whenever it gets hot as a set of jumper cables down at the Piggly Wiggly on a Saturday morning. If it's that hot and it doesn't run d'rectly then you have a problem.

Sorry folks, it's code talk.

Post by **jblackburn** » 21 Jan 2011, 10:57

That's one of those comments we need a "like" button for. I miss the South sometimes.

Post by **BEJinFbk** » 21 Jan 2011, 12:27

RE: The cardboard issue.
Blocking the radiator is SOP in the winter here.
The downside to the Gen 1's is all the stuff in the way.
When it drops below 0 here, I have a quick clamp that
goes on the upper hose. It doesn't stop flow completely,
but it does slow it down quite a bit, directing coolant
through the heater core at an increased volume.

Just be sure to get back to normal when the temp goes back up!

It DOES make a noticible difference. The heater's in these cars are
pretty disappointing considering their country of origin...What Happened, Volvo?

My folks have a 2001 Forester with a killer heater that'll cook you out.
( Thank Goodness for the Heated Seats! BIG Thumbs Up! )