coolant/radiator fan for 3.2L

strichzwei · Post by **strichzwei** » 02 Nov 2018, 09:37

My fan died (would not activate with AC or VIDA) and I replaced it with a salvage-used one.
Using VIDA, I can activate the salvage fan at 33% and 66% but not at 100%.
Am I missing something or is this fan not fully functional?

thanks for the help.

Scott in Austin

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 02 Nov 2018, 20:14

It is possible that the fan cannot achieve full speed due to wear and tear. There is only one winding in the fan motor and the speed is controlled by the fan control module.

Take a voltmeter and place it across the leads to the fan motor. Observe the voltage at different speed settings.

Post by **precopster** » 03 Nov 2018, 02:29

Do these 3.2 litre engine fans still only have one signal lead going to the controller or is it a multi-pin connector?

strichzwei · Post by **strichzwei** » 04 Nov 2018, 09:21

The controller is integral to the fan assembly. It appears there is a pos lead, a neg lead and a single lead for the controller. I hooked it up to another used fan and again could only activate 33% and 66%, what are the chances that both these (albeit used) fans have a failure at 100%? I just don't understand what is going on. I know previous generations (my 2006 V70) only had a 2 stage fan. Could it be the early 3.2 l also only had 2 stages and this just isn't clear in vida?

Post by **jimmy57** » 04 Nov 2018, 09:41

VIDA glitch. Your fan is fine.
The signal is sent by VIDA (if it sends it) and you check to see if it changes speed. It is not a two way fan check. If it said 100% and you didn't hear the speed pick up or the fan speed surges and then slows, that is a problem.

strichzwei · Post by **strichzwei** » 04 Nov 2018, 15:05

Jimmy57 thanks. Maybe I didn't quite understand your post, but it seems you are describin gthe issue I am experiencing. Vida has an option for me to activate the fan at 100% as you can see in the foto, when I choose 100% and click the start button, nothing happens. Only the 33% and 66% option are working.

thanks,
Scott

Post by **precopster** » 04 Nov 2018, 15:20

I think I saw that same glitch on Vida a couple of weeks ago when testing fan for A/C speeds. The basic design hasn't changed from the P2s except for the connector.

Rev motor with A/C off at 2,000 RPM until coolant temp reaches 105-106 degC when fan should kick in at high speed.

Post by **jimmy57** » 04 Nov 2018, 17:59

As Precopster said the issue is a VIDA glitch in older VIDA where the full set of fan speed activations don't work. I think you have your answer already. You could not get any fan operation and then you replaced fan and it runs on two of the three available activation speeds. The fan works as it should and the issue is with VIDA. The peace of mind test would be to run it until it gets hot enough to turn on fan. That may take >15 minutes on a 65-70 F day like you'll have down your way tomorrow. Plan B is to turn on a/c with a high blower speed and then cover the grill and the lower air opening in bumper with a tarp or big trash bag, etc. The a/c pressure will increase and the ECM will ramp up fan speed. Be ready to pull the covers when the fan changes from low to a higher speed. The pressure can go up pretty quick and there is no need to let pressure go way up as fan running at more than one speed is all the answer you need. The two fan systems like yours will some times drop one or both fans but I have not seen one fail where it will run 1/3 and 2/3 speed but fails to go to the highest speed.

Post by **precopster** » 05 Nov 2018, 03:33

Spot on Jimmy I think I was testing with Vida 2012A on my older XP workstation. Would like to try that trick with the blocked off grille to get the full speed running just for laughs.

strichzwei · Post by **strichzwei** » 05 Nov 2018, 07:36

Thanks guys, much appreciated!!!!!
Scott