Radiator Cooling Fan Won't Turn Off (2010 Volvo XC60 T6)

Dzikiewicz · Post by **Dzikiewicz** » 15 Oct 2019, 11:30

Hi everyone

I just got this problem as well, problem is I’m from Canada and I’m in New England. Can I just unplug the smaller fan and expect the larger fan to take care of some of the load? Or if I unplug the smaller fan from the module will both fans not work? What warning can I expect of the car starts to overheat?

ClarkKent · Post by **ClarkKent** » 15 Oct 2019, 17:30

Howdy! I've been around the block many times with this. It's very frustrating and I feel your pain. I'm no expert but, I was able to resolve this buy purchasing a new control unit. (Volvo no longer sells the control unit individually and requires you to buy the whole fan).

I purchased my initial ECM on Ebay - it's very low risk because it was $30. I found one that offered a decent warranty. It worked ok but, after 2 months had some issues. Requested refund and purchased a second off Amazon. I had some minor issues BUT, I think it was a result of the connectors. I played around with them, tested and knock on wood the car is working fine. If you don't want to go that route, you can purchase a Gates brand online or at a parts store for around $125+. It's a simple install - 1 screw and attach the connectors.

Hopefully this helps! Let us know what route you selected and GOOD LUCK!

UPDATE - FOLLOW THIS POST FOR EXACT INSTRUCTIONS and please read Jimmy's comments - HE'S THE BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Post by **RickHaleParker** » 16 Oct 2019, 13:08

Dzikiewicz wrote: ↑15 Oct 2019, 11:30 Can I just unplug the smaller fan and expect the larger fan to take care of some of the load? Or if I unplug the smaller fan from the module will both fans not work? What warning can I expect of the car starts to overheat?

You can disconnect the smaller fan and drive back to Canada. At speeds over 30 MPH one does not need a fan. The natural air flow from the movement of the car will do the trick. If you get in stop and go traffic it might start to overheat. Don't let the engine idle for very long when you are not moving.

Your biggest challenge would be the stop and go at the border. You might consider crossing late at night when there is very little traffic.

You might want to stop right before the border and let the engine get cold.

Dzikiewicz · Post by **Dzikiewicz** » 16 Oct 2019, 18:04

So I’ve actually driven for about 600 km in New England. I’m lucky because I brought a OBD thing that gives me a live read out of the temp sensor. It’s been around 90 c the whole time. What temperature does the warning light come on? And I suppose the big fan won’t come on?

Dzikiewicz · Post by **Dzikiewicz** » 16 Oct 2019, 18:21

Also, if I plug in the small fan will that prevent my car from overheating

maverick455 · Post by **maverick455** » 18 Oct 2019, 08:46

I purchased a Cooling Fan Control Module off of eBay for around $32. It lasted one year before it failed. I'm trying a Gates unit now from Rock Auto for $110.

Post by **precopster** » 19 Oct 2019, 16:00

You can separately power the fans with a 12V source to test them while disconnected from the fan module. The presence or otherwise of small sparks is hardly a conclusive diagnosis as the issue may be that a foreign object is lodged behind the fan preventing it from turning.

The whole assembly is relatively easy to remove and test.

Dzikiewicz · Post by **Dzikiewicz** » 20 Oct 2019, 14:29

Update: I drove into Montreal a few days ago, the car hit 94c so I pulled over and plugged in the module and was fine driving through the city. Since then I’ve driven home to west Toronto with the fan unplugged, upon my arrival the new eBay module was waiting on my door step and has been install. For people who have the problem in the future. Just know the fans turn on at 98/ 99 C. Also I would not recommend driving over 30 mph with the fan plugged in because I imagine the fan motor would now be fighting with the air flowing through the radiator, although I’m not positive of this stress, it just makes sense to me.

jkg263 · Post by **jkg263** » 16 Oct 2021, 17:53

I've been struggling with this issue for a year. I have a 2012 XC60 and the issue started as the fan running with the car off. Changed Fan Controller only with aftermarket part, which caught fire 2 weeks later and burned connector cables back about a foot. Spliced new power cables and ECM cable into remaining harness and purchase aftermarket fan and controller, however fan ran immediately again. Change coolant temp sensor after reading about it on this forum, but didn't work. Controller gave out again when I had to use the car for an emergency and reconnect the battery. Soooo Now I purchased authentic Volvo controller and fan, which took weeks to find, as Volvo has reissued new controller and fan....... BACK to original Fan running full time again...........Any ideas, could this be a thermostat? I did get a weird warning about low coolant and coolant level is fine.......

Dzikiewicz · Post by **Dzikiewicz** » 18 Oct 2021, 09:55

I'm not sure, but it sounds to me you have a distribution on the system. A few years ago my whole dash lit up because my power steering pump (electric power steering pump, not belt driven) was on the way out, which messed up the whole line of electronics. Replaced the pump and problem went away. But since your getting a low coollant warning with not having low coollant I will guess your having a similar problem.

Radiator Cooling Fan Won't Turn Off (2010 Volvo XC60 T6)

Re: Radiator Cooling Fan Won't Turn Off (2010 Volvo XC60 T6)