rad fan issue

sprocket007 · Post by **sprocket007** » 11 Mar 2020, 01:46

hello from Canada
2001 volvo v70xc
I seem to have a rad fan issue, I never see the radiator fan running...
new coolant temp sensor and thermostat
the gauge never moves from the exact centre of the dash gauge
I have VIDA and can activate the fan via computer control however, i'm suspicious if the fan is operationally functioning properly because I never see the fan running, even after I park the car after driving , it seems like the engine is hot, the fan doesn't run... I haven't had any overheating issues yet... But, I don't wanna wait for that and my gauge is always right in the centre...
any tips or tests?
thanks,
Wade

Post by **abscate** » 11 Mar 2020, 03:51

This time of year in Alberta , I would be surprised to hear the fan running.

How about in summer, those 3 days in June ?

ignatz · Post by **ignatz** » 11 Mar 2020, 06:40

I almost never hear the coolant fan on our 01, 02 and 05 Volvo. The gauge numbingly sits dead center and never moves.
One time on my previous 01 T5M, while idling in my driveway, I saw the temperature gauge start to rise. I shut the car off and found a "nut" that a red squirrel put between the fan blade and shroud. After that, I started to trust the gauge more.
Also, if the gauge does not come up to dead center after the warm up time period, it gets a new thermostat and maybe a new temperature sensor.

Post by **oragex** » 11 Mar 2020, 07:59

The genuine radiators cool extremely well - my fan rarely kicks in during hot summer days when I'm stuck in traffic. Try to read the coolant temp in Vida, but the fan will only spin above 105C or so. However in warm days, it should start spinning at low speed as soon as the A/C is ON

Post by **Mike Langlois** » 11 Mar 2020, 09:22

I am having the exact same problem with my 2002 V70 X/C. While idling in the driveway, the car overheated. It burned the fan connector and blew the 60 amp fuse (annoyingly located on the bottom of the fuse block). Once the connector was repaired and the fuse replaced, no fan. Car heats up until the temp gauge is centered and it continues to idle happily. Car is scheduled for new power steering pump, new A/C compressor and a new alternator, so I can not check the fan by turning on the A/C yet...

sprocket007 · Post by **sprocket007** » 11 Mar 2020, 12:55

oragex wrote: ↑11 Mar 2020, 07:59 The genuine radiators cool extremely well - my fan rarely kicks in during hot summer days when I'm stuck in traffic. Try to read the coolant temp in Vida, but the fan will only spin above 105C or so. However in warm days, it should start spinning at low speed as soon as the A/C is ON

Thanks,
I'll look at this closer in VIDA and with A/C.
I can hear the A/C relay click but,fan spinning, perhaps, the coolant temp isnt high enough and im concerned for nothing...
Just hoping to prevent problems before its a crisis lol
Thanks
Wade

Post by **darrylrobert** » 13 Mar 2020, 05:44

i also cant remember if ive heard it working. tried the other day to force my 2001 xc70 fan to work and couldnt. Is there a way to test them without VIDA, shouldnt it turn on when the A/C is activated? ..it was a hot day +25C coolant temp reached 90c according to my scantool.

Post by **abscate** » 13 Mar 2020, 05:51

darrylrobert wrote: ↑13 Mar 2020, 05:44 i also cant remember if ive heard it working. tried the other day to force my 2001 xc70 fan to work and couldnt. Is there a way to test them without VIDA, shouldnt it turn on when the A/C is activated? ..it was a hot day +25C coolant temp reached 90c according to my scantool.

The fan won't come on until the coolant reaches about 105C, so no worries. 90C is the thermostat temperature so it will never go below that temperature.