Cooling fan issues

[barryg]

Ok iv done the search thing and there is a lot of issues with cooling fans on vag cars, but this is my problem

When in traffic with air con on, both radiator fans will come on full power about every 3-5 min, I dont think they come on when driving hard to tell obviously. If i turn off aircon the fans dont seem to come on at all. Engine temp has never went over 90.

What is the normal operation for the fans??

Should they be on constantly in low power when a/c is on? Mine only on every few min at high power.

Any help greatly appreciated
cheers

 

[barryg]

My car is a 05 would it be covered by warranty????

 

[cupra jay]

dont think there is anything wrong, its just using your air con uses quite alot of engine power so thats going to cause the engine to get hotter. on my mates fiesta his fan comes on automaticly wen the air con is swithed on to prevent over heating.

 

[Alice_Cupra]

Sounds like it could be the the usual "knackered slow speed fan syndrome" which can affect Leons.

There are 2 fans on the radiator, one large and fast, and one smaller and slow. If you use the aircon, the smaller fan will be on most of the time (Popo the bonnet up and have a look when idling the car to check)

What can happen is that the smaller slow fan breaks, and then you are left with the larger faster fan only.

If this has happened, when sat in traffic with the air con on, you will suddenly be deafened by the fast fan for about ten seconds, and then it all goes quiet again for a few minutes.

The whole fan assembly needs to be replaced. Not cheap, but should be covered under warranty.

Happened to me and got them changed no problem.

 

[barryg]

Sounds like it could be the the usual "knackered slow speed fan syndrome" which can affect Leons.

There are 2 fans on the radiator, one large and fast, and one smaller and slow. If you use the aircon, the smaller fan will be on most of the time (Popo the bonnet up and have a look when idling the car to check)

What can happen is that the smaller slow fan breaks, and then you are left with the larger faster fan only.

If this has happened, when sat in traffic with the air con on, you will suddenly be deafened by the fast fan for about ten seconds, and then it all goes quiet again for a few minutes.

The whole fan assembly needs to be replaced. Not cheap, but should be covered under warranty.

Happened to me and got them changed no problem.

Both my fans are same size, but it sounds like a similar problem.. I still wonder if its the fan control module and not the actual fans, anybody know where it is? As i would prefer to change it myself than having to leave it into a stealers for a day or two.

 

[stpete]

Easy check, with engine cold and ticking over bonnet up neither fan should be running if you turn on aircon (snowflake on unit) fans should turn on constant slow (keeps aircon rad cool), if they come on fast pulsing on and off, slow speed setting on fans is shot! Warranty is three years so an 05 should be good for a claim if they are shot!!

 

[barryg]

Easy check, with engine cold and ticking over bonnet up neither fan should be running if you turn on aircon (snowflake on unit) fans should turn on constant slow (keeps aircon rad cool), if they come on fast pulsing on and off, slow speed setting on fans is shot! Warranty is three years so an 05 should be good for a claim if they are shot!!

Thats exactly what its doing.
I will have to call the stealer tomorrow. The only problem I serviced the car my self the last time so it has not got a stamp in the book since march 06 will that effect the waranty ??
hope not.
Cheers for the info
Barry

 

[barryg]

Ok called into the dealer today not much help . Im out of warranty by 2 months it seems there is only 2 yrs warranty.(tried 2 dealers and SEAT Ireland warranty dept).
It looks like it will cost about 800-1000e to replace the 2 fans. Parts 380e +vat then labour is 98e +vat /hr.

So i think i will resort to plan B check out this post for everything you ever needed to know about condenser fan on VAG cars Its GREAT http://uk-mkivs.net/forums/thread/449470.aspx.
Im going to make this and fit it this weekend. I think its a better idea than forking out nearly 1000e and then they could break again (although the new parts will be covered by a 24 month warranty) my fix wont.

Il keep ya posted....
Barry

 

[barryg]

If it's an 05 plate, wouldn't that make it registered between March 05 and Sept 05? So it can't be two months out of warranty, at most it's a few weeks, are you sure they really know what they're talking about?

Unless of course you just meant it's a 2005 car, which could also be on a 54 plate...

Car delivered 10/01/05.
Im in Ireland 05 plate here is 01 jan 05 to 31 dec 05

 

[Donnyboy]

Is the warranty not 3 years?? I have the same issue now!!

 

[Fray2003]

I had the same issue with my lcr, they found the problem before the warrenty ran out but couldnt get any parts, however the dealer still did the work for me under warrenty. It should be a 3 years warrenty, could be because your in Ireland?

 

[Donnyboy]

cheers for reply. I'm in sunny Scotland so should be ok.....I hope.

 

[barryg]

Got it sorted
Seat ireland eventualy gave me 75% discount on parts, and i fitted them myself.

Works a treat

 

[goble]

there's nothingn wrong with your fans if the a/c is on then the socond fan cuts in the fans that are on there are 3 stage fans and works at different speeds depending on amound to be cooled remember the a/c condensor needs to be cooled to allow the a/c to run at its correct temp desired..
if they work they work.
dont mess with something thats not broken!

 

[Donnyboy]

When I put the aircon on both fans are off. Every so often both fans come on at full speed for about a 10 second burst then go off again. This happens whether the car is stone cold or warm and not matter what the weather. It never did this before and I've had the car from new.

I took it to the garage last night and was told its not a fault and could be caused by a gas build up. I was also told that if I switched the aircon off it didn't do it.

 

[adrianmorris]

Definitely a fault DonnyBoy.

I took my LCR to Sidlow, Gatwick, this week with exactly the same symptoms and am having the fans and the control unit changed next week under warranty. They didn't even have to move the car into the workshop to check it out, I guess they just lifted the bonnet and checked that the fans weren't running with the climate control on.

I would go back to your dealer or phone Seat UK.

I've been looking out for this fault due to reading about it on the forum and luckily for me I've discovered it 10 days before my warranty expires.

Thanks to setcupra.net ! It's saved me from a big bill post warranty.

As to why VAG haven't improved these parts years ago......

 

[Donnyboy]

I have it booked into Bickets in Kilmarnock on the 3rd May. Bit of a trek for me to get there but they give me a car FOC and know what they're doing.

Heard good reports about them too. Just hope they know its a fault though.

 

[spikeydoo]

Thanks people - this has been bugging me for a couple of months now & I have just done the test as per STPETE & it's exactly the problem:

No fans with the air-con on, then they cut in at full power for approx 10secs.

Got right on the phone to the dealer explained the deal & that it's booked in for a service next month & they have ordered the fan setup for replacement.

Big thanks to all SCN

 

[steelyglint]

Can I just ask a quick stupid question?
Is it normal that both fans run continuously with air con on even when the car is stone cold? i.e. just started. ( 2000 leon cupra 20vt auq)

 

[barryg]

ya its normal, both fans will run continously at low speed when a/c is on.