Electric Fan Problem

[Par]

I have a problem with the electric engine cooling fans cutting in on my LCR even when cold. Initially I thought it was the hot weather we have been having but it does it from cold start after about 30 secs, blows for 6 seconds then stops, this is repeated every 30 - 40 seconds. However if I have the air con switched off the fans stay off.

It is booked in at the dealers to have a look on Wednesday as I have a 400 mile trip at the weekend, so want to make sure the fans work when they should.

Does anyone have any suggestions of what the fault could be so it gets fixed properly.

thanks

Par

 

[Par]

Just back from the dealers, they cant diagnose the fault and have called SEAT Technical and waiting on a response.

Why do faults always require at least 2 trips to the dealers to get a fix, is it just SEAT or are all manufacturers the same?

Par

 

[Songman]

Just tried mine to ckeck - It does the same - I`m pretty sure it is standard operation, probably to provide through draught to air con heat exchanger whilst stationary

 

[Saul]

standard practice mate, they dont train them to use spanners anymore, just diagnostic machines.

 

[Par]

Songman

Interesting that yours does this also as I know for a fact that this did not happen previously on mine. Something has changed on mine either something that was broken is now working or vice versa.

They did take the demo LCR into the workshop to compare and it wasnt happening on the demo. I will keep you posted on what SEAT technical say.

Par

 

[Songman]

It probably all depends on how much work you are asking the air con to perform - if you switch the air con off, the fans should stop, because there is no demand for the system - once you turn the air con on, it may have a lot of work to do, depending on the demand created by the difference between ambient temp and the interior preset temperature you request.
Thus there may be a lot of heat for the system condenser to dissipate - you need airflow across the condenser in order to perform that task - hence the fans

 

[Feel]

Have a read of this - post 26 gets to the point.

Edited to include link http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?t=40723&highlight=speed+fan

I have the same "issue" with mine - dealer says "nothing wrong". I will be interested in hearing what your dealer says.

 

[Par]

Feel,

Thanks for the link, thats exactly the issue I have.

Still no reply from SEAT Technical yet, I wonder if they will say this is not a known fault!

Par

 

[Songman]

Thanks for the link Phil - my car must be OK as the fans are on low speed with air con on startup - never myself had any fan related/overheating problems as yet in 36000 miles - must be lucky
Par has to decide which fan speed is being activated - if high speed, then probably fan relay is faulty - if low speed then maybe all is well

 

[Par]

It is definately the high speed fans that are cutting.

It does make me laugh when it cuts in while waiting at pedestrian crossings as the pedestrians think I am about to run them over.

 

[Songman]

Sorry you indeed appear to have a problem,Par - hot foot to the dealers, I think, and start beating the big drum!! - I would tell them you want the fan motors changed too, as well as the relays on account of the stress caused to them by intermittant full load startups
Goodluck!

 

[techie]

Quite often the fan control unit that sits under the n/s chassis leg under the battery gets water either in the control unit or in the connectors, creates all sorts of problems with the fans.

 

[simonadam]

Par, sounds similar to what I have experienced over the last year started off similar to what you are experiencing then after a while started blowing fuses and overheating. Had the Water Pump replaced yesterday to try to resolve the problem.

Si

 

[20vtB0b]

Mine has just started doing this as well (over the last two weeks). Last week I put it down to the hot weather, but it has been doing it this week as well. Booked in to Seat Camberley on Monday, fingers crossed they will figure it out. The problem is that it doesn't always happen - I wonder if their diagnostics will actually see anything ?

Bob

 

[Par]

Dont hold your breath Bob.

Mine went to the dealers a week ago and I am still waiting on them calling me back with the diagnosis from SEAT Technical.

Did over 400 miles on Sunday and the temp gauge stayed bang on 90 degrees all the way so I dont think there is any risk of short term damage. However as others have pointed it out it may have a long term affect on the life of the fans.

Par

 

[Ruddmeister]

Also carry an extra fuse, type that sits on the top of the battery. This can blow, then you have no fans and temps rise quickly. Not the sort that's readily available, it's a flat metal strip.

Whether these fuses blowing is related to the extra amount the fans are on is anyones guess.

My dealer gave me a fuse and it's been sat in the car and never needed alhtough my fans come on as do all LCR's.

Apart from the fans coming on regularly I have had no issues with fuses in 40k miles plus, but worth getting a fuse and sticking it in the glove box just in case

 

[dontnoanything]

Seat Technical Know The Problem The Slow Speed Of The Cooling Fans Burn Out Thats Why Fans Come On And Of On Fast Speed When Aircon On So Do Not Use Aircon Or Fuse On Battery Will Blow In The End Due To High Current Of Fans Coming On In Fast Speed All The Time. This Fault Is Quite Well Known To Most Seat Dealers

 

[Ruddmeister]

And one day later.........


No the fuse didn't blow but I was doing 90mph this morning and heard a beep, looked down at the temp ws getting up to 110-120 deg backed off to 65mph and it started to fall.

Pulled over and it was falling all the time, sounds like the two fans I have the high speed one is working but the lower speed one isn't.

Ditched the car in TSR this morning and will report back.......

 

[m0rk]

if the water temp rises (do like you did) and put the heaters on full tilt

low revs, low speed (but enough to flow air)

 

[honeyman]

And one day later.........


No the fuse didn't blow but I was doing 90mph this morning and heard a beep, looked down at the temp ws getting up to 110-120 deg backed off to 65mph and it started to fall.

Pulled over and it was falling all the time, sounds like the two fans I have the high speed one is working but the lower speed one isn't.

Ditched the car in TSR this morning and will report back.......

I had this the other month put heaters on full sorted it, then the other morning same thing happened this time trip to the dealers as the water pump had gone. Out of warranty should have cost 200 but luckily Seat contributed 50% parts and labour