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Issue with car fan

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car fan issue
6K views 40 replies 8 participants last post by  GetJack3d 
#1 ·
Ihave the same exact issue with my car as so many other people do. When I run the A/C the fan underthe hood turns on every 20 seconds, will stay on really loud for 10 seconds,then will shut off. About 20 seconds later it will turn on again for 10seconds. This constantly happens all the time!
So many other people have this same exact issue and the dealership fixed itunder the power train warranty! Something about a temperature sensor?
I brought my car to the dealership today and they want to charge me $600 to fixit...they want to replace the entire fan because they can't figure out what iswrong!!!

Help!!!! This is ridiculous


 
#5 ·
I agree with hificruzer, have someone else look at it. Just throwing parts at an issue without some sort of rational is a waste of time and money.
 
#11 ·
The thermostat is a power train warranty item. Not sure if the main cooling fan is though.
 
#13 ·
Ihave the same exact issue with my car as so many other people do. When I run the A/C the fan underthe hood turns on every 20 seconds, will stay on really loud for 10 seconds,then will shut off. About 20 seconds later it will turn on again for 10seconds.
Fan cycling with A/C is normal. The noise level is the issue. The Cruze has a 3-speed fan. The question is, is if the fan excessively noisy or is something wrong that it has to go into high and is skipping the lower speeds? From what I understand, "high" will get your attention, but should be rare.
 
#15 ·
Fan cycling is normal.....it is turned on to cool the evap core and reduce low side pressure.....so, it essentially cycles on and off as commanded.

However, you are indicating that the fan seems to be running at a very high (read noisey) speed.

Is this car new to you?.....or, is this fan operation on this car a new development that was not evident last air conditioning season?
Might be worthwhile to stop by the dealer and see if they'll run a similar car/engine/model for you to hear and observe.....since we can't do much about sound using the written word here.

Also, this diagnosis business.....I absolutely agree with the charge for a accurate diagnosis....let me repeat.....a ACCURATE diagnosis.
Being told that a replacement fan MIGHT fix it is NOT a accurate diagnosis......and, since the fan still operates how in the heck can it have anything to with speed?....it is a D.C. motor that only operates with the voltage being sent to it......it is the end of the line, not the beginning.

Cold day in EL you'd pull a hundred bucks out of my clammy hands for that level of diagnosis......might want to stand your ground on that.

From there, I'd find another dealer, with your detailed story (IE fan motor business) If you are certain that your vehicle is operating differently than a similar model.

Keep in touch,
Rob
 
#16 ·
and, since the fan still operates how in the heck can it have anything to with speed?....it is a D.C. motor that only operates with the voltage being sent to it......it is the end of the line, not the beginning.
IIRC, the fan is a 3-speed. The speed is controlled by which terminals of the fan are made hot. I would have thought they would have a simple fan and some kind of electronic speed control, but no, this seems to have a lot of wiring and relays. Bottom line, unless I'm missing something, I wouldn't rule out the possibility that the fan motor has lost a low speed "winding". Then again, it could be a low speed relay. And there may be more than one fuse ....

It kinda leaves you wondering what subsidiary designed it. Because the design style sure seems to be in sharp contrast to the way the rest of the electrical system was done.

But even so, it seems like it shouldn't take an Einstein to figure out what part is bad. If they just want to throw parts at it, find another place.
 
#17 ·
I'd run from that dealer or at least make them print out the DTC's that lead them to the diagnosis, the fan motor is not likely bad since the fan runs, that alone makes me think go elsewhere, the motor is a simple 12V motor with 2 resistors built in to make for 3 speeds, now since it runs full speed you know the motor it's self is NOT bad and if one of the 2 resistors is open it would not run low or medium speed-which is not in your concern you brought it in for so this dealer is full of it--
to understand the system for fan control, there are 2 thermistor heat sensors, one on the radiator and one on the engine, now if either sensor is out of spec as to the temperature to resistance the engine control module will turn the fan on and set a DTC, for the kind of money they are charging you could go out and buy a new laptop or cell phone and a $12 Bluetooth OBII reader and pull the DTCs yourself, the sensors are not going to cost much--
And if you want to troubleshoot it further yourself post back and I can get you the temperature to resistance values for the sensors-both have the same temp-resistance values, geeez no wonder everybody hates the dealers
 
#18 ·
Geeze. Looking at the cooling system schematic. 3 fuses, 5 relays.

I'd check fuse F42. If that opens, you have no medium speed, which might force the system to command high speed from time to time. The other two fuses have to be OK for high speed to work.

Relay KR20C controls low speed, and KR20P controls medium speed. The other three have to work for high speed to run. The relays are part of the underhood fuse block.
 
#19 ·
I'm really not familiar with cars other than the basicterminology. I've asked the dealership to supply me with an outline of theirdiagnosis and the steps they want to take for repairs. I'll provide theirreport once I receive it.

Thanks for all the comments -- I appreciate all of you!
 
#21 ·
Ihave the same exact issue with my car as so many other people do. When I run the A/C the fan underthe hood turns on every 20 seconds, will stay on really loud for 10 seconds,then will shut off. About 20 seconds later it will turn on again for 10seconds. This constantly happens all the time!
So many other people have this same exact issue and the dealership fixed itunder the power train warranty! Something about a temperature sensor?
I brought my car to the dealership today and they want to charge me $600 to fixit...they want to replace the entire fan because they can't figure out what iswrong!!!

Help!!!! This is ridiculous
Hello GetJack3d,

I'm sorry to learn of the A/C concern you're currently experiencing with your Chevrolet Cruze. We certainly understand how unsettling out of pocket expenses can be, so we do apologize for the outcome. Although we can't guarantee a different resolution, we'd be happy to look into this further. Feel free to send your VIN, contact information, preferred dealership and mileage in a private message.

We hope to receive a message from you soon :)

Jasmine F
Chevrolet Customer Care
 
#24 ·
Here’s verbatim what the service advisor at the ChevyDealership said.

“We found that the fan is not blowing at the lower speed.Found either the fan motor not working on low speed, or the module not sendinglow speed command. Both parts are included in the fan assembly. Recommendreplacing the fan assembly (comes with module).
Part #13427161 = $308.78
Labor $256
Shop fee = $59.95
Tax = $43.73
Total = $668.46

 
#25 ·
“We found that the fan is not blowing at the lower speed.Found either the fan motor not working on low speed, or the module not sendinglow speed command. Both parts are included in the fan assembly. Recommendreplacing the fan assembly (comes with module).
Part #13427161 = $308.78
Labor $256
Shop fee = $59.95
Tax = $43.73
Total = $668.46
The part number given is just the fan motor assembly. Given the crapton of control circuits, their statement "Found either the fan motor not working on low speed, or the module not sending low speed command" to be unsettling. The statement "Both parts are included in the fan assembly" is FALSE.

I also realized something after shutting down my computer: If relay KR20E or KR20F sticks closed, there will be no medium speed - the fan will jump to high speed when medium is commanded.
 
#26 ·
So they did not give any DTC's--they are just guessing--at your expense ! the "module" would be the engine control module and I'm sure it's not cheep and does not look like it's included in the estimate, the service manual has various tests they can perform with the scan tool to run the fan at the various speeds and the temperature senders I mentioned, if out of spec or "skewed" then it could be the problem, the ECM may be seeing not expected readings out of the temp sender and doing the hi speed on/off or it could even be AC system related, the dealer REALLY needs to do the proper diagnosis with the scan tool, the books are real clear on the steps---
 
#32 ·
I would ask for your original parts back, dont sign the box that say you dont want them back. That way you can test what was replaced. They are required to give them back. That will also force the tech to only replace the part that isnt functioning because they will know you are gonna test the old defective equipment.
 
#33 ·
So, the fan assembly comes with the resistor....Sounds possible, however, is that to say the resistor is not available as a sevice part?

And, if it is......why are they pushing the assembly on you?

Of course, if it isn't well.......guess you'll have to give us the rest of story once replaced.

Rob
 
#35 · (Edited)
Update...I contacted the dealership and requested they guarantee the work. They responded

"Yes we guarantee this will fix it before it leaves. If for any reason this did not fix your issue, I wouldn't charge you at all. And the repairs come with a 12 month unlimited mileage warranty"

I have this in writing (email)

I guess I'll pay the $700 since they guarantee the repair will work.
 
#40 ·
They didn't fix your complaint - I say they fix it on their dime.

If they couldn't tell the difference between a bad fan and a A/C problem, then clearly they botched the diagnostics. There's no way they should have made a mistake between what the fan did and what the car was commanding.
 
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