Hi

Problem with Fabia I 1.9TDI raditor fans (I think?)

We were driving our Fabia the other day in the heat with air con on full blast. When we pulled in to stop there was a horrible noise from what we thought was the front dash, like a fan shattering, but this then stopped, as we drove away (after inspecting under the bonnet for any obvious signs) there was a noise from the front of the car as though we had a stone in the wheel or something which was turning was broken.

We pulled in and on starting again the noise had stopped, so we decided to drive it home (carefully), again no noise on the way home, but did notice the mpg had dropped by about 6mpg (air con was NOT on). No real rise in the temperature gauge was noticed, so we left it overnight and started it again in the morning. Again no noise so took it for a test drive and the car was acting fine, power was as normal and no noticeable noise from anywhere (gave it a run of probably 20 miles). Then we checked to see if the radiator fans were working and they weren't. They spin freely and no blades are broken. There are two raditor fans, one small, one large. Then left the car idling for about half an hour from cold and then gently reved it for a while, but the fans did not come on (after over an hour). Took it for another drive and could not see the fans working whenever we stopped to check them. This is worring - as we have to take the car on a long run from North Scotland to Yorkshire very soon. (The only other thing we did notice was the air con did not seem as cold as it used to be - but we could be mistaken - it was very hot here at the time.)

What I would like to know is:

1. Why two radiator fans and what are their purpose.

2. Should they be running all the time or very very intermittently or not at all like ours seem to be doing.

3. Could I knacker the engine up if I go on a long run.

As usual any advice would be gratefully received and any ideas on what it could be that has broken (something obviously has). I do not want to take it to the local Skoda dealer for a diagnosic yet as they are VERY VERY expensive.

Thanks in advance.

When you put the aircon on does the fans work then? on the top of your battery under a cover is some flat metal fuses, check these are all ok and not snapped (blown) i cant remeber which one of the top of my head but one of them powers the fans if one is blown change it and see if they work then

When you put the aircon on does the fans work then? on the top of your battery under a cover is some flat metal fuses, check these are all ok and not snapped (blown) i cant remeber which one of the top of my head but one of them powers the fans if one is blown change it and see if they work then

Hi

The fans do not work with the air con on, and just checked the fuses and all are OK. Should the fans work all the time once car is up to normal operating temperature?

Thanks

The fans will come on when needed but will come on everytime the aircon is switched on. You may need to bridge the fans to see if they still work, if they dont come on then the fans will need replacing if they do then you may need a new fan module at a guess

and just to double check you have checked these fuses arrowed? they dont look like traditional fuses just metal strips, they sometimes dont blow like normal fuses either as some just bend or chip or crack slightly

The fans will come on when needed but will come on everytime the aircon is switched on. You may need to bridge the fans to see if they still work, if they dont come on then the fans will need replacing if they do then you may need a new fan module at a guess

Bridge the fans? do you mean running wires from the battery down to fans?or do you mean using a multimeter check for 12v diff on the 3 wires and shorting the 2 that need it<br>

Edited 6 June, 201016 yr by The Worm