Both cooling fans come on when you turn car on or is just one supposed to come on and do both come on with A/C running?

Tiny
DEESHAH
  • MEMBER
  • 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA
  • 190,000 MILES
Car listed above is an ltz. Just trying to find out how the coolant fans are supposed to work for this model so I can know if mine are working right.
Sunday, June 20th, 2021 AT 9:12 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Just confirming what you are asking. Are you saying that both fans come on when the engine is started? If so, is the A/C on when you start the engine?

Here is a guide that talks about electric fans in more detail:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-an-electric-cooling-fan-works

The way these work is you left fan should be the coolant fan meaning it will come on when the engine gets warm to keep it from overheating.

If the engine gets close to 220-240 degrees then the other fan will come on to keep the engine cool.

The other fan is the condenser fan that will come on when the A/C is on. However this means that both fans will be on when the A/C is on because when the A/C comes on they make sure the engine will not overheat so they turn them both on.

Do both fans run when you start the engine and it is cold?
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Monday, June 21st, 2021 AT 6:36 PM
Tiny
DEESHAH
  • MEMBER
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This problem just started a week ago I'm having is when I turn the A/C on both fans do not come on the one on the drivers side I have to tap on the back of the fan motor and then that sidekicks right on the passenger sidekicks right on immediately when the A/C is turned on. I cleaned the plug going into the driver side fan with Electronic cleaner over the weekend. Does this possibly mean that the fan motor is going out? It's an Lt 3.5 liter V6.
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Monday, June 21st, 2021 AT 6:53 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Just to be clear, you tap on the back of the fan and it kicks on?

If this is the case then yes, you need to replace the fan motor. You can confirm this by checking the voltage at the fan to see if it is being commanded on.

I attached the info below on how to do this from the manual.

Let me know if you have questions.
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Tuesday, June 22nd, 2021 AT 6:47 PM

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