Cooling Fans Work Intermittently?

2016 NISSAN ROGUE
178,900 MILES • 2.5L • 4WD • AUTOMATIC
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JAMESHUFF12
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  • 2 POSTS
On my 2016 Nissan Rogue SV I have this issue with the cooling fans. The cooling fans did not work, so I replaced some fuses. This fixed the problem for a while and then about a month later it stopped working. I tried it again, and this time it didn’t work, so I took the car to a mechanic and we had the cooling fans replaced. This worked for about a month and then once again, the cooling fans did not work.

I then replaced the engine coolant temperature sensor and this fix a problem for about a month. Now it doesn’t work again. I recently took it to an automotive electrical shop, and they said they cannot determine what’s wrong with it. The cooling fans will come on if you hot wire them. Put power directly to them. Any suggestions?
Jul 27, 2026 at 2:59 PM

What to check next

Diagnostic guidance. Suggested checks and possible repairs are separate from the owner's reported results.

Have the shop command the fans with a suitable bidirectional scan tool while checking coolant-temperature data and the applicable fan-control circuit. Direct power making the motors run does not verify the vehicle's control path or every operating speed. During the failure, compare the control command with loaded power and ground at the correct test points. Inspect connectors for heat damage and identify why any fuse actually opened; do not fit a higher-rated fuse or leave a permanent bypass. Keep clear of fans that may start unexpectedly, and stop driving if the engine overheats. Capturing the missing command or supply during the fault is the next useful step. It can avoid another replacement that only appears to help temporarily.

Guidance references and applicability

HELLA: Cooling-system checks https://www.hella.com/techworld/ae/technical/car-cooling-system/cooling-system-check/ General cooling and fan-circuit diagnostic reference. The actual Nissan circuit, fan commands and test limits require matching service information. Fluke: Diagnosing voltage drops https://www.fluke.com/en/learn/blog/automotive/electrical-automotive-troubleshooting Supports checking electrical feeds and grounds under load. Vehicle wiring, connector identification and acceptable measurements must come from the matching service information.

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AI-ASSISTED GUIDANCE · REVIEWED BY 2CARPROS
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MECHTRIX
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 549 POSTS
Check the fan relay its in the power control mudual in the engine compartment....its basically the only thing in the list of parts you can replace outside of the ecu seems like you already changed the rest good luck hope this helps .
Jul 27, 2026 at 6:21 PM
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JAMESHUFF12
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Hey, thanks for the reply. I believe they were tested at the last mechanic, I asked and he said they were working.
Jul 28, 2026 at 7:27 AM
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MECHTRIX
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 549 POSTS
Ok the only other thing you can do at this point if all the parts are operating correctly use a bi directiinal scan tool and use the specail functions for the
the fans to test them through the ecu
Jul 28, 2026 at 3:37 PM
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Discussion summary

Cooling Fans Work Intermittently?

The owner of a 2016 Nissan Rogue reported recurring cooling-fan failure after fuse, fan and coolant-temperature-sensor replacements. The fans reportedly operated with direct power. A shop had not located the intermittent fault, and a contributor suggested testing fan commands with a compatible scan tool.

Reported outcome: No lasting repair was reported.

The fuse failures, relay tests and bypass connections were not documented. The discussion does not establish a failed control module.

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AI-ASSISTED SUMMARY · REVIEWED BY 2CARPROS
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