I HAVE TO POST THIS DIFFERENT WAYS
My 2008 XC90 radiator fan did not work the other day and overheated on my daughter leaving her stranded in Philadelphia. I brought the car home on my low bed trailer and inspected the plug for the fan with, the A/C tuned on I pulled the plug and reinserted it into the fan and the fan started working again. I drove it around my home town for about 20 mins., and returned home and the fan was still running and A/C was ice cold. I shut the motor down and then started it back up again and the fan hasn't worked since. My question is, how do you check the fan to see if its the fan that's bad? There are three pins inside the female end on the fan itself. Two big blades ( Hot & Ground ) and there is a tiny blade? I already tried putting the pos and neg directly to the battery with no results but im not sure if I need to do something to the tiny post as well????? Any help would be super> Thanks in advance.

 

Surely the radiator cooling fan will not operate unless the engine temperature exceeds the appropriate cut in point.
Mine (V40) starts at 101 degrees C
Leave the engine running, on idle whilst stationery for a while which should after a reasonable period of time raise the coolant temperature sufficient for it to start the radiator fan, assuming a fault does not indeed exist of course.
The temperature gauge wont necessarily be up to the red for this to happen.
I get actual coolant temp' readings from my 'Ultragauge' display hence the 101 degree C activation consistently

 

I understand mine should turn on at around 195-200% but its not. It doesn't even turn on when you switch on the a/c which is supposed to go on immediately with the a/c if im not mistaken?

 

Yes, your AC fan should operate as soon as the AC is activated.
Your readings in fahrenheit seem to point to your RAD fan coming on at a bit lower temperature than mine does. (different year/model too)
Thermostats are available with varying open and close temperature that can account for differences between individual vehicles.
Have you looked at the coolant temp' sensor?

 

Have you seen the below post re coolant fan problem.
Bad connectors. Could be your issue?
Temp sensors are located on thermostat housing for most Volvo's.

http://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/for...ic.php?t=11429

 

HELP - is this the same problem or something else? I detailed my situation down below. I'd prefer to NOT replace the whole unit if I can go in a different direction.

2010 Volvo XC60 T6 (59K miles) - Engine cooling fan won't shut off. The LOWER RIGHT fan is the one that won't stop while the UPPER LEFT one has stopped. To completely shut off the fan, I disconnected the battery (+). I reconnect the battery, and the fan still runs without turning the car on. Previous posts say you need to replace the whole fan unit or shroud. My initial over the phone estimates FROM NON-DEALER Volvo specialists were about $1000. PLEASE HELP - any and all feedback is greatly appreciated.

- Could this just be a fuse? (I doubt I could be that lucky).
- Good PRICE ESTIMATE for parts and labor?
- How many ESTIMATED LABOR HOURS? One specialist recommended 3 to 4 hours while on other sites it seemed fairly doable from a knowledgeable tech, it just took extra care moving the cables and getting it in properly behind the radiator.
- One place said he could check the valve/sensor and that would be around $450 but, almost always just replace entire fan unit for the $1000
- Any feedback regarding www.yourmechanic.com to do something like this?
- ANY OTHER VIABLE SUGGESTIONS (lose cable, worn out clip, etc.) TO LOOK AT IT??????

I'm no mechanic but, good at working through things. IS THIS DOABLE FOR A DIY PERSON as I really can't spend the $1000 at the moment. OR, WOULD YOU RECOMMEND AVOIDING THE HASSLE and PAYING THE SPECIALIST????

I've seen this posted in a similar post but, have additional questions and would like to request additional feedback. THANK YOU SO MUCH IN ADVANCE! This forum has been a savior in the past and hope to hear back!

 

what was the final fix?