My dad's S60 has a possessed engine fan. Yes, I've searched, and yes I know it is normal for the fan to run on these after the car has been turned off for some time. This fan doesn't actually turn off.

To test this, I have let the car sit for the past 3 days, with the fan unplugged. This afternoon (ambient temp 50 degrees F) I popped the hood and plugged the fan in. Sure enough, the fan started right up. It proceeded to run for 30 minutes before I unplugged it again to save the battery from dying.

The dealer said the entire cooling system needed to be replaced, and that the radiator is cracked too. I have a hard time believing that because there are no apparent coolant leaks, and coolant levels are normal. Is there some kind of sensor that can be replaced? The fan is obviously working, but is getting faulty information from somewhere. Any help would be much appreciated.

 

I am new to volvos so take my info cautiously. I am not sure what the mechanic means by the entire cooling system is bad. I would think that if the car was dead cold the fan would be off. I looked on rock auto for you. the 02 s60 has something called a radiator fan switch it is a relay/ temp sensor combo....$31.......i bet that is the issue........if it was me I would pull the relay off and check the connections for corrosion maybe it just needs to be cleaned and electrical grease.

 

It's either that switch or the ECT/thermostat unit has gone bad. Any idea where that switch/relay is located so I can pull it and check the one I have?

 

like i said i am new to volvos but i am not sure what the ect/thermostats would have to do with a cold eng and then fan malfunctioning.go to rock auto and look the part up there is a pic of it .it has a ect looking sensor attached to a wire which is attached to a relay.to findit just follow the wire from the fan to the housing on the engine.........maybe the coolant is low and that effects the sensor?

 

Volvo at one time had a recall on the cooling fans. The resistor's were going bad and keeping the fan on or it did not work at all.

That might be the issue you are having. If it was the ECT the temp gauge would be in the red most of the time.

 

Temp gauge is not normally in the red, only when not moving.. Got it into the high zone this afternoon sitting in traffic (ambient temp +70F), then once it started moving again the temp gauge dropped.

I'm going to order both that switch from Rock Auto as well as a new ECT/Thermostat. Hopefully it's one or the other.

 

You might end up having to buy a new cooling fan assembly.
Check with local dealer as well to make sure all recalls have been performed.

 

Any luck finding out what is was? I came out of a restaurant tonight in 50 degree weather and my cooling fan was on the hole time, I had to unplug it to get it to turn off