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Electric fan turning on and off

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Old Nov 5, 2015 | 08:21 AM
  #1  
Fiskdog's Avatar
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Default Electric fan turning on and off

I did some searching but can't find an answer. When I start my car and it is idling I hear something turn on in the engine bay for a few seconds and then turn off repeatedly. I believe its the electric fan but it keeps doing it constantly. Even after driving for a few minutes. Is that normal or should I be worried?

Thanks
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Old Nov 5, 2015 | 08:40 AM
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Fred/N0AZZ's Avatar
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AC compressor most likely if it is on cool or heat it runs with both of them and noticeable when it coms on. Just get out and pop the hood and see what it is for sure.
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Old Nov 5, 2015 | 09:28 AM
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Yeah, sounds normal to me.
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Old Nov 5, 2015 | 12:06 PM
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In my 99 the fan and ac clutch cycle together. Its on all the ac settings as well as defrost.
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Old Nov 5, 2015 | 03:07 PM
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There's a temperature switch on the evaporator that turns the compressor off at 45f. When you run defrost in cold weather, the evap stays cold, so the compressor cycles frequently.

Last edited by ehall; Nov 5, 2015 at 06:49 PM.
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Old Nov 5, 2015 | 04:00 PM
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Normal for a "CAR".
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Old Nov 5, 2015 | 06:00 PM
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Ok thanks "Ken" buy it cycled every 15 sec or so. Just doesn't sound right.
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Old Nov 5, 2015 | 06:29 PM
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Originally Posted by Fiskdog
Ok thanks "Ken" buy it cycled every 15 sec or so. Just doesn't sound right.
Is this with AC, defrost, or bi level turned on, or with the climate control mode selector off (O)?
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Old Nov 5, 2015 | 06:47 PM
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It could be a worn out mechanical fan clutch cycling. It will roar then go quiet, on and on.

I had a POS Hayden clutch do this to me. It even cycled on and off while I was driving down the road. It was so bad I thought my engine was throwing a seven. Installed a good clutch from NAPA and tossed the Hayden in the trash.
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