VW Golf Mk3 VR6 - How to Test Radiator Fan

Paperclip to connect Red wire to Low and High speed wire. Test to ensure the radiator fan is functioning.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• VW
• Golf
• mk3
• radiator
• fan
• how
• to
• vr6
• gti

[jbagg69]

I have a problem with my fan not cutting in. it does work because I have it hooked up direct now. Just wonder if you can give me some insight on how to fix this problem. thanks Justin

[neilsco]

Sounds like it could be a faulty Radiator Fan Switch. It is exactly were the socket plugs in on the radiator. It's a cheap brass part that triggers low fan speed and high fan speed depending on temperature. Removing it from the radiator will cause some coolant loss. Get a rag ready. Check your fuses first.

[Licenced2chill]

Update:

No worries mate,it turned out to be the fan switch which was a lot cheaper to fix!!

VR6s ROCK.

[neilsco]

Great stuff! Cheers for the update

[Licenced2chill]

Hi,

Is that an OBD1 or OBD2 VR6?

Also does it have aircon?

I have a OBD2 with aircon and my plug is different to the one in your video.Think its got 6 pins in it rather than 3...

As your fans worked fine,I don't suppose its worth asking how big a job it is to replace the motor/fan unit?

I guess it will cost a packet as usual.

Think my fan motor is screwed as it made some intermitent "gravel in a bottle" noises,now its not working.Grumble.

[neilsco]

It's a OBD2 Golf VR6 1996 with 2 fans (no Aircon)

I have no experience of replacing the fan motor. I would try it myself if I needed to change it. VWvortex forums - search their archives for good advice.

Try to avoid idling for long with the fans not functioning. Engine started to overheat and leaked some oil.

Thank yourself for spotting it - easily overlooked.

[leperkuan]

If no high gear fan motor is faulty??

[mysqueeker]

@Camblec that will happen being as your shorting out the contact. LOL

[berd219]

my high speeds not working...what do i do??

[Camblec]

Paperclip got insanely hot in a matter of seconds when testing the high speed and burnt my fingers.

[dasilviaking]

a my will not clip in easy and the wire that connect to the aditor wiggles out after driveing do you have any idea what i should do

[carnstar]

@neilsco hey since you have a vw and a golf; i just bought a used golf 3 95' its turns on great! love it!. anyways when i turn off the car the time and date is on when the cars off... and second the odometer doesnt seem to work.. everything else works fine.... just the mph gauge and i think the rev one too.. any thoughts? thanks in advance

[wolfii777]

So I have a question about my radiator fan.

My car overheats when it idles at stoplights, but not when I'm driving (because air intake is cooling it off, of course), but I replaced the thermostat and the coolant temp sensor, and put plenty of coolant back in directly to the radiator hose.

My car STILL overheats at stoplights, but the temp gauge only goes up so far, (just below the red), and then sinks back down to a normal level.

Delayed?

Any thoughts as to the problem?

[sqwuade]

@mnesbitt906 Was the ignition engaged for you test or, better yet, motor running? I had my motor running and it kicked into high-speed mode but once I shut the motor off the fan wouldn't come on during the high-speed test.

[sqwuade]

It should be noted that to kick the fan into high speed mode the ignition needs to be engaged (Won't kick in on high speed for this test without).

[thinkofmybaby]

how would u know if its not the relay