Dodge Charger Radiator Fan Not Working – What Are Reasons and Remedies?

If you own a Dodge Charger and your radiator fan is not working, you know it can quickly lead to engine damage. Fortunately, there are several potential causes for this issue that can be relatively easy to identify and fix.

In this article, we’ll discuss the main reasons why your Dodge Chargers radiator fan isn’t working, as well as some possible solutions that may help get it running again. So if you’re having this issue with your car, read on and let’s get started.

Also Read > How to Reset Dodge Charger ABS Light?

What Are the Primary Causes of the Dodge Charger Radiator Fan Not Working?

Your car’s cooling system, including the radiator, keeps the engine cool to prevent overheating. It’s easy to take their job in maintaining your vehicle for granted unless something goes wrong.

The radiator is responsible for efficiently cooling the coolant. A high rate of airflow through the radiator is a result of the vehicle’s speed. However, a radiator fan is necessary since air is not forced through the radiator at a slower speed.

In the event of engine overheating, a warning light will illuminate in today’s cars. Whenever the engine temperature gets too high, the icon changes color from blue to red or green. When the light turns yellow, it’s time to pull over to the side of the road. The dashboard’s screen could also flash a caution message.

A low coolant level might be indicated by a yellow light, whereas an overheating engine would be indicated by a red light. At this stage, everything points to a broken radiator fan.

01. Wrong Fan Assembly

The radiator fan maintains airflow through the radiator when the vehicle is stopped or moving at low speeds. The car’s computer or powertrain control module (PCM) controls the electric radiator fans, which are often located below the radiator.

The PCM receives data about engine temperature from the engine’s temperature sensor. If the PCM detects that the radiator needs more air, it will turn on the fan and trigger the fan relay.

A cooling fan assembly or radiator fan can be purchased for anywhere between $50 and $500. The cost of an assembly might vary greatly based on its components. Replacement fans can range in price from the original equipment price to several hundred dollars, depending on their design and intended function.

You can expect to pay between $100 and $400 for the labor involved in making this replacement. The actual sum will be based on variables like the make and model of your car as well as the local rates in effect.

02. Defective Fan clutch

Many modern cars utilize electric fans to keep the engine cool, but many older vehicles still employ a mechanical fan clutch. Most of the time, the thermostatic fan clutch is attached to the water pump or another belt-driven fan pulley. Its function depends on the temperature of the device.

Once a particular temperature is reached, the clutch on the fan fully engages, allowing the fan to operate at peak efficiency. As a part of the cooling system, the fan clutch is especially vulnerable to the consequences of failure.

There are a couple indicators that the fan clutch is failing. There are a few telltale signs that a fan clutch is failing that might be picked up by the driver. Knowing the warning signs of a malfunctioning fan clutch might help you save money by avoiding costly engine repairs.

You may be left stranded and with a hefty repair bill if your fan clutch fails.

03. Coolant Temperature Sensor

Two distinct systems can be found in contemporary automobiles. The fans in some vehicles are managed by a dedicated module, whereas in others, the controls are found on the ECU.

A temperature sensor is used in both systems to activate the fan at the appropriate time. It is impossible for the control unit to communicate with the radiator in the right way if the temperature sensor is broken.

For some vehicles, the radiator fan and the ECU each have their own temperature sensor for the engine coolant. A multimeter can be used to check the sensor’s resistance and confirm that it is working properly.

Prices for parts typically range from $23.29 to $28.47, while those for labor typically range from $109.74 to $134.13. It typically takes a mechanic between 0.93 and 1.14 hours to do this maintenance. The coolant temperature switch or sensor must be replaced by a mechanic if it stops working properly.

04. Serpentine Belt

A serpentine belt is an important component of your car as it helps to drive multiple components like the alternator, water pump, and air conditioner compressor.

If the belt becomes worn or damaged, it can result in the breakdown of your car. In order to get your Dodge Charger running smoothly again, you need to identify if the issue is related to the serpentine belt and then replace or repair it accordingly.

Serpentine belts have a long service life and may only need to be replaced once or twice throughout the vehicle’s lifetime. Check your belt for wear and tear every 60,000 miles and replace it if necessary. Replace your belt every 90,000 miles, no matter how it looks, to reduce the chance of a breakdown.

It is not indestructible and will fail just like the rest of the components in your car. Belts wear out from heat and friction over time, so if you retain your car for a long period of time or drive an older model, you should budget for a replacement. To know when it’s time to get a new one, it’s best to consult the owner’s manual.

The serpentine belt is easily replaced by threading it into place, turning the tensioner, and sliding it over the tensioner pulley or the closest pulley on the top of the engine. Most belt tensioners use some sort of spring to keep the belt tight.

After being set in place, the spring will continue to exert force on the belt. After putting the belt on, take special care to ensure it is centered on each pulley and that it is on all the way around. Proceed by starting the car.

Make sure the serpentine belt is functioning properly by letting the engine idle for at least 60 seconds. Before taking your car for a drive, make sure to put back any additional pieces or covers you may have removed.

Having a professional take out the old belt and put on the new one will often cost you $75 to $120 in labor costs. Complete your research before attempting to do the work on your own. You shouldn’t risk driving around with a serpentine belt that wasn’t properly installed.

05. State of Thermostat

The thermostat controls the temperature of the engine coolant. A cold engine means the cover must remain shut until it has warmed up. The thermostat gradually opens as the engine temperature rises, enabling coolant to flow to the radiator. When it fails, the engine will overheat and eventually boil over if you don’t fix it. As a result, you may need to spend a lot on maintenance.

A thermostat may be one of the least expensive yet most important components of a vehicle. To avoid having to get a whole new engine, you should first try fixing the underlying problem with the faulty thermostat.

The thermostat in a car is an essential part because it controls the flow of coolant and maintains the ideal temperature in the engine. Overheating and coolant leaks are signs that your thermostat needs to be replaced.

What To Do When Your Dodge Charger Coolant Fan Only Comes On With The A/C

There are a few potential causes for the fan to malfunction in this manner. A faulty thermostat, fan resistor, temperature switch, relay (either low- or high-speed), or wiring is probably to blame. Care should be exercised while driving if the vehicle overheats to prevent further overheating and potential damage.

With the air conditioner on, the engine temperature rises, necessitating the ECU’s order that the fan run continuously. A professional mechanic can assess the cause of the overheating and rectify the situation.

If you’re experiencing issues with your Dodge Charger’s coolant fan only coming on when the air conditioning is on, it could mean there’s a problem with the relay or an issue with the wiring. In order to identify the issue and fix it, it’s important to understand how the system works and how to diagnose any potential problems.

First, check for any loose connections or wiring issues in the cooling fan circuit. If these appear to be in working order, then it may be an issue with the coolant temperature sensor or relay. In some cases, simply replacing these items can resolve the problem.

Asking Questions

What causes a radiator fan to not turn on?

When a radiator fan stops working, it could be due to a blown fuse, a malfunctioning relay, or a broken wire. One possible cause is a broken coolant temperature sensor. In any event, a broken radiator fan is quite dangerous.

Which electronic control unit manages the cooling system’s fan?

The radiator fan motor and condenser fan motor are both activated by the fan controller, which is in turn controlled by the engine-ECU (M/T) or engine-A/T-ECU (A/T).