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Hydraulic Fan Failure

Yahoo Message Number: 86475
While driving up the coast today I noticed the coolant temperature move up to the 220-230 range. I pulled over and found that the fan wasn't running. I unplugged the controller and the fan went straight to high speed.
Can I assume the controller has failed? Can I safely drive the 600 miles from the bay area to Portland with the fan on high?

Jim

2005 Inspire 51501

Re: Hydraulic Fan Failure

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 86480
I've read several posts where owners bypass the controller purposely to run the fan on high at all times to eliminate any overheating issues as suggested by service centers.

Re: Hydraulic Fan Failure

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 86482
No! After I unplugged mine, sprayed with contact cleaner and applied some electrolube.
So far so good. Did that about 2 yrs ago. This of course may not work in your case. Good luck!
Yes! A little noise from the fan, no big deal. A little more fuel consumption. Safe travels!

Gil B

'05 Inspire
51322

Re: Hydraulic Fan Failure

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 86483
Jim, my quick disconnect (plug) failed, causing the fan to stop. I unplugged it and the fan went to high speed. At the first opportunity, I replaced the QD with one from Pep Boys, and it has worked fine since.
I'm not convinced we even need a QD. If you want to force the fan to high speed, pull the fuse.

Jay

51457 CAT

Re: Hydraulic Fan Failure

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 86494
Jim - For whatever its worth I've pulled the plug on the fan and driven that way for 8 hours. Never had any problems and this generally keeps things cooler. I had the fan quit once and shutting down and resetting the controller cleared the problem. I haven't a clue what caused it and I've not had any issues since. So plugged in or unplugged we're running fine. I did notice a somewhat loose terminal (something that can't be tightened) on one of the engine sensors. Not sure if this spooked the controller. Photo is here:

http://muniac.smugmug.com/Maintenance/Misc/i-RGGmJFc/0/M/img_1293-M.jpg Me upside down looking up. A funky angle but accurate.

I'd add that I think the fan cycling on/off (a fuel saving device) doesn't really provide an overall savings. The parts are expensive and they break. The stress of starting the hydraulic fan wreaks havoc with the hoses, fan mountings, spline and hydraulic parts. CC did go with a soft start after fans ripped lose from their mountings and hoses busted.
So on/off, on/off, on/off hour after hour needs to be designed properly.
I'm not sure that it is. The worst of it is lost ventilation (when the fan turns off) in a tight engine compartment that produces HUGE amounts of heat. Lost ventilation creates excessive temperatures which is tough on wires, hoses, insulation and just about every other thing that's in the engine compartment. The hydraulic system oil cooler is also part of the radiator pack. Not sure if/how the fan control monitors this. Fans, good airflow and ventilation are good things. Safe travels.

Re: Hydraulic Fan Failure

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 86506
I wouldn't assume the controller has failed yet. Test the sensors as they might be bad and they are a lot cheaper than the controller.
Lots of discussion on this forum on the cooling fan problems. I would suggest a search of the forum for added help. When mine quit ramping up the speed with resulting overheating, I put a switch in series with the fuse for the controller. That way I can watch the engine temperature and turn the controller off and let the fan run on high until the engine cools down.
On my coach, two of the sensors for the fan controller had failed. One of those was for the engine coolant and the other for the turbo charger air. After replacing those two sensors, all is well. I've kept the switch hooked up as a 'just in case' it is needed.

pete

2000 40' Magna #5892
Pete
 2000 40'  Magna #5892  CAT C-10

Re: Hydraulic Fan Failure

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 86516
No danger just loss of mileage. Made that same trip under same conditions.

Dan 2006 Allure 31348