QuestionMy 97 Golf has 195000 miles. A day or two ago the AC quit working, I checked the coolant level and its OK, refrigerant is OK, too. The next day the radiator fan(s) refused to shut down, so now I have to disconnect the battery to turn them off. I unplugged the sensor in the radiator and at the thermostat, no change. Any suggestions?
AnswerHello David;
There may be a separate fan control module in the front of the engine bay, and close to the radiator, and fan shroud. It will be a small aluminum box with fins on the outside of it, and it will have plastic cover electrical connectors to it. Sorry, only one connector. If this is faulty, to replace it may fix both problems. Check all of the fuses, first. Then do what you can to check the relays under the dash above the fuse, second, and this will save you a lot of headaches later. Make sure the relays engage with voltage, almost no amps are necessary, so a 9 volt battery with test leads will work to make sure the coils are OK. The contacts are a bigger problem however, but since the relays have got to come out to test then open them carefully, and inspect the contacts for little piles of carbon built up. One will look like a little cone, and the other will look like a little pit. If they do. Replace them...too much resistance. After all these years, 10, or so, they will have a high probability of being used up. If they are all good, or new, then proceed with your fan control module replacement. There is a chance that the module is bad too, so replace it if necessary. The other thing to look for that costs only time, and not cash is check to see if the grounds are still secure, and clean. That cures most electrical problems on all brands of cars. Happy hunting.
