Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Engine cooling fan (FC) control module
The engine cooling fan (FC) cools the coolant, engine compartment and the condenser when the air conditioning (A/C) compressor is running.
The engine control module (ECM) transmits a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal to the engine cooling fan (FC) control module. The control module then activates the fan at different speeds. The speed of the engine cooling fan (FC) is determined by the engine control module (ECM), depending on the coolant temperature (based on the signal from the engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor) and the vehicle speed.
The temperature conditions for engagement of the different engine cooling fan (FC) stages may vary slightly, depending on the engine variant and the equipment level. The temperature conditions apply when:
- the A/C is off
- no faults are detected by the Engine Control Module (ECM).
There is an internal diagnostic function in the engine cooling fan (FC). This function transmits a signal to the engine control module (ECM) if the fan is partially or fully blocked. To do this, the engine cooling fan (FC) control module grounds the pulse width modulation (PWM) signal based on a predetermined pattern.
The engine cooling fan may have a post-run of up to approx. 6 minutes after the engine has been turned off. The time for the fan's post-run depends on engine temperature, temperature in the engine compartment and pressure level in the AC-system.
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.
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