Radiator fan running like a bat out of hell!

foghat · 08-18-2013, 11:39 PM

I never got mine checked out as I think it is fine. The radiator fan speed changes in conjunction with the ac fan speed. Turns off completely if I turn the ac off. I think it is louder than I remember, but honestly, I can't say for certain.

Dan203 · 08-19-2013, 12:32 AM

Mine is definitely louder. However it does go on/off with the A/C so I'm not sure it's a critical problem. I need to get an oil change anyway so maybe I'll take it to the dealer for that and see if they can hook it up and see if there are any codes. (I think there are a couple of recalls I need to have done anyway) If it's just noise I'll deal with it for now. Winter is coming anyway plus I'm thinking about possibly trading it in. (5 years is the longest I've ever owned a car) No need to spend a bunch of money fixing it if I'm just going to get rid of it anyway.

If they say there is some sort of code and it's critical to be fixed I'll let you know so you can be aware of what your problem might be.

bbbbmw · 08-19-2013, 07:04 AM

In other cars I've had (and assuming the 135 as well), the secondary fan cuts on automatically when you turn on the A/C - it's not temperature related. Sounds like your is doing the same? If it got noisier recently, maybe the fan motor itself is about to go?

foghat · 08-19-2013, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan203

Mine is definitely louder. However it does go on/off with the A/C so I'm not sure it's a critical problem. I need to get an oil change anyway so maybe I'll take it to the dealer for that and see if they can hook it up and see if there are any codes. (I think there are a couple of recalls I need to have done anyway) If it's just noise I'll deal with it for now. Winter is coming anyway plus I'm thinking about possibly trading it in. (5 years is the longest I've ever owned a car) No need to spend a bunch of money fixing it if I'm just going to get rid of it anyway.

If they say there is some sort of code and it's critical to be fixed I'll let you know so you can be aware of what your problem might be.

That would be great. Report back here regardless of what they do or do not find.

Dan203 · 08-26-2013, 07:10 PM

Well I took it in. The mechanic said it seemed louder then usual, but the car was not throwing any codes so he didn't think there was anything to worry about.

It's almost winter, so I wont be using the A/C much over the next 6-8 months anyway, so I'm not going to worry about it.

Plus I'm actually thinking about trading it in anyway. I'd really like something AWD. I'm going to wait and see if they offer a 235i with xDrive but if not I might get a 335i or maybe something non-BMW.

foghat · 08-26-2013, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan203

Well I took it in. The mechanic said it seemed louder then usual, but the car was not throwing any codes so he didn't think there was anything to worry about.

It's almost winter, so I wont be using the A/C much over the next 6-8 months anyway, so I'm not going to worry about it.

Plus I'm actually thinking about trading it in anyway. I'd really like something AWD. I'm going to wait and see if they offer a 235i with xDrive but if not I might get a 335i or maybe something non-BMW.

Good to hear and thanks for the update!

Miko226 · 09-23-2013, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1911A145

Get ready to change the water pump and thermostat...

What he said

foghat · 09-24-2013, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miko226

What he said

No, I don't think so, at least not because of this 'issue'. Did you read the rest of the thread?

More than 3 summer months later and water pump has not blown up on me.

freshwater · 07-09-2014, 01:12 AM

Old thread but did anyone ever find out about the AUX FAN problem running loud when AC ON. I am seeing same problem in X5 for last 3 months and thinking of the Aux Fan FSU going bad or stuck on High.

Dan203 · 07-09-2014, 01:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freshwater

Old thread but did anyone ever find out about the AUX FAN problem running loud when AC ON. I am seeing same problem in X5 for last 3 months and thinking of the Aux Fan FSU going bad or stuck on High.

Mine still does it. I took it in and they said nothing was wrong, so I'm just ignoring it for now. Probably going to get a new car soon anyway. (mine is 6 years old now, longest I've ever kept a car)

freshwater · 07-09-2014, 02:09 AM

I am pretty sure that its the FAN unit itself stuck in High and the FSU unit is built into the Fan assembly so cant replace the FSU but need to replace the whole FAN (~$600 plus Labor) looking at at least 1k with an Indy shop.

Mine has finish the CPO but still undr 70K, I think I already drop ~4k on this SAV, its Wife SAV and she wont sell it, so I am stuck with it for few more yrs I guess, I am sure Water pump, thermostat, evaporator are the Next to go..

Dont get me wrong I love BMW but will never buy them again due to the maintenance they required after Warranty is over and same for MB, Audi and VW...
I will only Lease them for 2-3 yrs never ever Buy them. It cost an Arm and Leg to keep them running and Labor is very expensive even with the Indys..

Dan203 · 07-09-2014, 02:27 AM

I'm gonna lease next time. Then just trade up every 3-4 years before warranty expires. I drive really low miles so a lease isn't bad. (Only 24k on my 08 135i)

freshwater · 07-09-2014, 02:42 AM

They do Lease 10k per yr so leasing for 3 yr wont be Bad, maintenance is all Free and you get a New one every 3 yrs.

foghat · 07-10-2014, 07:38 AM

Mine still does it. Other than being annoying, no issues.

As I mentioned in my first post, I started noticing it (I think) after I had my ac recharged last spring. I am getting it charged again tomorrow (leaky evaporator, I think). Will see if the recharge makes it worse or maybe makes it go away. Not sure how they'd be related, but who knows.

brake-fade · 07-10-2014, 08:57 AM

You stated you had the AC charged. Have them check the pressure. The fan should come on at a certain pressure to bring the high side pressure down. Maybe the system is over charged? The fan coming on would be normal with the AC on due to the fact the car is not moving and air is not passing through the AC condenser.

foghat · 07-10-2014, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brake-fade

You stated you had the AC charged. Have them check the pressure. The fan should come on at a certain pressure to bring the high side pressure down. Maybe the system is over charged? The fan coming on would be normal with the AC on due to the fact the car is not moving and air is not passing through the AC condenser.

I am having it charged again tomorrow. But maybe as you say, it was over charged last year. Though, would the pressure not be lower now due to the evaporator leak?

I know the fan coming on at rest is normal, it just never used to come on so high at idle - regardless of ambient temp.

freshwater · 07-10-2014, 10:25 AM

I am investigating this issue for few months now and recently read some interesting opinions from some forum. X5 has AUX FAN Relays ( Low, Med, High ), depending upon the Model Yr those Relays can be replaced or not. In my case they are not replaceable since the whole FSR unit is built into to AUX FAN. Once the Relays goes Bad then the FAN Runs High all the time and takes it powers from the 12V Battery. Its a safe mechanism to make sure FAN keep running and car dont get overheated. Ideally the Relays should control when the FAN should get turned ON and what speed they should run as needed. If 135i Relay is replaceable then it should be an easy Fix, Relays are normally in the Fuse Box under the Driver Compartment. This is just my Theory after reading about this problem and others feedback I might be all wrong.

I agree that if the over pressure is causing it then it should stop when their is less Freon in the System.. It looks to me that over pressure or over cooling might have permanently damage the Relays which control the FAN speed..

Please Report with your Findings.

brake-fade · 07-10-2014, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by foghat

I am having it charged again tomorrow. But maybe as you say, it was over charged last year. Though, would the pressure not be lower now due to the evaporator leak?

I know the fan coming on at rest is normal, it just never used to come on so high at idle - regardless of ambient temp.

The fan has two jobs. Pass air through the radiator to manage engine coolant temp, and pass air through the condenser to cool and bring down refrigerant pressure. Speed will vary depending upon outside temp, coolant temp and pressure. The fan may be working for one system and not the other, or both. Maybe there's an issue with the High Pressure switch? Also, an overcharged system will not get as cool, simulating a low charge. Interesting that your system was recharged over a year ago and yet it still has enough charge (low pressure switch) to run the AC compressor. I may be mistaken, but I think these systems use the AC compressor even in winter, say in defrost mode, to dry the air. My point being, pressures can still get high in winter and speed up a leak. Maybe not so high as to cause the fan to come on, but high enough to push gas out.

Just some thoughts...

foghat · 07-10-2014, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freshwater

I am investigating this issue for few months now and recently read some interesting opinions from some forum. X5 has AUX FAN Relays ( Low, Med, High ), depending upon the Model Yr those Relays can be replaced or not. In my case they are not replaceable since the whole FSR unit is built into to AUX FAN. Once the Relays goes Bad then the FAN Runs High all the time and takes it powers from the 12V Battery. Its a safe mechanism to make sure FAN keep running and car dont get overheated. Ideally the Relays should control when the FAN should get turned ON and what speed they should run as needed. If 135i Relay is replaceable then it should be an easy Fix, Relays are normally in the Fuse Box under the Driver Compartment. This is just my Theory after reading about this problem and others feedback I might be all wrong.

I agree that if the over pressure is causing it then it should stop when their is less Freon in the System.. It looks to me that over pressure or over cooling might have permanently damage the Relays which control the FAN speed..

Please Report with your Findings.

Does you fan still run when your turn the AC off? Mine doesn't, so not sure if that affects your relay theory.

freshwater · 07-10-2014, 11:38 AM

^^ My FAN shuts off immediately when I turned OFF AC. So something with AC this FAN keeps running while AC is ON, when AC is OFF the FAN shuts OFF.

The FAN also suppose to Run to cool Radiator but I never observed it running may be its not needed and Engine is Cool enough.

brake-fade · 07-10-2014, 12:14 PM

I think, but am not positive, the fan relay issue will cause the fan to run long after the engine has been shut off, car locked up and put away and your sound asleep in bed...In other words, it drains your battery. Takes on a mind of it's own...becomes Hal if you will.

freshwater · 07-10-2014, 12:29 PM

^^ That is correct if the Fan Relay get Stuck in some mode like closed and keep sending the Signal to the FAN that it needs to Run High and even when the Car is Shut OFF the FAN will keep running through the 12v Battery. It did happened to one of the poster and he finds out that his Relay was Stuck and once he Reset it or replace it the problem went away.

I think in our case the Relays or FSU on the FAN are gone bad and when AC is ON the FAN runs High since he is not getting any indication of what to do and by Default it might be programmed to run High from the DME.. just another theory :-)

08-18-2013, 11:39 PM	#23
foghat Captain 58 Rep 913 Posts Drives: 2008 135i Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Great White North iTrader: (1)	I never got mine checked out as I think it is fine. The radiator fan speed changes in conjunction with the ac fan speed. Turns off completely if I turn the ac off. I think it is louder than I remember, but honestly, I can't say for certain.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-19-2013, 12:32 AM	#24
Dan203 Lieutenant Colonel 136 Rep 1,592 Posts Drives: 2016 340i xDrive Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Carson City, NV iTrader: (1)	Mine is definitely louder. However it does go on/off with the A/C so I'm not sure it's a critical problem. I need to get an oil change anyway so maybe I'll take it to the dealer for that and see if they can hook it up and see if there are any codes. (I think there are a couple of recalls I need to have done anyway) If it's just noise I'll deal with it for now. Winter is coming anyway plus I'm thinking about possibly trading it in. (5 years is the longest I've ever owned a car) No need to spend a bunch of money fixing it if I'm just going to get rid of it anyway. If they say there is some sort of code and it's critical to be fixed I'll let you know so you can be aware of what your problem might be.
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08-19-2013, 07:04 AM	#25
bbbbmw Major General 2394 Rep 6,083 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Southwest iTrader: (0)	In other cars I've had (and assuming the 135 as well), the secondary fan cuts on automatically when you turn on the A/C - it's not temperature related. Sounds like your is doing the same? If it got noisier recently, maybe the fan motor itself is about to go? __________________ <OO (llll)(llll) OO>
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08-26-2013, 07:10 PM	#27
Dan203 Lieutenant Colonel 136 Rep 1,592 Posts Drives: 2016 340i xDrive Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Carson City, NV iTrader: (1)	Well I took it in. The mechanic said it seemed louder then usual, but the car was not throwing any codes so he didn't think there was anything to worry about. It's almost winter, so I wont be using the A/C much over the next 6-8 months anyway, so I'm not going to worry about it. Plus I'm actually thinking about trading it in anyway. I'd really like something AWD. I'm going to wait and see if they offer a 235i with xDrive but if not I might get a 335i or maybe something non-BMW.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-09-2014, 01:12 AM	#31
freshwater Private First Class 9 Rep 156 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Jet Black Sports pkg Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Old thread but did anyone ever find out about the AUX FAN problem running loud when AC ON. I am seeing same problem in X5 for last 3 months and thinking of the Aux Fan FSU going bad or stuck on High. __________________ 2007 X5 4.8 \| Sport pkg \| ZPP \| ZCW \| ZPS \| ZTP \| 3rd Row Seat \| Entertainment pkg \| HUD \| Jet Black \|Continental Extreme DWS.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-09-2014, 02:09 AM	#33
freshwater Private First Class 9 Rep 156 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Jet Black Sports pkg Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	I am pretty sure that its the FAN unit itself stuck in High and the FSU unit is built into the Fan assembly so cant replace the FSU but need to replace the whole FAN (~$600 plus Labor) looking at at least 1k with an Indy shop. Mine has finish the CPO but still undr 70K, I think I already drop ~4k on this SAV, its Wife SAV and she wont sell it, so I am stuck with it for few more yrs I guess, I am sure Water pump, thermostat, evaporator are the Next to go.. Dont get me wrong I love BMW but will never buy them again due to the maintenance they required after Warranty is over and same for MB, Audi and VW... I will only Lease them for 2-3 yrs never ever Buy them. It cost an Arm and Leg to keep them running and Labor is very expensive even with the Indys.. __________________ 2007 X5 4.8 \| Sport pkg \| ZPP \| ZCW \| ZPS \| ZTP \| 3rd Row Seat \| Entertainment pkg \| HUD \| Jet Black \|Continental Extreme DWS.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-09-2014, 02:27 AM	#34
Dan203 Lieutenant Colonel 136 Rep 1,592 Posts Drives: 2016 340i xDrive Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Carson City, NV iTrader: (1)	I'm gonna lease next time. Then just trade up every 3-4 years before warranty expires. I drive really low miles so a lease isn't bad. (Only 24k on my 08 135i)
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07-09-2014, 02:42 AM	#35
freshwater Private First Class 9 Rep 156 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Jet Black Sports pkg Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	They do Lease 10k per yr so leasing for 3 yr wont be Bad, maintenance is all Free and you get a New one every 3 yrs. __________________ 2007 X5 4.8 \| Sport pkg \| ZPP \| ZCW \| ZPS \| ZTP \| 3rd Row Seat \| Entertainment pkg \| HUD \| Jet Black \|Continental Extreme DWS.
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07-10-2014, 07:38 AM	#36
foghat Captain 58 Rep 913 Posts Drives: 2008 135i Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Great White North iTrader: (1)	Mine still does it. Other than being annoying, no issues. As I mentioned in my first post, I started noticing it (I think) after I had my ac recharged last spring. I am getting it charged again tomorrow (leaky evaporator, I think). Will see if the recharge makes it worse or maybe makes it go away. Not sure how they'd be related, but who knows.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-10-2014, 08:57 AM	#37
brake-fade Private 112 Rep 96 Posts Drives: 128i, 6sp MT, Koni, Swift Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Rhode Island iTrader: (0)	You stated you had the AC charged. Have them check the pressure. The fan should come on at a certain pressure to bring the high side pressure down. Maybe the system is over charged? The fan coming on would be normal with the AC on due to the fact the car is not moving and air is not passing through the AC condenser.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-10-2014, 10:25 AM	#39
freshwater Private First Class 9 Rep 156 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Jet Black Sports pkg Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	I am investigating this issue for few months now and recently read some interesting opinions from some forum. X5 has AUX FAN Relays ( Low, Med, High ), depending upon the Model Yr those Relays can be replaced or not. In my case they are not replaceable since the whole FSR unit is built into to AUX FAN. Once the Relays goes Bad then the FAN Runs High all the time and takes it powers from the 12V Battery. Its a safe mechanism to make sure FAN keep running and car dont get overheated. Ideally the Relays should control when the FAN should get turned ON and what speed they should run as needed. If 135i Relay is replaceable then it should be an easy Fix, Relays are normally in the Fuse Box under the Driver Compartment. This is just my Theory after reading about this problem and others feedback I might be all wrong. I agree that if the over pressure is causing it then it should stop when their is less Freon in the System.. It looks to me that over pressure or over cooling might have permanently damage the Relays which control the FAN speed.. Please Report with your Findings. __________________ 2007 X5 4.8 \| Sport pkg \| ZPP \| ZCW \| ZPS \| ZTP \| 3rd Row Seat \| Entertainment pkg \| HUD \| Jet Black \|Continental Extreme DWS.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-10-2014, 11:38 AM	#42
freshwater Private First Class 9 Rep 156 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Jet Black Sports pkg Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	^^ My FAN shuts off immediately when I turned OFF AC. So something with AC this FAN keeps running while AC is ON, when AC is OFF the FAN shuts OFF. The FAN also suppose to Run to cool Radiator but I never observed it running may be its not needed and Engine is Cool enough. __________________ 2007 X5 4.8 \| Sport pkg \| ZPP \| ZCW \| ZPS \| ZTP \| 3rd Row Seat \| Entertainment pkg \| HUD \| Jet Black \|Continental Extreme DWS.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-10-2014, 12:14 PM	#43
brake-fade Private 112 Rep 96 Posts Drives: 128i, 6sp MT, Koni, Swift Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Rhode Island iTrader: (0)	I think, but am not positive, the fan relay issue will cause the fan to run long after the engine has been shut off, car locked up and put away and your sound asleep in bed...In other words, it drains your battery. Takes on a mind of it's own...becomes Hal if you will.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-10-2014, 12:29 PM	#44
freshwater Private First Class 9 Rep 156 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Jet Black Sports pkg Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	^^ That is correct if the Fan Relay get Stuck in some mode like closed and keep sending the Signal to the FAN that it needs to Run High and even when the Car is Shut OFF the FAN will keep running through the 12v Battery. It did happened to one of the poster and he finds out that his Relay was Stuck and once he Reset it or replace it the problem went away. I think in our case the Relays or FSU on the FAN are gone bad and when AC is ON the FAN runs High since he is not getting any indication of what to do and by Default it might be programmed to run High from the DME.. just another theory :-) __________________ 2007 X5 4.8 \| Sport pkg \| ZPP \| ZCW \| ZPS \| ZTP \| 3rd Row Seat \| Entertainment pkg \| HUD \| Jet Black \|Continental Extreme DWS.
	Appreciate 0 Quote