Fan/Relay Question

[Ssj7blade]

Okay, so I have a 2002 2.7L tiptronic with 107k miles on it. My main question is, the fan inside the engine compartment seems to have quit running. I'm unable to really tell for sure whether my relay just burned out or the fan has gone bad. When the fan is suppose to come on, I checked to see if it was getting power to it, but there was no current going to it. However, I really don't have the tools to properly test either the relay or the fan properly.

I believe I'm just going to switch the relay, but I'm not entirely certain which one actually is connected to the fan.

Can anyone shed any light on the best approach to my problem or which fuse is the one I need to replace/test?

Thanks.

[Loren]

That fan is a purge fan that only comes on when the engine compartment exceeds preset temperatures.

For some people it rarely or never comes on.

From the Porsche service manual...

"Switch-on conditions for engine compartment fan (this fan pulls air into the engine compartment) The engine compartment fan is switched on when the engine compartment temperature is > 176 degrees F or the coolant temperature is > 216 degrees F.

After-running of engine compartment fan

If the ignition is switched off and the engine compartment temperature is more than 140 degrees F, the DME control module remains in readiness for another 20 minutes. During this time, the engine compartment temperature is retrieved every 10 seconds. If the engine compartment temperature is > 185 degrees F , the engine compartment fan is switched on for 20 seconds. If the engine compartment temperature is still > 185 degrees F after this time, the fan remains on for a further 30 seconds."

[logray]

+1 on Loren's reply, in nearly 4 years of Porsche ownership I've only had it click on once or twice under really hard driving in very hot weather.

If you own Durametric you can activate the fan manually.

You can also "manually" turn the fan on if you jumper the relay - search for "fan hack".

[Ssj7blade]

Well the main reason this has come to my attention is that when I sit still or get stuck in stop and go traffic the temperature starts to climb higher than usual. It's not a drastic climb, but 5 or 10 (maybe 15) degrees more than it used to. The water pump was recently replaced and coolant levels are as they should be (I'm not losing any). When the car is actually in motion the temperature goes back down. So I'm looking at a faulty fan possibility. The two in the front are fine and I've heard my fan on in the past, so that's why I believe it is the culprit. Is there any other fans or possibilities I should know about?

[Loren]

Have you checked to see if the front radiators are clean?

[Ssj7blade]

Not particularly, is there an easy way to do so? Cause I wouldn't doubt it.

[logray]

[Loren]

And of course there is a DIY Video for bumper removal here

[wvicary]

When the radiator fans do come on, at what speed are they coming on?

[Ssj7blade]

Not really sure at what speed they come on. I just know if I turn the A/C on I can feel them sucking in air. Thanks for the two links guys. I'll go ahead and clean the radiators out and then switch the relay for the fan and then go from there.

I appreciate the help!