Q: Cooling Fans

asked by on October 12, 2016

What would make the cooling fans only come on when the AC is turned on ?

My car has 137000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Most Vehicles now have 2 separate cooling fans. One cooling fan is intended to come on when the engine reaches a certain temperature. The other cooling fan is intended to come on when the air conditioning is turned on. When the air conditioning is turned on the fan kicks in to draw air through the condenser. When air is drawn through the condenser it promotes a good working air conditioning system. This is a normal operation of the vehicle and I would not be concerned with this as a problem.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

What do the air bag On and air bag Off lights mean on the dash?
Depending on whether the front passenger occupant classification system detects that the passenger front seat is empty, detects a child, or determines the passenger is an adult, it will turn on or off different lights, as well as controlling the...
Ignition switch won't turn all the way off
It would appear that the vehicle has several problems that will need to be addressed separately. The radio staying on is probably caused by a switch that is not turning off all the way. This may also be related to...
Venza 2010 L4-2.7L: My check engine light is permanently turned On. I have these codes P0012, P0016, P0017. What needs to be fixe
These are fault codes indicating problems related to the timing of your car's engine. Normally the car will not run very well or sometimes not at all when these are on. I would suggest having an expert from YourMechanic come...
Car won't start after driving any distance. I have to let it cool down before I can start the engine again.
It's curious that you don't seem to have a code in the ECM. Usually if you have a malfunction that prevents the car from starting, there will be a code resulting. That being said, it sounds like you may have...
I have power steering hoses that needs to be replaced. What is the labor to do it?
Hi and thanks for contacting YourMechanic. First, you will need to put a drain pan under the hoses. Remove one end of the hoses and drain out the fluid. Remove the other end of the hose and take them off....
Limp mode
Hello, thank you for writing in. The Limp Mode is activated as a safety precaution due to the computer detecting an issue that will potentially cause further damage. There are a wide variety of sensors that are inputs for the...
What do I need to do to become a mechanic?
Today's vehicles are complex. To be a good mechanic, you need a basic understanding of all the core educational requirements including English and math. A good understanding of computers, both how to use them and how they work, is also...
I have Chevrolet Epica ls 2010 automatic 6 cylinder car. I want to change gearbox. Please tell me which car model's gearbox will fit to my car.
The gearbox (transmission) that is in your vehicle will fit the years 2007 through 2010 from the Epica, Daewoo, and Tosca. They all have the same manual 5 speed transmission.
How many miles between oil changes on 2001 Jaguar S-type 4.0
Hi there. Depending on what oil you use will determine how long you can wait. If you go full synthetic with a good oil filter then you can go as much as 7500 miles. If you use conventional oil then...

Related articles

How to Buy a Good Quality Heater
In In the dead of winter, when the cold air is nipping at your heels, nothing is better than climbing into a nice, toasty warm car. However, having a heater problem like a heater that blows cold air or leaks...
P0533 OBD-II Trouble Code: A/C Refrigerant Pressure Sensor Circuit High Input
P0533 means the A/C refrigerant pressure is too high to safely function often due to inoperative cooling fans or too little or too much refrigerant.
How to Replace an AC Condenser
The AC condenser malfunctions if the air conditioning system has clogged passages or leaks, or if the condenser electric fans stop working.