Engine Fan Constantly Running

[Dave_Bounce]

The fan seems to be constantly running as soon as my engine warms up. I would of thought the car was overheating but the thermostat always is reading spot on. The coolant level also seems fine.

If my car is stationary or I park it and leave the engine running the fan will kick in almost immediately, running at full speed for about 20seconds, stopping for around 5seconds then kicking in again for 20seconds and so on. The fan also stays on for about 10seconds after I have turned the engine off. This happens almost everytime I drive the car.

Is there a reason for this or is it maybe a faulty sensor or something?

Thanks

[Doctle Odd]

Check the fan switch it might be faulty

[Dave_Bounce]

During my investigation of why the fan keeps running I came across a plug at the front of the engine bay which I unplugged thinking it might be the fan just to see if it stopped...it didnt stop so I plugged it back in but since then "Airbag fault" is coming up on my display and the airbag light stays on...doubt its a coincidence

Here are pics of the plug I unplugged, a yellow plug going into a brown connector.

I think its just one of those days!!!

[Imran]

When i got my b6, it was my first turbo diesel, and if i ragged it the fan would carry on running even if engine was turned of. Turns out its to cool the turbo down and its normal. First time i panicked thought ***!! Ive knackered the car! Lol

[monzo24]

When i got my b6, it was my first turbo diesel, and if i ragged it the fan would carry on running even if engine was turned of. Turns out its to cool the turbo down and its normal. First time i panicked thought ***!! Ive knackered the car! Lol


At a guess you may have dissed an inertia sensor related to air bags. Save you paying a dealer to clear the light, get yourself a cheap reset tool and reset it yourself. Else someone with knowledge can offer you other suggestions but your ecu needs to be reset in any case.

Not sure about the fan running though, would be interested to know the solution, where is the fan/sensor switch anyway.

[nigos]

During my investigation of why the fan keeps running I came across a plug at the front of the engine bay which I unplugged thinking it might be the fan just to see if it stopped...it didnt stop so I plugged it back in but since then "Airbag fault" is coming up on my display and the airbag light stays on...doubt its a coincidence

Here are pics of the plug I unplugged, a yellow plug going into a brown connector.

I think its just one of those days!!!

That is the the front crash sensor that you have disconnected. The airbag light will only clear with the use of a diagnostic tool or VCDS. The fan control module is integrated into the bigger of the two fans, so if it is faulty you will have to replace the whole fan which costs about £250 from VW. I assume you don't have the air con on as both fans will always turn at a low speed when it is on.

[Doctle Odd]

If the fan is on all the time the engine will be running cool and over fuelling

[Dave_Bounce]

That is the the front crash sensor that you have disconnected. The airbag light will only clear with the use of a diagnostic tool or VCDS. The fan control module is integrated into the bigger of the two fans, so if it is faulty you will have to replace the whole fan which costs about £250 from VW. I assume you don't have the air con on as both fans will always turn at a low speed when it is on.


If the fan is on all the time the engine will be running cool and over fuelling

Thanks for the replies...at least I know how to sort the problem now...Being the idiot I am I shouldnt of disconnected the plug (don't fix something if it isnt broken and all that).

I have aircon in my Passat but I havent turned it on to see if the smaller fan is running...it is the larger one that continues to run.

And doctle odd I have noticed my fuel consume is quite poor from what I had expected from the Passat so that would make sense

Appreciate the help