Info:
**This question has nothing to do with overheating**
1998 GEMS 4.0 no mechanical problems
Discovery I SE
Auto, NO rear air.


Question:

When standing in front of vehicle looking into grille, there are a passenger and a driver side fan.

With the engine running at idle at normal operating temperature, when the AC button is engaged in the car, should both fans spin at high speed or just one?

If I am correct, I believe that the Passenger side fan runs when the AC is engaged, and the drivers side engages to help supplement the cooling of the viscous fan (when temps exceed approx 220F?)


Thank you all kindly in advance. I traced the connectors using the electrical manual/rave but couldn't really find a definitive answer.

 

Not sure, but I will say that my drivers side fan use to always go on. The passenger side fan didn't, even with A/C. Needless to say it wasn't really the fan going on, it was the fan clutch drawing so much air it was spinning the fan fast enough to make it look like it was on!

 

both should spin with a c on

 

I had exactly the same issue with mine. I discovered I had voltage getting to both fans, but only one was turning.
Bad fan.

 

Verbatim this is EXACTLY what is happening to me. Both fans appear to be receiving 12.4-13.1v. I can gently place a screw driver in the blades of the other "non-functional" fan and it is moving only because of the draft caused by the functional AC fan + Viscous fan.


Savanah,

Thank you. Can you definitely state this is what your D1 does/did? (pertaining to both running)

 

Yes BOTH fans are supposed to be on when the a/c is on, the engine does not even need to be running, just turn the key on, turn on a/c, both fans should run.

 

1. When "Frankie" cranks up, the roar of the cold viscous clutch fan is enough to start the two electric fans turning, even though AC is not on.

2. When AC is turned on, both fans fire up, and if working correctly suck a paper towel against the grille.

3. The cable going to fans is just in front of the battery, and my PO spliced it wrong, so replacement fans ran backwards. Combine that with wimpy fan clutch and air "subtracted" and "Frankie" would overheat at idle. Crusty radiator also did not help.