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Both fans running when in "Auto" mode?

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Old 12-27-2008, 08:17 AM
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Both fans running when in "Auto" mode?

2000 Max GLE - both of my coolant fans come on full blast anytime I select "Auto" on the climate control no matter if the engine is warmed up or if I just start the car cold.

The fans turn off if I select "Econ" or go into a manual mode.

I suspect when you choose "auto" that the system uses the AC (even though I set it to 85 degrees) but I do not think both fans should come on especially when the engine is cold?

Would this be temp sensor or a fan control?
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Old 12-27-2008, 08:32 AM
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I just tested this out for you. It is 52 degrees outside and my A/C temp control is set to 60. I selected AUTO and both fans turned on. I then selected econ and they both turned off.

2002 SE
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Old 12-27-2008, 08:56 AM
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It is not done for engine cooling. It is to increase airflow over the condensor which is what removes heat from the refrigerant.


And yes, the compressor is running any time it is in Auto mode.
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Old 12-27-2008, 09:07 AM
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I didn't think both fans should come on either, unless the coolant has reached a certain high temperature while the AC is running. If the car is cold or running at normal temperature and the AC is switched on, I thought that only the fan on the passenger side (A/C or compressor fan) should come on. The other fan will activate when there is a need for the engine to be cooled down. This other fan is controlled by a coolant temp sensor, a switch, and a relay, located in the engine compartment by the battery. Hopefully you are not having an overheating issue.
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Old 12-27-2008, 09:15 AM
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Originally Posted by Nelsito65
I didn't think both fans should come on either, unless the coolant has reached a certain high temperature while the AC is running. If the car is cold or running at normal temperature and the AC is switched on, I thought that only the fan on the passenger side (A/C or compressor fan) should come on. The other fan will activate when there is a need for the engine to be cooled down. This other fan is controlled by a coolant temp sensor, a switch, and a relay, located in the engine compartment by the battery. Hopefully you are not having an overheating issue.
You must not have read my post. The fan operation with the a/c on has absolutely nothing to do with engine/coolant temperature and everything to do with increasing airflow over the condensor. Stop guessing...
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Old 12-27-2008, 09:33 AM
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Originally Posted by nismology
You must not have read my post. The fan operation with the a/c on has absolutely nothing to do with engine/coolant temperature and everything to do with increasing airflow over the condensor. Stop guessing...
You might need to read the OP statement one more time and then read my reply. I did not reply to your comment.
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Old 12-27-2008, 09:37 AM
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The bottom line is that he doesn't have a problem. That is normal fan operation. Furthermore, there is no single fan operation. They are either both off, both on low mode, or both on high mode; all controlled by the ECU. Again, please stop guessing.

Last edited by nismology; 12-27-2008 at 09:41 AM.
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Old 12-27-2008, 09:55 AM
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I wasn't guessing. Before posting my original reply I went out to try to replicate the setting. With the engine cold, I turned on the AC and only the AC fan was activated. As the engine reached normal operating temperature, the other fan started spinning and it was doing so intermitently. So, unless my car is the one with a problem, the OP does. And, yes, there is single fan operation, given specific circumstances such as the one I just described here.
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Old 12-27-2008, 12:25 PM
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Thanks to everyone for the responses. The reason I asked the question is I searched and found this thread:

http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...ling-fans.html

In the thread there is a diagram of the fan pinouts and "NmexMAX" in the 4th post states that it should be "ECT below 205 and A\C on = 1 fan". That would be my situation but I have both fans running at full blast on high as soon as I start the car cold and set to "auto".

That along with Nelsito65's test leads me to believe that my drivers fan should not be on until needed. And if that is so what would cause it to come on and stay on? I know the fan works so that would mean either a relay or the coolant temp sensor??

Last edited by kpic; 12-27-2008 at 12:35 PM.
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Old 12-27-2008, 12:38 PM
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Forgot to mention that the reason I first noticed it is that this is my wife's car and I happen to notice that it sounds like a jet taking off under the hood when she would start it in the morning. For now I have her using the "Econ" setting.
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Old 12-27-2008, 12:50 PM
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I tried it on my 2k2 SE and both fans cycled on and off even on a completely cold start. Same with every other maxima I've worked with.
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Old 12-27-2008, 01:17 PM
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The samething on my car, Cold start and turn on the climate control "auto" and the fans kick on.
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Old 12-27-2008, 01:20 PM
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Ok, thanks everyone - guess it is normal then.
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Old 09-09-2009, 05:59 AM
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Did anyone have a solution for this problem? My car just started doing exactly the same thing last week as kpic described of his wife's car.

Thanks in advance.
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