Does anyone know anything about radiator fan operation and sensor location?

My fans were unplugged when I was working on the car the other day. I looked up the operation in the work manual and it states that the fans turn on by temp and combination of temp/ac operation. The weather here has been in the 50's, but I don't think the fans are operating correctly.

1)After driving home from work 1/2 freeway/1/2 country road and park in the garage, I let the engine idle for 2 min and the fan did not turn on.

2)Cold engine. Upon turning on the AC or Heat (Auto) the fans turn on. The manual said it had to be a certain temp before they would turn on.

3)There are three "modules" in the engine (fuse box behind the driver headlight) for Rad Fan 1, Rad Fan 2 and Rad Fan 3. What are they and where is the 3rd fan?

Can anyone with a 5th gen confirm the operation of their fan? Perhaps owners in the North can comment on fan operation (by temp only) (ie does you fan turn on when you are parked for a few minutes in 40 degree to 50 degree weather).

Thanks!

 

It may take more then 2 minutes of idling before your cooling fans come on. Watch your temperature gauge and see if it indicates your engine is getting to hot. It could take several minutes of idling after your drive home before you see the fans come on.

AUTO will engauge the A/C compressor above 32F and when the compressor is running, the cooling fans are on.

From what you wrote, it sounds like your fans are operating correctly.

 

Thanks njmaxseltd!

I took my wifes Forester XT out to see how her electric fans operate...same thing. I guess I'll have to wait until summer to see if the temp sensor is doing its job.