2000 4.2 Overheating at Idle -- Fan Problem?
#1
AudiWorld Member
Thread Starter
2000 4.2 Overheating at Idle -- Fan Problem?
Our 2000 4.2 overheated the other day during stop and go driving in the 100 degree East Coast heat. When this happened, the A/C stopped blowing cold air. This problem has happened before during slow driving in extremely hot weather. Coolant level is fine, and the coolant temperature sensor near the rear of the engine was replaced within the past couple months. There are no OBD or VCDS fault codes stored in the car's computer.
I noticed that the electric fan on the driver's side behind the radiator (i.e not the one in front of the radiator that comes on with the A/C, and not the engine-belt-driven fan on the passenger's side behind the radiator) was not running when the car was saying it was overheated. I unplugged the harness connector for the fan and got 11 volts. Then I applied voltage via a wire from the cigarette lighter to the fan, but it didn't turn.
Am I overlooking anything that could be wrong other than the fan motor being shot? Is it common for these fans to croak? How much of a pain the rear is it to remove and reinstall this fan? Anybody know a part number?
Many thanks!
I noticed that the electric fan on the driver's side behind the radiator (i.e not the one in front of the radiator that comes on with the A/C, and not the engine-belt-driven fan on the passenger's side behind the radiator) was not running when the car was saying it was overheated. I unplugged the harness connector for the fan and got 11 volts. Then I applied voltage via a wire from the cigarette lighter to the fan, but it didn't turn.
Am I overlooking anything that could be wrong other than the fan motor being shot? Is it common for these fans to croak? How much of a pain the rear is it to remove and reinstall this fan? Anybody know a part number?
Many thanks!
Last edited by spoon2000; 07-08-2010 at 10:18 AM.
#3
AudiWorld Super User
We have a 2K4.2. It has overheated, once due to a faulty thermostat which pegged the meter...shut off, no damage, TB and thermostat and engine fan clutch job, spendy $$$. (Have to take off the TB so might as well put a new one on if the old one is over 50K miles. Tensioner, pulleys, and WP wait for scheduled TB replacement however.)
The second time it was the fan control module AND the fan. Another $1200 to the stealer.
So there are a couple of possibilities.
The second time it was the fan control module AND the fan. Another $1200 to the stealer.
So there are a couple of possibilities.
#4
AudiWorld Member
Thread Starter
Further thoughts?
Last edited by spoon2000; 07-06-2010 at 04:19 PM.
#5
Fan or control module might be dead. You can check the big fuse for it under the knee bolster in the drivers footwell (the panel with the owners manual pocket).
Or test the output on the module, unplug the brown plug by the power steering resivoir and check for 11-12 volts on the female side after you turn your a/c all the way one LO.
Or test the output on the module, unplug the brown plug by the power steering resivoir and check for 11-12 volts on the female side after you turn your a/c all the way one LO.
#6
AudiWorld Member
Thread Starter
Fan or control module might be dead. You can check the big fuse for it under the knee bolster in the drivers footwell (the panel with the owners manual pocket).
Or test the output on the module, unplug the brown plug by the power steering resivoir and check for 11-12 volts on the female side after you turn your a/c all the way one LO.
Or test the output on the module, unplug the brown plug by the power steering resivoir and check for 11-12 volts on the female side after you turn your a/c all the way one LO.
Is it really possible that having that fan non-operational would cause the car to overheat so quickly?
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#8
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#10
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8D0 959 455P
8D0 959 455R or
VW3115105.
What would a coolant flush accomplish, given that the coolant is supposed to be good (can provide proper anti-boil, anti-freeze, and corrosion protection) for the lifetime of the car? I should point out as well that the coolant bottle fractured 5 years back or so, at which point I'm pretty sure most if not all the coolant was replaced.