A6 / S6 (C5 Platform) Discussion Discussion forum for the C5 Audi A6 and S6 produced from 1998-2004

Accessing fan control module

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 07-04-2018, 11:19 AM
  #1  
AudiWorld Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
clancy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Ocean Isle Beach NC
Posts: 1,413
Received 25 Likes on 23 Posts
Default Accessing fan control module

i've been avoiding replacing my fan control module for a couple of years now. Seems my electric fans run fine at slow speed but do not increase when needed. I've seen the bumper side one go to a higher speed but only for a few seconds, then slows back down. I ignored this as we seldom have hot enough days for this to be an issue. But it got extra hot recently and the car began to overheat. So I am finally going to replace the fan control module.

Is there an easy way to do this? I've read that that if put into the service position it is easy, but can it be done without this being necessary? Anyone have experience doing this? I have never removed the bumper and put the front end into the service position. I'd like to avoid this step if I can.

Anyone have experience replacing the fan control control module that can offer me advice? It is a 2001A6 2.7 tiptronic.

thanks for any help offered.
Old 07-04-2018, 11:58 AM
  #2  
AudiWorld Super User
 
georgeb944's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: In the Cloud
Posts: 2,475
Received 172 Likes on 162 Posts
Default

Yes, BTDT.

You will have to remove the front bumper assembly completely and the headlight assembly to access the fan control module.

It's been awhile since I did one, but I seem to recall that there are nuts which attach the module to the bottom of the frame rail on the front left of the car. There are also several wire harnesses which snake through and around the fan assemblies. Take note of the routing to make sure that you don't end up with one of the fans slicing through the harness.
Old 07-04-2018, 12:13 PM
  #3  
AudiWorld Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
clancy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Ocean Isle Beach NC
Posts: 1,413
Received 25 Likes on 23 Posts
Default

Headlight makes sense. Just looked up from the bottom. Not an easy place to access. I also compared the new one with the one in place. Both have 3 sets of connections that look to be the same plugs, but they are not in the exact same order. Does this indicate this is the wrong replacement module?
Old 07-04-2018, 01:06 PM
  #4  
AudiWorld Super User
 
georgeb944's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: In the Cloud
Posts: 2,475
Received 172 Likes on 162 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by clancy
Both have 3 sets of connections that look to be the same plugs, but they are not in the exact same order. Does this indicate this is the wrong replacement module?
Don't know... I did the swap about 3 years ago and both were 2001 cars with 2.7T motors, and part numbers matched. If the part numbers don't match, I would recommend finding a matching part.
Old 07-04-2018, 02:34 PM
  #5  
AudiWorld Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
clancy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Ocean Isle Beach NC
Posts: 1,413
Received 25 Likes on 23 Posts
Default

I have removed the bumper. Still looks like the FCM is behind the frame rail (?) and below the bumper shock mount. I do not see the reason for removing the bumper other than if I do need to put the car into the service position it will be necessary. The headlight is quite a bit higher than this. Why am I to remove the headlight? Is it to access the wires?

Thanks for the assistance.
Old 07-04-2018, 03:43 PM
  #6  
AudiWorld Super User
 
georgeb944's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: In the Cloud
Posts: 2,475
Received 172 Likes on 162 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by clancy
I have removed the bumper. Still looks like the FCM is behind the frame rail (?) and below the bumper shock mount. I do not see the reason for removing the bumper other than if I do need to put the car into the service position it will be necessary. The headlight is quite a bit higher than this. Why am I to remove the headlight? Is it to access the wires?

Thanks for the assistance.
It's all about ease of access. You can try sneaking the parts in and out of the position, but you will spend more time doing it that way.

Of course, YMMV, and it's your time, so do what you want.
Old 07-04-2018, 04:44 PM
  #7  
AudiWorld Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
clancy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Ocean Isle Beach NC
Posts: 1,413
Received 25 Likes on 23 Posts
Default

I have started to do the service position. Since I already have the bumper it doesn’t seem too difficult. Hopefully this will allow me to access the FCM. I will report back.
Old 07-05-2018, 10:52 AM
  #8  
AudiWorld Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
clancy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Ocean Isle Beach NC
Posts: 1,413
Received 25 Likes on 23 Posts
Default

Managed to put the car into the service position, more or less. The left or driver side moved out a few inches while the other side barely moved. I found this was sufficient to remove and replace the FCM as it is on the left side. Not sure why the other side did not want to move but figured it was not an issue this time.

Did not remove the headlight. I think that was mis-remember by georgeb944.

The wires were difficult to remove from the FCM probably because the plastic clips had never been removed in 18 years. Otherwise all went fine. Even the reassembly of the front end. The car started and the fans came on with the A/C. I won't know whether they go to high speed until we have another hot day and I am in Denver in traffic. I will report back when I know. I'll be taking the car to a much hotter environment soon. Wanted to get this done before the trip.

Thanks for the assistance.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
brad0
A4 (B7 Platform) Discussion
0
07-12-2018 07:16 PM
IBNew2A4
A4 (B8 Platform) Discussion
11
01-29-2010 05:29 AM
HIS4
S4 / RS4 (B5 Platform) Discussion
1
10-14-2006 06:22 PM
malcho
VAG-COM Discussion
0
04-28-2003 09:17 PM
Tzimako
A4 (B6 Platform) Discussion
2
12-02-2001 10:06 AM



Quick Reply: Accessing fan control module



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 09:17 PM.