Hello again, well the 2008 Outback i got my wife is running great (maybe need an alignment in the near future) but i have concerns that the radiator fans never turn on. she just got back from a 1 1/2 hr trip (one way) from her mom's and once again they were not on? her old 1999 Outback had fans that would come on all the time. the car is not overheating at all, however she does describe the heater as "very warm" (which of course, she likes). the car had front end damage and a bumper and new radiator was installed. am i worrying for nothing or could there be a problem here? thanks for any and all advice! jim
I've never really paid any attention, but would setting the HVAC to front defrost, which turns on the AC compressor to dehumidify the air, force the fans on like it does in the summer when you turn on the AC?
thanks! it is such a nice car, i just don't want to screw it up. i guess as you say i won't worry until it starts overheating...
It could be as simple as a fuse as well. But ultimately, in my head, if it’s not overheating, then maybe the fans just aren’t cycling because they don’t need to.
yes, i will check that later today. the guy that did the bodywork and installed the radiator texted me to check that last night. (it's good to have an honest person to deal with, when i asked him a few days ago if he had done a tune-up since the car runs so well, he replied "not really" and made some recommendations to do at 110,000 mile service thanks!
Modern cars really don't have "tune-up" requirements like back in the points and condenser / carburetor days. As long as you keep up on the MANUFACTURER'S maintenance schedule (not a dealership maintenance list) you're good.
i checked the fans and they are plugged in and the HVAC trick didn't work. i think i'll just monitor it and not worry until it starts overheating... jim
Jim, have you tried running the AC? You SHOULD be able to get the fans to turn on with running the AC compressor.
yes, i turned the ac on and still no. i'm getting an owners manual off ebay Friday maybe i can find where the fuse is to see if its blown?
Checked the manual for my 08 Outback this morning. Fuse 5 (25A) in the engine compartment is for the fan, I would also check fuse 22 (15A) in the passenger compartment. Hope you get it figured out.
Welp the fuses looked good. I thought I had hit paydirt when I saw no fuse in one place marked fan...but it said to use only in a 3L engine and I’m pretty sure mine is 2.5L. I’m going to chat with my mechanic after work tomorrow...I’m sure he’ll be thrilled to see me
possible. i will probably let my wrench figure it out. found a pretty informative video on youtube. never thought of turning the fans to make sure their not seized up!
well for folks following along, i dropped by my mechanic's shop today and he didn't think it was an urgent issue (good, 'cause i want him to get on the 1999 Subaru's headgasket Monday) but said it could have the thermostat stuck open? he said he would need to test it out but thought a check engine light would be on if it was real serious...of course, i will continue to monitor the temp. thanks again for all the input!
a follow-up, as i hate threads that never come to a conclusion, finally took the wife's 08 Outback to have AC check and fan issue. replaced the fan motor and fan as the old one was bad. says the shaft was bent causing the blade to wobble. (kind of irks me that the guy who sold me this car probably utilized used parts for the whole rebuild!). anyway, drove it the two blocks home and they fans were both on and working as expected
