Golf 5 Radiator fan(s)

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nemesus
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Golf 5 Radiator fan(s)

Post by nemesus »

Hi everyone,

Sorry if this has been discussed before, I tried searching for similar topics but were unsuccessful.

I have a 2007 Golf 5 2.0

The radiator fan(s) are on from the moment the car is started, and stays on for the duration of driving and only switches off about 15 minutes after the car was switched off. This happens regardless if air con is switched on or not.

The closest possible solution I could find on the net is some kind of temperature sensor (looks plug-able) that fits in to one of the radiator hoses. Am I heading towards the right direction or are there other things I need to check / try first?

Any help / suggestions will be appreciated!
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ToyMAKA
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Re: Golf 5 Radiator fan(s)

Post by ToyMAKA »

had a similar issue with my friends golf,

the things we checked was the temperature switch, the one you mentioned,
and also the thermostat. had those replaced and it was fixed.

not to sure if it could be anything else.

wish you the best.
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Re: Golf 5 Radiator fan(s)

Post by VGTI »

Does the aircon actually work? i.e. cool the air?
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Re: Golf 5 Radiator fan(s)

Post by nemesus »

Yip, aircon works 100% when switched on.

@ToyMAKA - do you perhaps know or know where I can check the actual location of the temp switch and thermostat? I have a bit of trouble finding this info - I am not too familiar with the Golf 5 motor yet.
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Re: Golf 5 Radiator fan(s)

Post by VGTI »

nemesus wrote:Yip, aircon works 100% when switched on.

@ToyMAKA - do you perhaps know or know where I can check the actual location of the temp switch and thermostat? I have a bit of trouble finding this info - I am not too familiar with the Golf 5 motor yet.

On our Altea (which is based on the same platform) the fans would do something similar but would go off when the car was switched off. Turned out to be the ambient temperature sensor.
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Re: Golf 5 Radiator fan(s)

Post by chrisg4 »

My golf 5 2.0 2005 has the same issue, I've replaced temp sensors and it worked for about a week then went back to the fans running at startup and for a while after engine is turned off. my aircon does not work... haven't changed thermostat... I've even replaced the fans...
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Re: Golf 5 Radiator fan(s)

Post by MK2 G60 »

Remember those cars have two temp sensors for the water temp as the ecu controls the fans.
U will find all of them should have a water temp sensor error.
You replace the sensor and ats gone for a while but will return when you take a long constant drive.
I have seen guys spend about 13k on that error.
U will need vagcom to check it.
Go to rmvb for waterbtemp and monitor it till fan comes on then u go for a drive on the highway and see what it drops too.
You will find the temp drops below 70deg. The fans will come on and the water temp error comes on.
U just replace the thermostat and thats that all sorted.
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Re: Golf 5 Radiator fan(s)

Post by nemesus »

hi

just wanted to let everyone know that the issue has been resolved - it turned out to be the temp sensor on the water pipe right next to the engine.

thanks!
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Re: Golf 5 Radiator fan(s)

Post by nemesus »

LOL, okay - so maybe I should have said "touch wood" :twisted:

The above only lasted about 4 days, then the fans started going mad again...

So it was not this sensor that resolved the issue.

When I replaced this sensor I disconnected the battery for the duration (+/- 10 minutes). So now the question is, was it the new sensor that alleviated the problem for a short while or was it the batter disconnect that reset something?

Another thing I picked up when the problem was temporarily resolved, was that the temp gauge behaved differently.
When the fans were running all the time, it was as if the needle would move to 90 degrees regardless and stay there.
When the fans were NOT running all the time, the needle was more regulated - When driving on highway the temp would in some cases drop, and only rise when sitting in traffic...

Hopefully this helps with any suggestions to the problem.

So what do I try next? Replace the relay on the fan?
Or does the replacement of this switch on the water pipe require something to be reset on the pc?

Any ideas / help will be appreciated.

Thanks!
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Re: Golf 5 Radiator fan(s)

Post by chrisg4 »

HI, i replaced the thermostat, seemed to have done the trick.
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Re: Golf 5 Radiator fan(s)

Post by Carla »

Golf 5 TDI 1.9 fans not working at all and causes aircon to automatically switch off....i need the fans to work first right?
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Re: Golf 5 Radiator fan(s)

Post by panic-mechanic »

Yes
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Re: Golf 5 Radiator fan(s)

Post by rkn »

Had this problem on my jetta last year

Changed both temp senders... no luck
Changed thermostat twice, Goldwagen and VW.... no luck

Turned out to be a broken wire in the harness near the bottom temp sender
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Re: Golf 5 Radiator fan(s)

Post by panic-mechanic »

vcds should show that as a problem or should show you no temp from that sender. So some diagnostic work donw can save moeny before starting to change items all over the show.
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Re: Golf 5 Radiator fan(s)

Post by rkn »

vcds only showed temp sender as a fault
that's why I replaced them
mechanic from vw advised me to change the thermostat
yes you are right, should have got my hands dirty first
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Re: Golf 5 Radiator fan(s)

Post by panic-mechanic »

If it shows you a fault that says open or short to ground and you change the sensor with no change in the fault then it is always a broken wire or faulty plug.
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Re: Golf 5 Radiator fan(s)

Post by Scatman »

Just to add to the topic, although my problem was different to yours.

My 2006 A3 2.0tfsi developed a problem with the amaller of the two fans (wasn't working at all). Aircon was still working well.

Long story short I opened the small fan and saw that one of the brushes was stuck in its holder due to debris. Cleaned it all up and evertlything was back to normal. Audi quoted me R6250 for a new fan...

So if one of your fans isn't working, it may be very worthwhile to open the fan motor and give the brushes a nice clean.

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Re: Golf 5 Radiator fan(s)

Post by Black Widow »

THERMOSTAT. SEEMS UNLIKELY BUT IT USUALLY IS. HAD THIS ON 2006 jETTA 5 AND 2008 GOLF 5, BOTH 2.0L ENGINES. BUT YOU WILL HAVE TO CLEAR THE FAULT AFTERWARDS. BOUGHT THE THERMOSTATS FROM GOLDWAGEN, BRAND WAS FEBI.
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Re: Golf 5 Radiator fan(s)

Post by Lagunagti »

panic-mechanic wrote: Thu Jan 04, 2018 11:40 am If it shows you a fault that says open or short to ground and you change the sensor with no change in the fault then it is always a broken wire or faulty plug.
My gti mk5 have the same issue, both rad fans are turn on as soon as the engine starts from.cold. Even the AC is off the small fan is on always.
I checked vcds but no code...
Can you suggest me where to check? Highly appreciated.
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Re: Golf 5 Radiator fan(s)

Post by VGTI »

Lagunagti wrote: Sat Oct 13, 2018 4:44 am
panic-mechanic wrote: Thu Jan 04, 2018 11:40 am If it shows you a fault that says open or short to ground and you change the sensor with no change in the fault then it is always a broken wire or faulty plug.
My gti mk5 have the same issue, both rad fans are turn on as soon as the engine starts from.cold. Even the AC is off the small fan is on always.
I checked vcds but no code...
Can you suggest me where to check? Highly appreciated.
I always say this... not necesary the cause but could be:

On our Altea (which is based on the same platform) the fans would do something similar but would go off when the car was switched off. Turned out to be the ambient temperature sensor.

If you check the ambient temp on the OBC do you get a reading or just ---. If no reading this could be your cause and is cheap to fix
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