Radiator fan burning out overvoltage?

[Tom.Molyn]

So... four months ago i had to replace my radiator fan.
it started with symptoms of not getting A/C until we got up to speed,
overheating with A/C on, and the A/C would cycle continuously.

2 days ago i replaced it again for the same issue although this time it almost
fully overheated on the road.
while changing it i checked the voltage:
With the A/C on, and cold it read 14.4 volts.
I assume since the fan is rated at 12 volts on the box that it is burning out
over time.

We have had the relays checked at autozone and had they seemed to check
out okay. I have not checked the Resistors(and haven't gotten information on
how) nor have i checked for shorts.
My next course of action is to purchase a new Relay wiring assembly(which i
heard has the fuse and resistor built in)

At this point i have a solid answer to waste time/money on replacing random
parts that may not be the issue.

 

[zora]

Your radiator fan is supposed to only come on when either using the A/C or when the engine temperature reaches about 220 degress and then shut off when it drops back down to about 195. So with the A/C off at about what temperature does the fan start to come on? Do you have a check engine light on and if so what codes or codes? Have you had your battery tested and how old is it?

 

[Tom.Molyn]

with the A/C off at about what temperature does the fan start to come on?

The fan wasn't tested for what temperature it turns on. i activated it to test
the voltage by turning the car on with the A/C running to catch a voltage
leading. it previously would need to be push started to start the fan even
when i had A/C on.

Do you have a check engine light on and if so what codes or codes?

The Check engine light has not been tripped.

Have you had your battery tested and how old is it?

I had the battery replaced earlier this year, about 2-3 months ago at
autozone(new)

Again I'd like to state that i'm concerned that the fan is burning out due to
being overpowered while on. I was able to measure the volts at 14.4(directly
from the fans power port). 14.4v is standard for the alternator output, so i
was thinking that there may be a short between the resistor that may cut the
voltage down to 12v.

 

[zora]

Not sure why you think anything on a car runs at 12V. All properly charging electrical systems run at 13+ to 14+. I'm trying to determine from you when you have a properly running fan does it only come on when the conditions above occur or is it constantly running which would cause it to burn out?

 

[Tom.Molyn]

I assumed that since the box of my new radiator said 12volts that it would burn
out with a consistent flow of 14volts. i figured that there may be a overvoltage
on the fan possibly caused by a short in the resistor assembly.

is 14.4 volts an okay range for the fan to be running on?

The last time i checked the fan only came on during A/C use or when it heated
up. that was when i was changing the Antifreeze.

I have noticed that the A/C will not turn off unless the toggle button is off
before you turn the car off, and then turn the car back on. the A/C light will
remain lit as long as the fan switch is on.

as for it running all the time....
you see.... i live in Arizona.... There is only a 1-3% time that we use the car
without turning it off. it starts when we start the car... usually without exception.
i've never had an issue with any other car we use daily where we have it running
100% of the time.

 

[zora]

when autozone replaced the battery did they check the alternator to see if it is overcharging? are you burning out any bulbs in the car more frequently than you would expect? does it always read 14.4 it never goes lower?

 

[Tom.Molyn]

when autozone replaced the battery did they check the alternator
to see if it is overcharging?

Yes, i had them come back out and check the alternator and old battery, it
was about 3 years old and in arizona you'll be lucky to get one that lasts
longer than 2 if you don't keep the car in the shade 100% of the time. the
battery was at 11v and the alternator they said was fine.

are you burning out any bulbs in the car more frequently than you
would expect?

Nope, when we bought the car earlier this year it had a burnt out blinker,
other than that we haven't had to change any other bulbs/electrical
equipment. although the stereo has trouble with the rotation dials, i think
they're just dirty though.

does it always read 14.4 it never goes lower?

Interesting question, i just checked it briefly to get a voltage, i haven't
watched it for any extended period of time. next time i'm under the hood
with a voltmeter i'll get a reading for about 5 minutes.

 

[zora]

when you first start the vehicle after letting it sit overnight, the 14.4 would be normal but after driving the car for awhile it should settle back down into the 13+ range. If you have another car take a reading on it just to confirm the accuracy of your voltmeter.

 

[Tom.Molyn]

it was right in the morning(6am) so that makes sense, i'll get a reading from the battery on my other car.

 

[Chuzz]

Sounds to me like you got a defective radiator fan when you bought the new one. It could have set on a shelf for years before you purchased it and the armature or brushes in it could just be stuck and dragging. Try direct wiring it and see if you think it spins as fast as one on your other vehicle. You should be able to tell just by comparing the speeds of the fans on both vehicles. If not that, then check your connections for corrosion and clean connections. That's about all I can suggest.