Coolant fan relay

[Rickety]

I have a 2000 beetle 2.0L gas. I'm looking to replace the coolant fan relay. Any idea where this is located?

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

How do you know it is the relay?

There is a Coolant Fan Control Relay on the main relay panel ('98 -5/'03), located under the left side of the instrument panel, Position 13, number on relay, 53, 2nd row, far right. Not used after 5/'03 (does not apply to your vehicle I know, but for others...).

There are two Coolant fan related fuses, in the main fuse box on top of the battery. Coolant Fan, single speed, Position S180, 30A, Left hand fuse in the bank of three standard fuses, and a metal fuse (fusible link), Coolant fan, two-speed, Position S164, 50A, middle fusible link in the group of five.

There is also a Cooolant Fan Control control module, and a Coolant Fan Control thermal switch. Need the locations?

MORAV

[Rickety]

I'm not positive it's the relay. The issue is the fans continue to run. I have replaced the temperature sensor and the fan switch. I'm basically trying different things. Figured I would do the relay and if that doesn't fix it then I will try the fan control module. I do know the location of the FCM. Thanks for the help on the location of the relay. I will check it out and let ya know how it goes.

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

Not unusual for them to run 10 minutes or more after engine is turned off. They may even come on after the engine is turned off and then run for 10 minutes or more. They are controlled by a thermal switch and your coolant will actually heat up after you stop moving and turn off the engine. Perfectly normal, addressed in the Owner's manual also. Or are you saying they just run forever...

I see you're new here, Welcome!

M.

[Rickety]

I am new! I could get used to this. Ya unfortunately the fans continually run until the battery is completely drained.

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

Thermal switch probably, not a relay, the relay is typically used simply to switch higher voltage with lower voltage so the higher voltage doesn't run through the switch, but you can certainly try replacing the relay. I told you where to find it. Thinking further about it, could it be the fan contol on the ac/heater contol panel on the dash? Turning the fan to "4" will turn the cooling fans on, so I guess it could be a short in that part of the circuit. I'll have to look and see what switch is controlling the relay, it may well be that one, so it could be the relay.

M.

[Rickety]

Well I got underneath the dash and located position 13 where the relay should be. In that position there is no relay, it's empty. The relay I received from NAPA has a number 181 on it and there isn't another relay under there to replace with the same number. I've located and removed the fan control module which I will try replacing next. Lately I've been disconnecting the fusible link above the battery to turn off the fans so my battery will not drain. Today after driving it for some time the fans had switched off on there own with the fusible link connected. I will keep the forum posted with anything else I find.

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

Originally Posted by Rickety

Well I got underneath the dash and located position 13 where the relay should be. In that position there is no relay, it's empty. The relay I received from NAPA has a number 181 on it and there isn't another relay under there to replace with the same number. I've located and removed the fan control module which I will try replacing next. Lately I've been disconnecting the fusible link above the battery to turn off the fans so my battery will not drain. Today after driving it for some time the fans had switched off on there own with the fusible link connected. I will keep the forum posted with anything else I find.

Could you tell if the relay port is wired? That is the position indicated and the relay number indicated in the Bentley. It also indicates the relay was deleted after 5/03. I'm wondering if somewhere along the way, the circuitry was updated, and the relay deleted. Perhaps something that was addressed in a TSB. That relay port is indicated as being empty after 5/03. And since the issue has started under your watch...

With this in mind you might want to replace parts by visual p/n on existing, not by any book.

When I get some time I'm going to have to dig out the wiring schematics for the before and after and see what changed that deleted this particular relay. I'll let you know if I find anything.

M.

Keep us posted.

[Rickety]

Got some interesting developments. The relay that is supposed to be in position 13 and has the number 53 on it doesn't exist in this vehicle. I found some literature somewhere that said the relay in position 13 should also have the part number 1J0919506K. When I removed the fan control module (FCM) today, I found that exact part number on the FCM itself. I am assuming the FCM acts like some type of relay? I will let you know how the car performs once I receive the FCM and have it installed.

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

Glad to hear your making progress. Wish my info about the relay had been correct. Read yesterday about another mistake found in the Bentley, but they didn't elaborate. Keep us posted.

M.

[Rickety]

Well I have good news. After replacing the FCM and driving it around for a couple days it seems like all the issues have been resolved. Thanks for all the help and information M.