The cooling fan motor is simply an electric motor that provides the power to spin the cooling fan. Just like a small electric fan you might use at home, this motor turns the fan blades to pull air through the radiator and help cool down your engine. Some vehicles have more than one cooling fan motor and fan, especially for more powerful cooling.

Simple Signs of a Bad or Failing Cooling Fan Motor

If the cooling fan motor isn’t working correctly, you might notice these problems:

Engine Overheating: This is a primary sign. If the fan motor isn’t spinning the fan properly (or at all) when the engine gets hot, the radiator won’t get enough airflow to cool the engine down, leading to overheating.
Air Conditioning Not Blowing Cold: The cooling fans also help cool the refrigerant in your air conditioning system. If the fan motor isn’t working, the AC system won’t be able to cool down the refrigerant effectively, resulting in warm or not-very-cold air blowing from your vents.
The “Check Engine Light” Comes On: If the car’s computer detects an electrical problem with the cooling fan motor or its circuit, it might turn on the “check engine light” on your dashboard.

Important Advice About Cooling Fan Motor Repairs

Here’s what you should know about dealing with cooling fan motors:

Check the Fan Blade: Whenever you replace a cooling fan motor, it’s a good idea to inspect the fan blade itself for any cracks, damage, or looseness. A damaged fan blade won’t move air efficiently, even with a new motor.
Inspect Fan Operation During Other Repairs: Whenever your car is getting any work done on the cooling system or the air conditioning system, the mechanic should check the operation of the cooling fan(s) to make sure they are turning on at the right time and spinning at the correct speed. Catching a fan motor issue early can prevent bigger problems down the road.

In simple terms, the cooling fan motor is the electric power that makes the engine cooling fan spin. If it’s bad, your engine might overheat, your AC might not be cold, and the “check engine light” could come on. It’s a good idea to check the fan blade when replacing the motor and to check the fan’s operation during other cooling or AC repairs.