On my car between the front chrome grill and the radiator there appears to be a fan that I have never once seen turn. This might be a really dumb question but isn't it supposed to turn? There is a larger fan inside the engine compartment between the radiator and the belts and everything on the block. So what is the purpose of that fan up front? My car isn't overheating or anything so I was just wondering. Thanks! (I appologize if this is a really dumb question... :)

Brian

It also comes on when the the A/C is on in traffic, ie when really hot. I bypassed the relay which lets the fan run when the car is off to help cool it down. The power windows also work all the time too.

Make sure the fan spins first and to the previously mentioned electrical test.

General-

Do you mean that the same relay controls both the A/C fan and the power windows? My `90 745T has a relay located in the usual spot for the windows and the A/C fan relay is attached to the coolant reservoir. Is this just a model year difference? Are the relays piggy backed somehow?

It could be a model year difference. I refered to a 1986 model, not your later one. Consult the Volvo green wiring diagram manual.

The fan in front comes on in EXTREME temps. Has to get pretty hot to activate. There is a sensor in the upper pass side corner of the radiator. Turn on the key and unplug the 2 wires and short them together. The fan should start. If not, may be a bad relay or siezed fan motor. If you have power to 1 of the wires at the sensor with the key on, the relay is ok.

Extreme temps? Hmm...mine comes on in hot/warm whether when just idling or in traffic...turbos get the coolant pretty hot (if watercooled) and lack of motion translate into hot underhood temps. The fan goes off at about 12mph, because it really does little above that speed...well, it does little at any speed (small 2,250rpm fan).

HEY!!! Brian thanks for asking that. I had alway's wondered what that fan did myself but never thought to ask! Thanks for the info Bob!

John

87' 780 B280F 125K