3 Solutions For Freightliner Engine Fan Not Coming On

Freightliner Engine Fan Not Coming On
Freightliner Engine Fan Not Coming On

Industrial engines like the Freightliner play a huge role in the trucking and RV industry. If it weren’t for these engines, it would be impossible to haul large vehicles safely.

However, even though the Freightliner engine is a popular option among larger vehicles, you can encounter problems.

For example, the fan is one of the most important parts of your Freightliner engine. If this fan stops working, your engine will overheat, and it can cause lasting problems for your vehicle.

The good news is that Freightliner engine fans are easy and affordable to repair or replace.

Please continue reading to learn why your Freightliner engine fan is not coming on. Our guide will walk you through the most common troubleshooting methods to help your Freightliner engine work as good as new.

Freightliner Engine Fan Not Coming On

Benefits of Freightliner Engine

Although some people encounter problems with their Freightliner engine, it’s still one of the most popular options among larger vehicles. The following are benefits you can expect with your Freightliner engine and why it sticks out in this market.

  • Engine durability: the most important factor when choosing an engine for a larger vehicle is how durable that engine is. Freightliner engines are known for their durability.
  • Engine longevity: Freightliner engines are built to last several years. Most of these engines don’t require much maintenance compared to other options for larger vehicles.
  • Towing capability: Freightliner engines are built to haul tons of weight. You’ll be able to tow your RV and daily driver with this engine.
  • Fuel efficiency: Despite being built for larger vehicles, Freightliner engines are known for fuel efficiency. Drivers of large vehicles will be satisfied with this news because they’ll save money on gasoline.

Even though Freightliner engines are extremely good options for large vehicles, routine maintenance is important. Engine fan malfunctions are not exclusive to this type of engine and can happen no matter which engine you purchase. These guidelines can help you with any of your engine fan problems.

Why Won’t Freightliner Engine Fan Turn On?

Freightliner engine fan isn't coming on

If your Freightliner engine fan isn’t coming on, there could be something wrong with the device. The following are the most common reasons Freightliner engine fans stop working.

  • The fan is jammed
  • There’s not enough power
  • Engine overheating
  • Faulty engine wires

Although these are the most common reasons your Freightliner engine fan won’t turn on, other factors could contribute to this problem. Below, we will detail these common issues so you can easily identify the cause of your engine fan not working.

1. Jammed Fan

Jammed Fan

If your Freightliner engine fan doesn’t turn on, there could be something jammed in the device. It’s not uncommon for foreign objects to make their way into your engine fan, and it caused a disruption with this device. In fact, debris that gets dislodged in your fan is common for anyone who owns a vehicle.

The only way to tell if your engine fan is jammed is to pop open the hood while your vehicle is off. You should not check your engine fan while your vehicle is on because this can cause injuries. Always be careful when operating on your vehicles to protect your hands, arms, and fingers.

2. Insufficient Power

Insufficient Power

You’ll want to check the battery supply on your engine. If you’re running low on battery power, then your engine fan won’t be able to turn on. You need enough energy to power the fan and keep your engine cool while you drive.

However, a lack of battery power doesn’t mean you need to replace your battery entirely. There are other ways to supply enough power to your engine to get your fan running as it should. On the other hand, insufficient power could signify needing to replace engine parts or repair them.

3. Overheating

engine overheats

Engine overheating is, unfortunately, more common than drivers would like to admit. If your engine overheats, several factors can go wrong simultaneously. One of the factors that can go wrong is that your engine fan doesn’t come on, which can cause the overheating problem to worsen.

Your dashboard will typically indicate if your vehicle engine overheats. You must turn your vehicle off immediately and examine the issue further.

You do not want to ignore an overheating engine because you can permanently ruin your vehicle. Engines are extremely expensive to replace, so avoiding the situation would be ideal.

4. Damaged Engine Wires

Damaged Engine Wires

The wires in your engine can receive damage without your awareness. Even though Freightliner engines are durable, every engine is susceptible to wire damage. Unfortunately, many environmental factors can affect your engine when you spend plenty of time outside.

To identify damaged engine wire if you’ll need to turn off your device and wait for the vehicle to cool down.

You do not want to check for damaged wires while the engine is too hot because it will burn you. So, wait at least 10 minutes after turning off your vehicle to check for damaged wires.

How To Troubleshoot Freightliner Engine Fan

Identifying the problem is the first step you must take in troubleshooting. If you don’t understand the issue, you can walk through these troubleshooting steps to resolve the problem. Walking through these troubleshooting methods will not cause any harm to your Freightliner engine.

1. Clear Fan Debris

Clear Fan Debris

The easiest and most effective first step you can take to troubleshoot your Freightliner engine fan is to remove any obstructions from the fan. Follow the steps below to clear any debris so that your fan operates as it should.

  • Turn off your engine
  • Leave the engine off for at least 10 minutes
  • After your engine cools down, open the hood
  • Locate your Freightliner engine
  • Check for any noticeable obstructions
  • Carefully remove obstructions from the fan

It’s common for large debris to get trapped in your engine fan because many people often travel when they have a Freightliner engine. These engines are designed for larger vehicles like trucks and RVs, so road trips are a big thing in this industry.

2. Check Engine Battery

Check Engine Battery

Another reason your Freightliner engine fan isn’t coming on is that there might not be enough power for your fan to work. Your vehicle dashboard will usually let you know when your battery runs low so that you can replace the device. It would be best to keep jumper cables in your vehicle at all times to protect yourself from getting stranded.

You can use a voltmeter to check your vehicle battery to ensure enough power for your engine. If there is not enough power, you’ll need to use the jumper cables to add battery power or replace the battery. If there’s insufficient voltage to power your engine fan, it could cause your engine to overheat.

3. Check Coolant

don't have enough coolant

Although your engine fan is not coming on, it usually causes an overheating issue. Sometimes, it can work the other way around. For example, if you don’t have enough coolant in your engine, it’ll be difficult to power your engine fan. Multiple factors can go wrong when your engine overheats, including cooling units.

It would be best to check their coolant every time you get an oil change to ensure everything is in working order.

Most people don’t need to change their coolant until at least a year goes by, but it’s best to play it safe. If you notice anything wrong with your coolant, you should flush out the fluid and replace it.

4. Replace Old Wires

Replace Old Wires

Sometimes the reason your engine fan doesn’t come on is that the wires of your engine are disconnected or damaged. You’ll need to turn off your vehicle and wait for it to cool down before checking your wires.

If you notice any damaged wires, it would be best to replace them as soon as possible, so your engine doesn’t fail.

5. When To Visit a Mechanic

Even though our troubleshooting methods will resolve most of your Freightliner engine fan problems, they won’t fix everything. In the following situations, it would be best to visit a mechanic for further assistance.

  • You’ve tried all of our troubleshooting methods
  • You’re nervous about working on your vehicle engine
  • You need an engine replacement

a mechanic will detect the problem

A mechanic can help you with any RV or truck problems you experience on your Freightliner engine. So, if an external factor contributes to your Freightliner engine fan not coming on, a mechanic will detect the problem and resolve it.

How Long Do Freightliner Engines Last?

You’ll unlikely need to replace your Freightliner engine during your vehicle lifespan. These engines are built to last for at least 500,000 miles. Most people will not reach this mileage limit while they own their vehicle Unless they purchase a used option.

Final Thoughts

Freightliner engines are extremely durable and built to last a long time. If your Freightliner engine fan doesn’t come on, you can usually resolve the problem independently.

However, if you’re unsure why your engine fan isn’t working, it’d be best to bring your vehicle to a mechanic for further inspection. The number one cause of Freightliner engine fans not working is debris that gets trapped in the fan and causes an obstruction.

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