Fan re-engaging at idle

[wdeydwondrer]

So quick question I couldn't find an answer for in the search feature. My 2019 has the lovely cement mixer in the morning (or any time I start) like I've learned is normal. What I'm curious about is if I stop at a red light for 1-2 minutes, or sit in a drive through for a few minutes, the cement mixer makes a return for about 15 seconds during acceleration again before going away. The temp gauge is sitting where it normally does and the behavior will also happen in 30 degree weather. Is this normal activity?

Thanks guys!!!

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[Jason B]

Probably. The engagement is dependent on coolant temp. In older vehicles this was purely mechanical by a viscous clutch. I believe that is now electrically activated. It's not an electric fan. The engine still turns the fan, but the clutch can be activated electrically.

 

[Wytchdctr]

Mine kicks in at odd times when getting going again. Just remember that temp gauge is just a bit beyond a dummy light. Very few run true temp gauges anymore. They have a range before they will move away from normal to keep warranty visits down. People freaking out that the car/truck warms up when sitting in traffic, etc.

 

[wdeydwondrer]

Thanks guys. I figured as much about the gauge seeing as how I've literally never seen it move out of it's "home". I was just concerned that I get the re engaging at idle even when I've only drove 2 miles in 30 degree weather, thinking there's no way the engine could be that hot. I guess I'm more curious if I'm risking anything other than wearing out that fan clutch if it's not supposed to be doing this. (should be pretty obviously if that fails!).

 

[Jason B]

I wouldn't worry about wearing it out. I think it still works like a viscous clutch (think torque converter) with a solenoid that can lock it in.

 

[Stevedbvik1]

Does it engage if inter cooler temps to high?

 

[VegasRanger]

I don't even notice when mine kicks on, even when its 107+ degrees here in the summer. I noticed that these engines seem to run on the cool side. In the winter here it takes a while to warm up, and the other day I went to the mountains, it was about 35 degrees. On the way down, it was all downhill so no load on the engine, and I actually saw my temp gauge drop back down to cold even while the engine was running because of the cool air coming through the front end. No vehicle i've ever owned has gone down in temp while actually being running and driving.

 

[wdeydwondrer]

I don't even notice when mine kicks on, even when its 107+ degrees here in the summer. I noticed that these engines seem to run on the cool side. In the winter here it takes a while to warm up, and the other day I went to the mountains, it was about 35 degrees. On the way down, it was all downhill so no load on the engine, and I actually saw my temp gauge drop back down to cold even while the engine was running because of the cool air coming through the front end. No vehicle i've ever owned has gone down in temp while actually being running and driving.

When mine engages it's loud and feels like the engine loses half its go juice until it's done. If that's normal I have no clue how you don't notice lol

 

[D Fresh]

When mine engages it's loud and feels like the engine loses half its go juice until it's done. If that's normal I have no clue how you don't notice lol

That is not normal. You should not feel a loss of power from the fan engaging.

 

[Rp930]

How hot is the outside temperature when it happens?

 

[Rviator]

It takes horsepower to run the fan so a loss of power may be perceptible to some, especially at initial low throttle launch from a stop.

 

[RedDakooter05]

When mine engages it's loud and feels like the engine loses half its go juice until it's done. If that's normal I have no clue how you don't notice lol

You sure? For some people, when the fan kick on the sound alone gives them the sensation of power loss.

Experienced it myself on a dodge dakota, and a gmc canyon years ago. No power loss, just "sounded" sluggish.

 

[Trey1940]

The engine fan can kick on at low speeds to move air across the AC condenser to regulate system pressure. Defrost uses the air conditioning, even if the AC light isn't on, which is usually the cause of the fan coming on at low ambient temps.

 

[wdeydwondrer]

How hot is the outside temperature when it happens?

Was doing this the other day after a 5 minute warm up and 5 minute drive at 24f outside.

 

[wdeydwondrer]

You sure? For some people, when the fan kick on the sound alone gives them the sensation of power loss.

Experienced it myself on a dodge dakota, and a gmc canyon years ago. No power loss, just "sounded" sluggish.

Quite sure. RPMs go higher when fan is roaring away. If it dies down in the middle of a gear I can feel it "grab and go". Not shifting but almost like it's a slipping gear that finally engages. Usually I'll try and baby it for the 20 seconds or whatever, but sometimes traffic is coming.

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