Services
Insurance
Loans
Repairs
Advice
About

Can my car’s electric fans be slowed down?

It seems like when I drive my car, the electric fans are kicking into high gear, and it makes a really annoying sound when I drive it. Is there any way for me to slow these fans down?

avatar
Jason Crosby · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
The electric fan that you’re referring to is your
radiator
fan. A mechanic might be able to install an adaptor to help your fans rotate at a lower speed, but unless they’re really getting revved up, you don’t actually want your fans to be spinning too slowly. The reason is that your radiator can
overheat
if the fans aren’t pulling enough cool air in. These fans often kick on when the car isn’t getting enough air sucked in through the grille intake.
But if your radiator fan just won’t stop running, then it’s possible that it’s time for you to replace the cooling fan relay. Your cooling fan relay is connected to your vehicle’s onboard computer, which powers on the fan relay once the radiator reaches a certain temperature, usually over 215 degrees Fahrenheit. Relays can sometimes become stuck in the on position, which means that the radiator fan just keeps running, even when it’s not needed.
If you’d rather replace the cooling fan relay yourself, turn the vehicle off. Locate the fuse relay box under your car’s hood, and remove the lid. There should be a drawn diagram showing the location of each fuse’s corresponding relay. If the fuse isn’t blown, then you’ll know that the fan itself is the component causing the issues and needs to be replaced.
Replacing a cooling fan relay may be a task best completed by a mechanic—but saving money on your auto policy is something you can easily do on your own, with help from
Jerry
.
If you’re shopping for car insurance, Jerry will generate competitive quotes from top providers in less than a minute. Jerry gathers your information from your past insurer, so you’re not responsible for any long forms or phone calls. Basically, you get all of the savings and coverage, with none of the hassles.
MORE: Should Your Right to Repair Your Car Be Protected?
View full answer 
WHY YOU CAN TRUST JERRY
Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.

Join 4M+ members in lowering their car insurance

Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance

√
No long forms
√
No spam or unwanted phone calls
√
Quotes from top insurance companies
Find insurance savings