curtisaudi

I have a 1996 audi a6 and I have noticed that when I'm done driving and I park, my radiator fans won't come on. I'm not sure if I have a bad relay or a bad fan. I've had my thermostat, water pump, heater core and head gaskets replaced in the last year, any suggestions?

a6hcw

On the 1996 A6 with AFC engine at the bottom of the radiator is the Auxiliary Fan Switch, which controls the two Auxiliary Fan relays. One pin of this switch connects to ground. The other two pins connect to the relay coils. So temporarily connecting a grounded wire to these pins should cause the relays to click. The relays are located in the box in the plenum in front of the windshield. If the relays click, but both fans do not run, then you may have a blown 50 amp fuse hidden behind the drivers footwell panel. This fuse is not listed in the owners manual. The two fans are connected in parallel to a resistor located under the windshield washer tank and to ground. The resistor is accessible from under the car with the large plastic cover removed.
Did you check with the engine still running or with the engine turned off? You need to check with the engine turned on.

a6hcw

You may be able to also check with the "key on engine off", but not with the "key off".

curtisaudi

I have a 1996 audi A6 and it overheats. when i'm driving for a period of time, the radiator fans will not kick on and the coolant resivior bubbles and overheats. The weird thing with the radiator fans is when I put the air conditioner on the fans come on, but when the air is off, they won't come on. I also have a 1998 audi cabriolet with the same 2.8 v-6 engine and when i'm driving, the fans come on like they're supposed to. Any suggestions?

curtisaudi

I have a 1996 audi a6, and when I'm driving for a period of time, my radiator fans will not come on and the coolant reservior overheats and spills coolant. My radiator fans only come on if I turn on the air conditioner,so I know the fans work, but when the air conditioner is off, they will not come on. I also have a 98' cabriolet withe the same 2.8l v-6 engine and the fans work like they're supposed to, any suggestions?

a6hcw

Which 2.8L engine do you have? Does it have 12 valves or 30 valves? My 2.8L AFC engine has 12 valves and my A6 has the C4 chassis.

curtisaudi

it's a 12 valve

Mett Ski

I have the exact same problem with my 94 100 S Wagon V6 2.8 12 valve. Both fans only come on when the A/C is switched on. Did you ever find the problem? I'm planning on replacing the radiator fan switch at the bottom of the radiator and the engine coolant temp sensor, as a starting point. I'm also considering replacing the radiator fan relay. Any advice appreciated, i'm trying to get this one roadworthy again. Thanks !

Mett Ski

Update: Fixed it. Ended up being the a/c fan relay stamped with 217 on it https://www.audiworld.com/forums/aud...y-pns-2817750/ i also replaced the radiator fan switch & engine coolant temp sensor for good measure.