Electrical For discussions regarding wiring up electrical modifications such as radar detectors, brake light mods, power sockets, and driving lights in Cooper (R50), Cabrio (R52), and Cooper S (R53) MINIs.

Electrical rad fan sucking up too much energy

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Old Mar 28, 2014 | 08:23 PM
  #1  
Javskies's Avatar
Javskies
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rad fan sucking up too much energy

So Ive come to realize that my fan is taking why to much energy. At idle my voltage is usually at >13.4 but when the fan it kicks In it goes down to 12.1 and below. Does anyone have any experience with this problem?
 
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Old Mar 29, 2014 | 06:02 AM
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It's normal to fluctuate a bit, are you getting a battery light or any warnings? It may be the alternator is starting to go or the fan itself. Check your grounds and other power connections for corrosion.
 
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Old Mar 29, 2014 | 10:23 AM
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Pretty normal....
An alternator only puts out 105 amps or so new....drops as they wear...brushes start to wear, regulator gets wonkey, diodes can fail....
And the voltage regulator works to matain the voltage....
I would not worry.... It is pretty common....almost expected.
If you are seeing slow cranks after lots of short trips, might be getting close to needing an alternator...but most folks run for a long time...usually till it fails entirely
 
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Old Mar 29, 2014 | 10:26 AM
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thats what i did. i just installed the new one last month
 
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Old Mar 29, 2014 | 10:50 AM
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ZippyNH
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Originally Posted by Javskies
thats what i did. i just installed the new one last month
I'm guessing you are seeing the voltage drop when the fan turns on HI....should be a RARE Occurrence....on low I would not expect to see much of a change....is you fan running a lot? Cycling on and off?
 
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Old Dec 21, 2014 | 04:50 PM
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is this the AUX fan that is running? does it have 2 speed? mine is cycling on and off. also if i put the car in my ignition some fan is running and i can somehow feel the steering wheel vibrates. not sure if that is the steering fan
 
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