Your Ram 1500 Radiator Fan is normally mounted on the radiator and works to pull air through it to keep the engine cool, especially when idling at low RPMs when the airflow passing through the radiator is lower than at road speeds.
Virtually all recent models of vehicles, including the vast majority of road-going vehicles, use a radiator fan equipped with an electric motor to keep the engine cool.
What is the Function of the Radiator Fan?
While your Ram 1500 engine operates, the coolant temperature will continue to rise, and if there is no air moving through the radiator to cool it, it will cause overheating issues. Therefore, the function of your Ram 1500 Radiator Fan is to provide airflow for your engine using electric motors.
The electric motors found on various cooling fans are no different from regular industrial electric motors, and they are often a serviceable and replaceable component in your car.
In case you suspect your vehicle might be having a faulty Radiator Fan, here are a few symptoms:
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Ram 1500 Radiator Fan
One of the first and most common symptoms of a failing Radiator Fan is when the cooling fans do not come on.
- Fans fail to come on: If your Radiator Fan burns or fails, your cooling fans will be automatically disabled. Your cooling fan works together with the cooling fan blades to direct air into the radiator. If your Ram 1500 Radiator Fan motor fails, the blades will not be able to spin or generate any airflow.
- Overheating: Another critical symptom that could mean your Ram 1500 Radiator Fans are faulty is when your vehicle is constantly overheating. Your cooling fans are thermostatic and will automatically come when the temperatures rise to a set level. Therefore, if your Radiator Fan motor fails and disables the fans, then your engine temperature will continue to rise until your engine finally overheats.
- Blown fan fuse: You also need to note that your engine overheating could be caused by a variety of things. A blown fuse in your Radiator Fan circuit could also be another symptom of a potential problem with the cooling fan motors.
If your Ram 1500 Radiator Fan motor fails to surge, it may cause the fuse to blow to protect the rest of the system. It’s, therefore, important to have your Ram 1500 diagnosed before rushing to conclusions.
Ram 1500 Radiator Fan Costs
Depending on the diagnosis, the best course of action when your Radiator fan fails is to replace it. When purchasing your Radiator Fan replacement, it’s important to acquire it from a reputable retailer.