Electric Cooling Fan Diagnostic 2004 BMW X5

[@matshagstrom9839]

well explained. I wish the guys at ,my local shop would watch this video so they could learn how the bmw electric cooling fan works

[@ilyasahmed2018]

After long time I got a solution for fan wiring thank you sir

[@appalachie]

Thank you! Very clear explanation, to the point, and pretty good video quality. Now, off to troubleshoot my stupid fan!

[@kyhomegarage3430]

appalachie Thank you for watching my video. I hope this will help you with your diagnoses. Good luck. Cheers

[@tukufuzubar7023]

Your 100% right. You can also throw power directly into the fan to see if it turns on.

[@classicfunctionalhealth3197]

Great video, very helpful. Hopefully I can diagnose my son's X5 with this help. Appreciate your work.

[@kyhomegarage3430]

David Sanders Thank you sir. Good luck with your project. Cheers

[@armandonika]

Very nice video yes normally when the PWM increases or decreases so does the speed of the fan, Terry from Stuzman channel did a great explanation on the PWM. There is no resistor used so no current lost for nothing 😀

[@kyhomegarage3430]

armando nika I love his channel. He is pretty smart guy. A lot to learn from. 👍

[@nestordiaz8380]

I have this same problem with my X5. Thanks for your excellent job and explain step by step. Good job!!!

[@kyhomegarage3430]

Néstor Díaz thank you sir

[@carlosomarcoria3578]

Ok 👌. Me pasa exactamente igual con mí BMW x5 año 2002. 'Thanks you'

[@porfiriopreciado9156]

Great video

[@justgosee]

Hi. So I've got power and when I turn the AC on ive still got power off the control wire but it never drops at all. Fan doesn't work. Do i have more than one problem? Thanks either way and great video!

[@gregorystefanek5604]

I’m in the same boat, been spending days trying to figure this out ! Did you end up finding a solution?

[@brianalba735]

Thank you for the info and and helping others. Boss!

[@gregorystefanek5604]

Thanks for making this

[@Yophillips3272]

I gave up and just wired the cooling fan to a switch in the car. It runs full blast and sounds like an airplane but no more overheating. I know it needed a new fan anyways because it would get stuck on even with the key out, but then it eventually stopped working all together, so at that point I got a new fan , new fan didn't work either. So I'm guessing it's something to do with the computer.? Or the 2nd new fan was broken too? Hard telling but I don't want to put anymore money into it, the 2nd fan was "lost" so I couldn't check if it was working or not. Maybe when the switched fan motor burns out I'll try to fix it right.

[@torylynn2913]

Your video was extremely helpful!! Nice job!!!

[@kyhomegarage3430]

Thank you my friend. I hope this was helpful. Cheers

[@BigMike-Soetoro]

@@kyhomegarage3430 Is it possible that the fan can be working/spinning but not doing the job properly?

[@Z-Davidoff]

Thanks for the tips on the sensor wire!!

[@richardfuisdale1325]

Hi thanks for fast response. The minimum voltage with AC on and engine running was appx 11.5 , nothing less than that !!! Ambient outside air temp is 26 degrees and engine at normal running temperature, whilst in the car I get partial cooling and with few more engine revs I can feel bit more cooling going on .

[@kyhomegarage3430]

richard fuisdale Sounds like you could be low on freon. I would check that first.

[@richardfuisdale1325]

Hi again , this may seem a strange question but will an X5 aux/condenser fan work in a 2003 E65 vehicle . The reason I ask this is that an X5 fan is readily available more than an actual E65 fan ! I am trying one at the moment but seem to be getting a different result . I had my local car factors check my freon and was told there is plenty in !

[@kyhomegarage3430]

richard fuisdale I really don't know. Sorry

[@JassemHashmi]

Hi very useful vdo, im having a similar issue fan isnt working, my voltage for signal wire on key on is abt 12.7volts and car running is at 13.4volts when i switch the AC it cools but the voltage remains the same I ran the car for abt 5mins.... the power volts and grnd are ok....I thought my DME was shot but im going to get anothrr fan and check....any suggestions? Thanks

[@georgemalek6601]

Nice job in explaining what is required for the fan to operate! I am working on a X5 2006 that the a/c works driving down the road, but takes 2 miles to get cool.Took it to a shop for an evac and recharge and they diagnosed a bad condenser fan, so I’ve ordered one. As I follow your testing, I have the good ground, 12+ on the positive, at all times, but no voltage at the control circuit, connectors mated and probe wire into small wire seal, engine off and key on. Then I picked up your comment as I watched a second and 3rd time, saying the control voltage is coming through the fan to a/c controller looking for ground to operate. Is this how PWM works? Will see if new fan runs when it arrives, But, you say it Won’t run. Do you have any other confirming tests I can perform? Have a Creator310 scanner. Well, still awaiting the new fan, but for curiosity took it for a 3 mile drive, when the A/C is working, 30 mph, and left it running when I got back to driveway, popped the hood, and Fan Is Operating! Now I am totally confused, but it works, just not with key on, engine off.

[@everardocamacho5063]

Thank yo Ramon for your information, cheers, keep it up

[@kyhomegarage3430]

Everardo Camacho thank you my friend

[@mattdewsbury]

Brilliants video , just what I needed ! When you’re taking the reading for the control wire I’m assuming you’re just picking up a ground with one prob and back probing with the other to get the voltage ? Thanks !

[@kyhomegarage3430]

Yes your black lead goes to ground and red to signal wire.👍

[@natewithdascat1626]

Where can I find the computer module in the car

[@johnvillas2879]

what is that small box next to the fan shroud that's connected to the Auxiliary fan. is that a relay or another controller

[@134ondarun]

It's a Cabin air control sensor. Has nothing to do with the cooling fan. Wierd I know but I removed it and looked up part numbers. It's just cabin related.

[@niewissen9912]

@@134ondarun its for the auto mode in climate control. If it detects impurities in outside air, it will automatically recirculate air inside cabin

[@bahrainson6344]

Thanks you. How can I keep the cooling fan running high speed all the time?

[@hyper8213]

Hi Kentucky, I've got similar problem the air con works when driving but sitting in traffic fan does not engage. I tried your test and I'm only getting 2.5 volts at trigger wire what would you suggest. Thanks

[@kyhomegarage3430]

Go ahed and change electric cooling fan. 👍

[@BigMike-Soetoro]

⁠hi mate. I own a bmw x5 2004. I’ve replaced the condenser , compressor, radiator fan, condenser fan, and expansion valve and still don’t have COLD 🥶 air. The most it gets is “cool”. What am I missing?

[@antonio1984hb]

I have no power on the thick power wire where is the fuse located i cant find it

[@brianalba735]

Did you find out why you have no power on the thick power wire? I’m having the same problem

[@Yophillips3272]

I read on the internet the fuse for the fan is behind/ underneath the glovebox. Not in the normal fusebox but behind it hidden. Got to love BMW. But that was for 325i

[@BhupinderSingh-nn5qe]

If the control wire of the fan is not showing proper signal what is the solution we have BMW 740li petrol 2008

[@kyhomegarage3430]

Bhupinder Singh what voltage do you have on signal wire?

[@steveretirednavyengineer9976]

Great video! My 2004 X5 has battery and alt voltage power steady on signal wire which does not change with AC module switch on or off. Of course the fan will not run and has power and ground verified as you did here. Also AC will not blow cold idling or at speed. Compressor operates when module AC switch is actuated. Any ideas?

[@maxndozer]

is the fan only supposed to come on with a/c only or with the defrost on as well thank you

[@kyhomegarage3430]

Don DeVos for A/C only. Thank you

[@EARTHKEENING]

My aux fan always on High speed from the first start in the morning till the end of the day it won't stop at all , my temperature Guage always in the middle I don't have over heating issue . What I should check please .

[@welltekdiagnostics6835]

Good job .but if you can add value of duty cycle % will be great

[@kyhomegarage3430]

welltek diagnostics thank you sir. Next time I will show duty cycle% and with this OTC scope is very easy to do. Cheers

[@richardfuisdale1325]

Hi this is great video but my problem is the small control wire voltage barely changes . With AC on or off its still about 12.4 volts and still fan doesn't run , any thoughts on this ?

[@kyhomegarage3430]

What is minimum voltage on control wire and is AC working?

[@thedan874]

@@kyhomegarage3430 Hi, mine is doing the same as this guy, the voltage doesn't drop lower than 12.5 and fan won't run. The air con does work if you hold the car on almost redline for a few minutes, I havnt checked the signal voltage after the air con has actually stared working (by sitting at high revs)

[@KH_E53_M57]

Any updates on this guy's ? I have the same problem. Control wire has 12.5v continually. Is it the fan needs replacing or is there a short. In the wire ?

[@keileung5567]

hi, did you probe the pwm signal while the fan is connected? I have a 2006 e90, with the fan unplugged/disconnected, the pwm signal wire shows 4.3v on a dvm with ac on and off. seemed its constant n not changing. Unfortunately I dont have a scope

[@kyhomegarage3430]

kei leung I didn't I will check with my scope. Thank you.

[@keileung5567]

on the e90, I had to unplug the fan connector in order to get the pwm signal terminal on the cable. look forward to your further finding. thank you.

[@keileung5567]

seems the fan has an internal pull up resistor so I suspect the electronics inside the fan is fault or bad connection inside the module. put in a new fan and its working now. fingers crossed it will continue to work (b4 the problem was intermittent)

[@kyhomegarage3430]

kei leung Awesome I am glad you got it fixed. Thank you for update. Cheers

[@keileung5567]

your vid pointed me to the right direction. thankyou.

[@stevebujdoso7797]

Does the a/c coil, in the compressor match with x5 3 litre with x5. 4.4 or 4.6 liter? Are they the same coil? Nippon sensor. Carbide?? Please.. thanx..

[@johnvillas2879]

i have replace my Auxiliary fan but it only works when the temp reach to the middle. not like when i got the car it turn when i turn the A/C even when the engine is cold.. what do you think is the problem please advise.. thanks

[@kyhomegarage3430]

john villas Does your AC works?

[@johnvillas2879]

yes it gets cold now. thanks for the tips

[@1stBloodyPigs]

Hey there is me again sorry to bother u. I test all the wires like u but the control wire have no current run through? but when I test continuety is does have? So what he problems there?

[@kyhomegarage3430]

SKINHEAD DOG so you are saying that your control wire from PCM to electric fan doesn't have any voltage on it. Do you have car running and AC on ?

[@1stBloodyPigs]

ramon ruzic no I didn't. So the AC should be on then? Thank you again

[@kyhomegarage3430]

SKINHEAD DOG yes turn AC on start your car and check voltage on your control wire. What is your original problem ?

[@1stBloodyPigs]

ramon ruzic radiator fan won turns on. Only when it feels fits! Now not at all? so now I've found out is the wires. Replace em all. But now the fuel pump any ideas?

[@1stBloodyPigs]

Is the control wire which turns the aux fan on when over heats?

[@drunclewallace8924]

Hi I have a 2005 BMW X5 which has the cooling issue you mentioned, the guy who tried to re-gas told me that my auxiliary condenser fan is not working anymore. How many fans do I have on my BMW X5 E53? Is there a Raidator Fan as well as the Auxiliary Condenser Fan? Or they are the same thing? Is there any cheap but good enough parts I can order from Amazon or eBay instead of the original / OEM part which is very expensive? Thanks Forget to mentioned that my X5 E53 is the 3.0d model (Diesel) and I've read someone mentioned the fan is different in size between Diesel and Petrol version of E53, not sure how true that is.

[@albeee8030]

Ok so what was results you changed switch fuses ???? It didn't read 0.0 volts as you stated to use as indicator of changing out fan itself. My 2006 E53 X5 is doing what your fan is here it doesn't come on at all. Thanks for posting video on it i was wondering why and how to conduct a test on this very thing again thank you.

[@kyhomegarage3430]

Al Beee What voltage did you measure on your control wire?

[@albeee8030]

KY Home Garage KY Home Garage thank you for responding sir. I actually haven't gotten to perform that specific test yet. Weather is up n down rain snow freezing ice not lot but i want to wait until its like 85-90° out for like at least two weeks nothing but sunshine.

[@albeee8030]

Right now im unfortunately able to run the test as i am not getting any i mean any type of power period. I can only unlock driver door with key in the door (not remotely). I charged my battery up using trickle charger for motorcycle. I put key in ignition only thing lit up was air bag sensor. I am thinking alternator bad as the battery is still under the warranty 18 month at that plus water leaked into cabin from center ceiling console as well via passenger side A Pillar so i might have some computer issues too..i removed both pillars unclog them so any water could freely flow down the tubes to ground. Some how passenger side is either kinked or clogged maybe. So i gotta check those things as well.

[@kyhomegarage3430]

Al Beee very common problem on this car is parasitic battery drain from shorted final stage unit ( HVAC fan resistor ).

[@albeee8030]

KY Home Garage KY Home Garage thank you what could possibly be a reason as to why their is the parasitic battery drain though? Could it be caused from water leaking into cabin area as i stated or is this due to something not going to sleep fully when you turn vehicle off?

[@dorseap]

I just have two questions,my fan doesn't turn on when the A/C is turned on... Should the power control wire voltage reading drop to 0 volts when the A/C is turned on? (Allowing the fan to kick on). Also, does the fan ONLY turn on when the A/C is turned on or does the fan turn on also when the engine reaches a certain temperature? Truly look forward to hearing back from you. Thanks for this video thus far, ALOT OF HELP.. also, my scanner is reading a code "2Efe, electric fan, activation" if you could shed light on this, that would be great

[@kyhomegarage3430]

Dorsea Palmer If your voltage drops from 12V to 0V on your signal wire with AC on and power and ground on cooling fan are good replace fan. Thank you

[@dorseap]

When I back probed my red/blue wire. I'm only getting 4.37 volts. (This is key on engine off)

[@dorseap]

@@kyhomegarage3430 do you know where the fuse is so I can see why there isn't any power going to the fan?

[@kyhomegarage3430]

Fuse is # 61 50A in gove box fuse panel. Thank you.

[@porfiriopreciado9156]

Hello there did you get it fixed if you did what was the problem? Thank you

[@david_gloria4_pb]

My 2005 bmw x5 v6 is over heating. Its not getting no power to fan what could it be?

[@paologv701]

Hi there, my problem is the oposite, the fan is always on even with the car completely turned off, I have to disconnect The fan to turn it off. I decided to check all 3 pins with the fan connected and disconnected. Also, this fan is brand new (sure, new parts could also come defective from factory but I just want to make sure that everything is ok, I don't like being a parts changer.) Fan connected: my power was ok (12v) my ground was ok and the signal was always at 12V, with the car turned on or off, it was always the same 12 volts. Even decided to turn the car off and disconnect the ECU entirely (which I believe I shouldn't have done, but I was desperate.) And the fan was still spinning. Fan disconected: Power was ok as well as ground, but didn't get anything from the signal, I believe the circuit has to be closed in order to get readings from the signal. I'm not sure if the signal has a short or if the ecu is busted, I just want to make sure that I've checked everything. But if I had a short, shouldn't I be getting some sort of reading even when the fan is disconnected? I'm sorry for writing so much, I just haven't been able to find out what's wrong, maybe I'm missing something stupid.

[@kyhomegarage3430]

looks like you have bad fan.

[@paologv701]

Oh well, guess I'll check that out.

[@kyhomegarage3430]

If you see 12V on signal wire your wire is not shorted to ground. You could have open in signal wire (fan module itself sends 12V to PCM and PCM will pull it ground) to make signal. Check voltage at PCM on your signal wire. If you have 12V at PCM everything is good your fan is bad.

[@Nauticalimage]

My fan comes on after I turn the car off so what would be the problem then?

[@kyhomegarage3430]

Everything Watercraft cooling fan can stay on up to 10 min after engine is switched off based on calculated catalyst temp.

[@robbqueen8442]

Where is the other lead hooked up to. I noticed you used 1 multimeter lead only. Is is hooked up to ground? Thanks and great video.

[@kyhomegarage3430]

Robb Queen yes black lead is hooked to ground. You don't see that because it's bnc lead ( has only one connector at my labscope) other end is split to two leads. Thanks for watching

[@robbqueen8442]

Thanks for the reply. Could I use battery ground or chassis ground?

[@kyhomegarage3430]

Robb Queen you can use both but battery ground is better.

[@everardocamacho5063]

hi Ramon where I can get the leads for my matco determinator 5.0 scanner, so I can use the dmm and the scope function, thank you, great videos

[@kyhomegarage3430]

www.ebay.com/itm/152600474766

[@kyhomegarage3430]

This will work or any test leads with BNC connector. This is from China it will take longer to receive package but it's lot cheeper. Cheers

[@HowToDoitright]

I checked and there is no voltage my control wire....seems like i have a open or short on my control wire but i am not sure where is the module located so i can measure voltage right at the module and maybe run a new wire....ill appreciate any help

[@kyhomegarage3430]

How To Do it Did you check power and ground wire ? To check signal wire connector must be plugged in and key in On position.

[@HowToDoitright]

ah ok so i retested it with it connected to the fan and this time with the car on my voltage was 13.25 on control wire and around 14v on power wire. ground was good. with the ignition on my voltage was around 12v on both power wire and control wire. i had already purchased another fan so i connected the new fan but same issue and same readings. with the car on the voltge on control wire does not drop at all. i am suspecting that the voltage i am reading is backfeeding from the fan and is not really the voltage coming from the car computer. if i know where this control computer is located which is sending the signal i am maybe go to the source to try to measure readings.. ill appreciate any help in guidance

[@kyhomegarage3430]

How To Do it voltage on signal wire is coming from fan itself and main computer will pull it ground. Does your AC works?

[@HowToDoitright]

KY Home Garage no my ac don’t work either. How do I trace this wire back to the computer!? Where is this computer located?

[@kyhomegarage3430]

How To Do it OK so your main problem is that AC doesn’t work. Don’t worry about computer. Unless AC works computer will not send signal to turn fan on. Find a reason why AC doesn’t work. Did you check freon?

[@paulgarza9944]

My fan stopped working, so I replaced the fan and now the fan stays on all the time even with the engine off. What do you recommend? Thanks

[@Usmanthemecano]

Check fan module operation

[@andreidepulasamaiei]

You still not showing us where in the word is the fuse for it.most important thing

[@kyhomegarage3430]

fuse 61 50 amp in fuse box behind glove box.

[@sparkden]

It's frequency ECU (controlled ) dependent {reactive resistance ) proportionally varies with AirCon load; the cooling demand. To test it you need to reproduce the pwm signal. Because those FANS are stupidly controlled by BMW they worn out and fail ---single point of failure! without blowing a fuse or tripping or another stuff...its much like dying in your sleep! BAD MONEYMAKING BMW RUBBISH

[@kyhomegarage3430]

spark thank you for sharing this info. That helps a lot to understand how system works. This is my second fan looks like they fail after two years of usage. I did buy aftermarket unit from eBay can't afford OEM. Thank you for watching sir. Cheers

[@sparkden]

Your explaining is nothing short but awesome! by the way the voltage is dropping when you switch a/c on because the signal is being compared to the wave form (( IC chip inside the fan (it generates its own PWM)) inside the fan motor itself. And when this waveform is smaller than the average PWM being sourced from car ecu (black control wire) PMW goes HIGH otherwise goes LOW. You are seeing voltage dropping - PWM going low as fan not spinning! some counter EMF(voltage) is generated in the coil and initially lowers the voltage being sourced but once the fan starts spinning then the two waveform are compared with each other and against a ref. voltage and then PWM goes high or low ; as responding to fan load - the current waveform is integral of voltage waveform... there is current always present in the fan coil (winding) hence there is voltage but the ecu is sourcing it with high enough frequency not to affect the fan! or in other words let the fan burn out rather than being a sink(potentially damaging ECU! if it sinks currents from fan coil) for the energy released from the coil when FAN at rest or off. Again this BMW design is a flaw as it shortens the life of the fan and can cause fires if your BMW is parked after a long rainy day or even if parked for long time with battery connected!!! (rather than blowing a fuse!! ) BMW using 3 wires to control fan speed which needs 4 wires!!there is no fourth (sense) wire to detect speed and send pulses back to protect the fan!!!

[@frankiesun09]

So what turned out to be the fix to your problem? You just leave us without a full explanation... Take this video down.

[@kyhomegarage3430]

Mike Nelson This car needs new cooling fan. Thank you.

[@134ondarun]

At 6:20 he mentions if you have similar volts when you test... it's a bad fan. Needs replacing.