VW Golf mk4 fan control module replacement

[@sevexpei]

Thanks for the video! With some help I was able to replace my broken module with a used one from eBay, and repair a corroded wire. Now my AC is working great!

[@Corysdiyauto]

Excellent work! I'm glad that the video helped you.

[@ericlarsen3511]

Hey Cory - say, how do you go about testing the fan control module? My 2004 TDI Golf keeps blowing the 30 amp fuse when I engage the AC but ONLY with the engine running. Without the engine running, I have both fans spinning. I disconnected the AC compressor coil and it still blows that (S180) fuse on the battery top box. I've inspected all wiring, pulled the FCM like you did in this video and my wiring, connectors, and FMC all look pristine. Pins all shiny and no corrosion anywhere. I'm befuddled. Don't want to spend $200 on a FCM if that's not the problem. I have the FCM pulled out but don't know how to go about testing it. Thanks! Good videos!

[@Corysdiyauto]

Thanks for watching! I don't know how to go about testing the FCM unfortunately. They are known to cause all sorts of weird issues though. You can always try replacing it with a used one to see if that fixes the problem. If you do buy a new one, make sure it's an OEM part and not a knock off. It needs to be a good quality replacement.

[@ericlarsen3511]

@@Corysdiyauto Thanks for the reply, Cory! I appreciate it. Yeah, I don't think it's my FCM as I'm getting short to ground with the fans plugged-in but not with the fans not plugged in. So I'm into the weeds on my problem but it increasingly looks like the FCM is innocent! Thanks pal.

[@mohamedhawel4094]

​@@ericlarsen3511 Hello.. Please let me know if you find a solution to this problem.. I now have exactly the same problem

[@ericlarsen3511]

@@mohamedhawel4094 Hi Mohamed, Yes! I did find a solution -- it took replacing the fans. Apparently there is enough resistance that builds in the circuitry to keep frying the fuse. I went to the local mega auto parts store and bought new fans mounted on the plate. In my case, I can't easily get the mounting plate out of my Golf so I pulled the fans off of the plate and installed them in the plate that already was mounted in the vehicle. Only took about a half hour -- far less than the numerous days spent chasing shadows and going down rabbit holes. Once the new fans were installed, the fuse blowing stopped and has not returned since. It's been a year now. If it happens again, I would start by simply replacing the fans -- something that fixes most of the issues surrounding this problem.

[@jamesmanley8]

Hi Cory, thanks for all the mk4 related videos youre doing, they are a very valuable resource for all mk4 owners! I’ve got a petrol anniversary with non working AC and the fans intermittently kicking in for no given reason. How did you know that a broken fan control module was the culprit for your AC not working? Did you experience similar symptoms of the fans turning on and off at random?

[@Corysdiyauto]

Thanks man! I didn't have A/C because the compressor wasn't getting power from the control module. I also had some corroded wires that needed replaced as well. If you decide to replace the control module, get a good one (VW). Don't go cheap on it because they aren't reliable. Your intermittent fan situation could likely be a faulty control module, corroded wires, or the fans themselves.

[@jamesmanley8]

@@Corysdiyauto thanks for the reply! I didn’t realise the fan control module controlled the AC compressor clutch. Will defo give that a go! Another question, how are you finding your Koni shock absorbers and solid rear axle bushings?

[@Corysdiyauto]

I love the suspension setup. It's great for a daily driver, not too harsh of a ride. The Cupra R rear bushings were a good upgrade! You can definitely notice the difference when cornering.

[@khalilRehman-fq8kq]

very nice and use ful video many thanks

[@Corysdiyauto]

Thank you

[@ericamoss1497]

@Corysdiyauto Is it really necessary to get under the car to remove the two plugs from the FCM? It seems like the pigtails drop down from above so could you not unbolt the module and lift it up to remove the plugs? I'm curious now whether your module was actually blown or whether it was just the broken wires. Did you happen to test it?

[@Corysdiyauto]

I guess you could get it from the top if you wanted, it's your choice. I think it's easier from the bottom, but that's my opinion. As far as the FCM goes, I didn't test it. The corrosion from the wires could have been the problem, yes. I just decided to replace the FCM anyways since it was 21 years old.

[@CarlosRamosGonzalez-o7z]

Graxias muy buen video y diagnostico very good video thanx uuuu

[@Corysdiyauto]

You're welcome!

[@octaviansorescu7427]

Super Good!!! Good Job!

[@Corysdiyauto]

Thank you!

[@steeloversteel]

Bonjour super vidéo ! Elle va mettre utile énormément je te remercie encore j'aurais besoin du savoir car je possède un golf 4 tdi année 2002 mais je ne sais pas lequel prendre car il y a lettre k et M comment en être sûr

[@Corysdiyauto]

Thank you. Look at your fan control module (FCM) and see what your part number is. Hopefully that helps.

[@steeloversteel]

@@Corysdiyauto finalement j'ai trouvé la bonne référence. Comment allez-vous déconnecter les deux prises avez-vous utilisé des outils car très difficile pour déconnecter du module si vous avez quelques astuces je suis preneur merci

[@Corysdiyauto]

Do you mean the wire connections?

[@steeloversteel]

@@Corysdiyauto oui c'est exact j'ai du mal à le déconnecter à la main sans outil

[@steeloversteel]

@@Corysdiyauto exactement. Les deux grosses fiches qui se sont branchés sur le module sont difficiles à déconnecter 😭. J'ai peur de casser les clips en plastique. Si vous avez une astuce. Merci

[@iam_mk1]

how do we know my if my relay os faulty?? my radiator fan speed is very low.

[@sniperpaintcorrection]

My radiator fan just keeps going even when the car is off and not hot . Untill the battery dies. I have to unplug the fan while the battery is connected so it turns off . Is this caused by a faulty FCM? I feel like this just started after my coolant overflowed on it

[@Corysdiyauto]

That could definitely be the issue, yes.

[@sniperpaintcorrection]

@@Corysdiyauto thank you. And one more question . I just changed the radiator yesterday and I have very little coolant leaking out the bottom mount screw where the rubbers go in at the bottom and the little pin that drops in .

[@Corysdiyauto]

@sniperpaintcorrection6790 - I've never replaced the radiator in mine, so I'm not sure why you'd have a leak unless it's a defective radiator?

[@Lunchbox_323]

Not sure if this is my issue but my fans turn on when driving so that car won’t overheat but fans won’t run when I turn on the AC switch. Any advice?

[@Corysdiyauto]

Check your fuses first.

[@AndreiFara-f6m]

Hey, is there a way to check which code model I need for the FCM without taking the old one out?

[@Corysdiyauto]

Try looking online at vwpartsvortex.com You just need to type in your vehicle information and then search the various parts diagrams and hopefully you can find the FCM part number. I hope this helps.

[@warfirebg9354]

What type of engine is that because every engine variant has different module my engine is 1.6sr 101hp

[@Corysdiyauto]

It's the 1.9l ALH

[@warfirebg9354]

@@Corysdiyauto Do you happen to know what module my engine has.

[@Corysdiyauto]

@@warfirebg9354 - Sorry, I do not know. What year is yours?

[@warfirebg9354]

@@Corysdiyauto 1998-1999 ish

[@CharafMamoni-y8l]

​moteur 130 la@@Corysdiyauto

[@patricksun8465]

Hello my left fan broke off and is hanging other fan isn’t moving at all. Took it in the shop and said fan replacement is 560$ and now they are saying my ac module I’m supposing is this is fried and when connected with the 50amp fuse is smelling like plastic smoke and said I need a ac module replacement any tips and things I should tell a new auto shop I’m in high-school and low on money

[@Corysdiyauto]

Sorry to hear about your issues. You could look for a good used fan control module on eBay and install it yourself to save on money. Or you can give it to your local mechanic to install for you if you don't want to do it yourself.

[@slimeprivilege]

were you having overheating issues at idle? i'm having an issue where my car is overheating and seemingly the driver side radiator fan doesn't kick in at all. normally it drives fine and only did this when it was 100+ out the past week, when it starts to overheat and i turn the ac off it stabilizes itself to normal operating temp. i checked the fuse and it was good, then I bench tested the driver fan itself and it spins fine on low and high speed. my coolant sensor seems to be fine too and it's the green top. all i could think to check next is this control relay. 2001 vr6

[@Corysdiyauto]

No, I wasn't having any overheating issues. My A/C compressor just wouldn't engage, that's it. I did have a decent amount of corrosion on the wires for the control module. I would check that area if I were you. I always wanted a VR6! It's definitely one of the best sounding engines in my opinion.

[@koopaid8165]

I have this exact same issue with mk4 vr6 (24v). After driving down the highway for a while if I’m at idle it will overheat. The only issue I can think of is the fan control module. Somehow mk4’s overheating at idle seems to be a common issue and yet, no one has an answer…

[@melebsby]

Hello i got same case with my golf, when it need to start the cooler it get clicking sound like something not allowing em to start spinning is my problem the same as your ?

[@Corysdiyauto]

It could be, yes.

[@melebsby]

@@Corysdiyauto somehow l fix it hahaha my problem was fuse, thanks for reply anyway

[@Corysdiyauto]

Easy fix! Good job.

[@UMMMN-t4m]

I changed my relay box still not working I will ch age the radiator switch also don't know what else can be the problem

[@Corysdiyauto]

Check your fuses.

[@UMMMN-t4m]

@@Corysdiyauto also checked

[@Corysdiyauto]

@@UMMMN-t4m - Do your fans turn on when you push the A/C button inside the car?

[@UMMMN-t4m]

@@Corysdiyauto no nothing could be resistor in the fan unit ?

[@UMMMN-t4m]

@Cory's DIY Auto I also bridge the radiator fan switch and only seems to come on high speed when bridgeing

[@vampir335]

I bought a cheap knock off and it never worked the way i wanted it to

[@Corysdiyauto]

That's not good. Sometimes you have to pay more for quality parts....... especially for these cars.

[@vw_beetle_dave]

my ac fan works but my other big fan does not spin . . why would this be

[@Corysdiyauto]

Well, it could be several things. Check the simple things first, like the fuses. It could be the fan motor that's bad too, or a faulty FCM. I would check your fuses first, then move on from there. Hopefully this helps.

[@vw_beetle_dave]

@@Corysdiyauto fuse looks good big fan does spin by hand but bit stiff

[@Corysdiyauto]

Also, look for any signs of corrosion on the wiring. You could have a bad fan motor.

[@vw_beetle_dave]

@@Corysdiyauto more then likely bad fan I’ll take a look.

[@vw_beetle_dave]

@@Corysdiyauto looked at fan and it looks and feels bad so ill get a new one

[@oneofmany5095]

He used the car for off road racing

[@dynamo4543]

the module is in such an annoying spot

[@zdenekkindl2778]

Why is your car so dirty? You should see my car…!

[@Corysdiyauto]

It's my daily driver, not a show car. It's typical for western Pennsylvania.