Cooling Fan Running Too Often

[Snake31]

For the last two months my 2011 m56x's cooling fan has been running nearly non stop. Even on a cold morning initial start up, the kicks on within 20 seconds most days. It definitely turns on way before reaching operating temperature. Took the car to the dealer and they said it was normal. The did not used to act like this. Does anyone know of the different scenarios that would cause the fan to come on?

Thanks,
Jake

[Ilya]

Maybe thermostat issue or something? Giving fans faulty temp signal?

[lovemycarM35]

I would take it to another dealer if you have that option.

[Snake31]

I looked into this some more and found that I was a little low on coolant; it was about 1/4" below the minimum line. I had a slow leak on the top driver side drain plugs after the timing chain recall was performed. I topped it off a while ago but perhaps it needed a bit more. I topped it off tonight but still the fan runs more a frequently and louder than it used to. Upon further inspection, I noticed that the driver side fan does not come on at all . I let the engine idle for ten minutes and still no driver side fan.

[Kprad12]

I looked into this some more and found that I was a little low on coolant; it was about 1/4" below the minimum line. I had a slow leak on the top driver side drain plugs after the timing chain recall was performed. I topped it off a while ago but perhaps it needed a bit more. I topped it off tonight but still the fan runs more a frequently and louder than it used to. Upon further inspection, I noticed that the driver side fan does not come on at all . I let the engine idle for ten minutes and still no driver side fan.

wow glad the dealer "looked into the problem" and found nothing so greedy :c

[Snake31]

Today I swapped the driver-side and passenger-side cooling fan control modules with each other and the driver-side fan now works and the passenger-side does not. I have ordered a new module from rock auto. If any of you guys notice your fan making more noise than usual, more often than usual, then check that both fans are turning on as they should.

[DFW2011M56S]

I would not notice on my car. I have the fans set to run 100% duty cycle by 185°F or 220 psi on the A/C. I also have them programmed to run at a higher duty cycle even with a cold engine and they ramp up as the engine warms up more quickly from the low duty cycle. Really helps in this warm climate. It helps keep the engine bay temps cooler. Especially combined with the Nismo ~140°F thermostat. I wish someone like Koyorad would step up and make a decent aluminum radiator with a bigger core. That combined with an engine oil cooler would keep the car from going into reduced power mode in hot weather. Even with the changes I have done it was 86°F by the dash on the way home today and I still went into reduced power mode after a couple of spirited runs. Running the fans more also keeps the a/c blowing ice cubes longer at idle and low speeds.

[reggiebrown40]

Today I swapped the driver-side and passenger-side cooling fan control modules with each other and the driver-side fan now works and the passenger-side does not. I have ordered a new module from rock auto. If any of you guys notice your fan making more noise than usual, more often than usual, then check that both fans are turning on as they should.

Snake31, since the timing chain debacle I have had a lot more noise (high pitched whine) in the cooling fan(s) and it seems to be on more than usual. What ever happened with your car? When you replaced the module did the fan behave normally?

[Snake31]

Yes it is much quieter now that I've replaced the cooling fan module. Both fans are now working together rather than one doing all of the work. I picked up a new one from rock auto for about $35. It is a very quick and easy replacement. Once you remove the plastic radiator cover they are right there.

[reggiebrown40]

Gonna check it out this weekend. Thanks for the tip, Snake31

[EdBwoy]

Yes it is much quieter now that I've replaced the cooling fan module...

Reggie, since you mentioned a high pitched whine, I'd check the fans themselves first before getting the module. With the car off, spin the blades of each fan relatively fast. The one that seems to stop significantly faster might be binding.
And if you spin them slowly, then you could probably feel any bad bearings grinding and transmitting the lumpy movement to your hands.
As to why this would come right after the timing chain work, . Maybe it has just gotten quiet enough up front for you to hear other things.

[reggiebrown40]

EdBwoy, I was one of the ones that didn't have a good timing chain replacement experience. In the middle of replacing the timing chain the idiots at Tysons corner (va) put a hole in my radiator and then tried to charge me to replace it. Infiniti corporate stepped up and paid for a new radiator. I ended up towing my car to another dealer to get it installed. After that the whine became noticeable and has gotten louder and louder. Don't know who screwed what up and when, but all I know is that everything was working fine until the timing chain replacement.