Buy Chevrolet (Chevy) Cruze Radiator Fans

Snapshot

The Chevrolet Cruze cooling fan-also called the radiator fan, electric engine fan, or condenser blower-is an electric motor-driven unit that pulls outside air through the radiator and A/C condenser to keep the 1.4 L or 1.8 L engine in its safe temperature range. It is a three-speed design (low, medium, high) controlled by a bank of fuses and relays and by data from the engine-control module. A properly working fan prevents overheating at idle, maintains steady cabin heat or A/C, and keeps under-hood parts from warping. Common Cruze complaints include the fan roaring at full blast, not coming on at all, or cycling rapidly-usually traced to a failed resistor pack, blown relay, or trapped air in the coolant circuit. GM issued Service Bulletin #14417 and other campaigns to correct low-coolant and fan-related issues. Basic hand tools and about one hour are enough for a driveway replacement, but owners must disable the battery and let the fan blades stop spinning before reaching in. (Wikipedia, CruzeTalk, Scribd)

How the Fan Works

• Electric design. Unlike older belt-driven "mechanical" fans, the Cruze uses a 12-volt motor mounted in a shroud behind the radiator. The motor turns a wide plastic blade that can move several hundred cubic feet of air per minute to shed heat. (Wikipedia, Wikipedia)
• Three speeds. Five relays (low, two medium, high, and speed-control) plus ballast resistors step the fan through low-, mid-, and high-speed operation as coolant and A/C pressures rise. (CruzeTalk, Scribd)
• Sensors & logic. The engine-control module (ECM) watches the coolant-temperature sensor and A/C pressure switch; when set points are reached it grounds the appropriate relay to energize the fan. (, Wikipedia)
• Cooling loop. Air drawn through the radiator cools Dex-Cool antifreeze, which circulates back to the block by the water pump and thermostat. This keeps the engine near 212 °F (100 °C) even in stop-and-go traffic.

Fuse & Relay Map

← scroll table horizontally →

Warning Signs

• Roaring fan after shutdown. Resistor pack or medium-speed relay open; ECM defaults to high speed. (CruzeTalk, CruzeTalk)
• Engine temp climbs at idle but drops when moving. Fan not engaging-often the 40 A fuse (#45) or P0480/P0481 code. (Scribd)
• Fan never turns off. Relay contacts fused together; pull high-speed relay to test. (CruzeTalk)
• Overheating with full coolant. Low-speed circuit dead; fan cannot keep up at low airflow. (Reddit, Reddit)

DIY Replacement

1. Disconnect battery to eliminate accidental start. (YouTube)
2. Remove top cover, unplug motor, and lift the shroud straight up (one-piece unit). (YouTube)
3. Swap the new fan, reverse steps, refill any spilled coolant, and clear codes with a scan tool. (YouTube, YouTube)
4. Let the engine idle until the upper radiator hose is hot; verify the fan cycles through all speeds.

Maintenance Tips

• Keep fins clear of leaves, bugs, and plastic bags so airflow stays strong. (Wikipedia)
• Replace coolant every five years or 150 000 mi and bleed air pockets-trapped air triggers Bulletin #14417.
• When washing the engine bay, avoid direct spray on the fan-motor connector to prevent corrosion. (Old World Industries)

Specifications

• Coolant capacity: 6.2-6.7 quarts (varies slightly by model year). (JustAnswer, Vehicle History, CruzeTalk)
• Voltage: 12 V nominal; the ECM will disable fan below 10 V. (Wikipedia)
• Blade diameter: approximately 15 in (single fan assembly). (YouTube)
• Operating temps: Low speed ~ 221 °F, medium ~ 230 °F, high ~ 240 °F coolant temperature command. (CruzeTalk)

Safety & Recalls

GM Customer-Satisfaction Program 14417 instructs dealers to top off coolant and warn technicians to "watch out for the engine cooling fan" because it can start at any time when bleeding the system. A separate consumer notice highlights Cruze coolant-leak complaints that may qualify for lemon-law relief in some states. (The Lemon Law Experts) Always verify outstanding recalls at the NHTSA VIN lookup. (The Center for Auto Safety)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Where is the cooling fan fuse on a Chevy Cruze?
A: In the engine compartment fuse box, slot 42 carries the main 40-amp fuse; slots 45 and 46 feed the high-speed relay and control circuit. (Scribd)

Q: Why does my fan run loud right after I turn the car off?
A: The ECM detected high coolant or A/C pressure and ordered high-speed operation; a burned resistor often leaves only the loudest speed working. (CruzeTalk, CruzeTalk)

Q: Can I drive if the radiator fan is broken?
A: Short trips at highway speed may stay cool, but city traffic or prolonged idling can overheat the engine-tow or repair ASAP. (Wikipedia)

Q: Which trouble codes point to fan faults?
A: P0480 (primary control circuit), P0481 (relay 2), and P0483 (high-speed) are the three most common. (CruzeTalk)

Q: Do I need to replace the whole assembly or just the motor?
A: The Cruze fan, shroud, and motor are integrated; replacing the full assembly is faster and ensures proper airflow and mounting. (YouTube)

Q: How long does a fan swap take?
A: About 45-90 minutes with basic tools once the air intake duct is out of the way. (YouTube)

Q: What size socket removes the mounting bolts?
A: A 10 mm socket fits the four upper screws that secure the shroud. (YouTube)

Q: Why does my Cruze overheat only when the A/C is on?
A: Low-speed fan or A/C pressure switch failure lets head pressure soar; the ECM then limits compressor output, but heat still builds. (YouTube)

Q: How often should I bleed air from the cooling system?
A: Anytime the coolant is drained more than one quart-follow GM's step-fill and bleed outlined in Bulletin #14417.

Q: What happens if I overfill coolant?
A: Excess fluid expands and vents through the surge-tank cap; repeated overflow may soak and damage the fan-motor wires. (Old World Industries)

Q: Is a louder aftermarket "performance" fan better?
A: Higher CFM can help under extreme loads, but stock airflow meets factory heat-rejection specs; extra noise and current draw offer little benefit for daily driving. (Wikipedia)

More to Explore

• Internal-combustion engine cooling basics
• Radiator function explained
• Chevrolet Cruze owner's manual-cooling section (Chevrolet)
• GM Program 14417 PDF
• Cruze forum discussion on 3-speed fan circuit

Reading these resources will deepen your understanding of how the Cruze cooling-fan system keeps the engine-and you-cool.