6 Reasons Why the Fan Keeps Running on A Chevy Malibu

So you’ve turned off your Chevrolet Malibu, but you can hear the radiator fan whirring. Obviously, it’s still running.

It’s a real issue most car owners can relate to. This article will answer why your Chevy Malibu fan keeps running and how you can solve that.

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6 Reasons Your Chevy Malibu Fan Stays on All the Time

The most common causes for your Chevy Malibu fan to continue running even when you’ve turned off the engine are related to faults found in the fan relay, the temperature sensors, the ECU unit, the high-pressure switch, the coolant liquid, or the thermostat.

The work of your Chevy Malibu radiator fan is to maintain a cool temperature in the engine or under the hood.

When you shut off the engine, the electric fan will keep running until the engine is cool, so you will hear the fan noise seconds after turning off the car.

But, when it runs uncontrollably, it can lead to wear in the fan component and battery drain.

Tip: Use an OBD-II scanner tool to check if any Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) is showing up.

Here’s why your Chevy Malibu radiator fan is constantly staying on:

1. Faulty Fan Relay

Your fan motor relay acts as a switch that turns off or on the cooling operation according to the engine temperature limit.

It controls the entire action of your Chevrolet fan; hence, a fault in it will result in it running even with the engine off.

This is described as a relay short, and the consequence is a power trip.

2. Faulty Temperature Sensors

The sensor monitors the temperature produced by the thermostat and/or the coolant. They are responsible for giving off the feedback your vehicle fan needs.

If the temperature sensors are bad, they send the wrong result to the ECU, and what is the result? Your vehicle’s fan will keep running even if the engine is completely shut down.

3. Bad ECU Unit

Your Chevy’s engine control unit signals the fan when to turn off or keep running. A defective ECU will result in the fan not knowing when to stop running.

4. Low Coolant Level

The car coolant is the liquid that removes heat from the radiator. The lower the coolant level, the less effective it’ll be.

Technically, a little coolant will dissipate little heat, and the temperature sensor will signal the ECU to turn on the fan and cool the engine. As a result, the fan runs wild.

5. Faulty High-Pressure Switch

Always check your high-pressure switch even if it looks brand new. The high-pressure switch is usually located under the air box.

6. Bad Thermostat

Another component in the cooling system that can cause your radiator fan to continue spinning even when the engine is off is a bad thermostat.

How Do You Fix a Chevy Malibu Fan That Stays On?

Solving your Chevy fan’s problem is easy because the likely causes are few. Here are some solutions to the Chevy Malibu cooling fan continuously staying on even when the engine is off:

1. Replace Fan Relay

The way to determine if the fault is from the fan relay is by replacing it, running it, and determining if the problem persists.

If the problem does not continue, you should replace the fan relay. Fan relay replacement costs between $103 and $112. The average cost of labor is estimated at around $35 to $44, while the actual price of the radiator fan relay is parts are priced at $68.

2. Replace the Temperature Sensor

Often, the problem lies in the temperature sensors. Unplug the sensors and check if the fan will stop. If it stops, then the sensors are faulty and need replacement.

You can not repair temperature sensors. Replacing an engine coolant temperature sensor will cost between $394 and $434. If you want to DIY and replace the temp sensor without the help of a professional, be prepared to pay $273 and $282 for a new one.

3. Check the ECU Unit

Because your car ECU unit is responsible for the temperature limit setting and informing the fan relay when to turn off and on. If your fan runs continuously, you should check the ECU unit for fault and replace it if that is the reason.

Component repair is not always easy because it comprises wires and sensors; a replacement is the best course of action.

The ECU costs between $500 and $2000 for parts and labor. You can negotiate a fair price, but that depends on the technician.

4. Add Fresh Coolant

If the coolant levels are low, top it up by pouring fresh ones to the correct level. Don’t do this when your engine is still hot, or you’ll risk damaging the engine.

Your Chevy Malibu uses the Dex-Cool compatible antifreeze. Obviously, a coolant problem has the cheapest solution on the list.

5. Replace the A/C High-Pressure Switch

Replace your A/C high-pressure switch with a new one. You don’t need to remove the freon. The switch just comes off, and you won’t lose any freon.

6. Replace the Thermostat

Replace your thermostat with a new OEM one. Clear the CEL (Checking Engine Light) before turning on the engine again.

The thermostat replacement costs around $531 and $574 for the Chevy Malibu. If you’re looking at replacing it yourself, a new thermostat will most likely cost you more than $350+.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Low Coolant Cause The Fan To Stay On?

Yes, a low coolant can cause your car’s fan to stay on. The coolant removes heat from the car engine maintaining optimal temperatures within the system. When there isn’t enough of it, the engine heats up and the ECU will instruct the fan to stay on.

Is It Okay For Fan To Run After Turning Off Engine?

It’s absolutely OK. The coolant absorbs heat after operating your engine and has to be cooled. When you turn off the engine, the car’s computer detects that the radiator has reached a higher temperature and should be cooled further. In order to reduce the temperature of the coolant, the fan will run for a few minutes.

How Do I Know If My Cooling Fan Relay Is Bad?

You can know if your cooling fan relay is bad if you are experiencing any of these signs. Engine overheating, cooling fan not working, continuous running of the cooling fan, engine check light on, the air conditioner’s poor performance, harsh fan noise, and relay swapping.

Why Does The Cooling Fan Come On When The Engine Is Cold?

The cooling fan comes on when your engine is cold because the car’s climate control switch is on. The fan control unit will take the signal from the climate control and activate the fan as required. It could also be a fault in the fan relay that prevents the fan from getting the turn-off signal.

Conclusion

Fan noise is normal for even our laptops, but it shouldn’t continue after you’ve shut down the system.

If your Chevrolet Malibu cooling fan is running several minutes after you turn off the engine, you should check the ECU, the coolant level, the fan relay, and the temperature sensors.

Additionally, if everything else is fine, check the A/C high-pressure switch and lastly, the thermostat.

The solution to these problems is replacing the defaulting component. But make sure you hire a good mechanic for all replacements.

Your Chevy Malibu will thank you by lasting longer.

Sources

• https://repairpal.com/estimator/chevrolet/malibu/radiator-fan-relay-replacement-cost
• https://repairpal.com/estimator/chevrolet/malibu/engine-coolant-temperature-sensor-replacement-cost
• https://repairpal.com/estimator/chevrolet/malibu/air-conditioning-refrigerant-pressure-switch-replacement-cost
• https://repairpal.com/estimator/chevrolet/malibu/thermostat-replacement-cost
• https://repairpal.com/estimator/chevrolet/malibu/