A/C fan runs when I pull fuse???

[Judson]

Hey y'all -

OK, very weird behavior. My a/c fan hasn't run for a long time. I even bought a new dual fan unit, and have been intending to replace them.

However, recently reading something somewhere someone said, "trying pulling the fuse."

So, I pulled fuse 16, A/C clutch, after-run coolant pump. It's one of the small 10amp fuses on the top row, second from the right.

Immediately the fans starting running!

The fuse looked a little corroded, so I replaced it with a new one. Immediately the fans stopped running!

WTH?

Can anybody please help explain this behavior?

Thanks!

Jud.

 

[ToxicDoc]

VW is unusual in that removing a fuse can actually trigger some systems. The fans will trigger on if the fuse is out or blown. What you are seeing is normal behavior. You have to look elsewhere for the AC problem. The good news is that it sounds like your fans work.

 

[Mongler98]

^^^ ahaha, ah yes, the joy of VW engineering ^^^
So what exactly are the symptoms of your AC issues? everything works and blows cold just the fans dont kick on?

 

[Judson]

Yes Mongler98, that's exactly right. Works fine, blows cold, fans don't kick on.

I don't understand why putting a good fuse back in turns them off. So weird.

 

[Mongler98]

Yes Mongler98, that's exactly right. Works fine, blows cold, fans don't kick on.

I don't understand why putting a good fuse back in turns them off. So weird.

something to do with signal, dont worry about it, i dont understand either but i have seen it plenty here, search for pulling fuse 16 on these forums if you care

if its working fine, leave it be. ac fans dont always come on, it should when its hot AF outside and there are a few things like ambient air temp sensor and the fan relay that could cause a no run but pulling that fuse means that it should be working properly. im not 100% on this one but yea, at least its working!

 

[gforce1108]

A blown fuse 16 has confused many people with fans that stay running. Someone here listed exactly what it does but I can't remember. I just know the first thing to check is F16. I have even seen it in person - a buddy was testing fuses and put 16 back in the wrong location.

 

[Judson]

So I yank it and leave it out?

Okey dokey no skin off my back for sure! I will keep a spare in the car, though, just in case.

Thanks!

 

[BobnOH]

No, fix the problem. Check your radiator/condenser fan operation NOW
I bought my bug a year and a half ago, AC was cool, but fans didn't always run. Even though I new it was an issue, I ignored it. Now my compressor sounds like a garbage disposal, figure it'll be a thousand or so to have it fixed.

 

[Judson]

Hey BobnOH -

I did a search on fuse 16 and found this thread:

http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=350950&highlight=fuse+16

I'll check the electrical connections.

Thanks!

Jud.