Audi Q2 Fan Fault Causes Critical Overheating Issue

Had a similar issue with my 2018 Audi Q3 about six months ago. With some experience working on cars, I knew the symptoms pointed to cooling system problems, particularly when the radiator fan wasnt activating as it should. The electric fan motor was getting power intermittently due to a damaged wiring connection near the fan assembly. The overheating became noticeable first in slow traffic, but eventually occurred at higher speeds too. Waited too long before getting it checked, which was risky since continuous overheating can lead to serious engine damage. Got it fixed at a workshop, they found and repaired a faulty connector going to the electric fan motor. Total cost was 95 Euro for diagnostics, parts, and labor. The repair resolved the overheating completely. To help diagnose your specific case, could you share: Any trouble codes from an OBD scan? Does the electric fan work at all when the car is idling hot? Have you noticed any coolant leaks under the car? Are there any unusual noises from the fan area? These details would help determine if youre facing the same electrical connection issue or if its potentially something else in the cooling system.

Thanks for sharing your experience. Last service was at 140000KM, just about 1000KM ago. After running additional tests, I can confirm the electric fan only works sporadically. The temperature control unit seems inconsistent, sometimes the fan kicks in at higher temps, other times not at all. No coolant leaks visible and no unusual sounds coming from the fan area. Had the workshop do a quick OBD scan which showed error code P0480 (cooling fan relay circuit). The vehicle overheating happens quite out of nowhere now, even shortly after startup. Looking at either getting the fan relay replaced or having the entire cooling system diagnosed properly. Main concern is preventing any long-term engine damage from these temperature spikes.

Based on that P0480 code and your description, this definitely sounds like the same electrical issue I faced with my Q3. The sporadic fan operation matches exactly what I experienced, the unusual overheating was particularly concerning, especially right after startup. The cooling fan relay circuit fault often indicates either a bad relay or damaged wiring, rather than a complete electric fan motor failure. In my case, the intermittent connection was causing the vehicle overheating by preventing proper cooling system operation. Since youve recently had service work done, its worth checking if anything was disturbed around the fan clutch or wiring harness during that maintenance. The timing seems suspicious given the problems started shortly after. From my experience, I would strongly recommend getting it properly diagnosed rather than just replacing parts. While the relay is relatively inexpensive, the labor costs for accessing it can add up. The complete diagnostic I had done revealed the actual wiring issue and saved money in the long run by fixing the root cause of the overheating. A relay replacement alone might be a temporary fix, but if theres underlying wiring damage, the problem will likely return. The comprehensive diagnosis may cost more initially but provides certainty about the exact issue.

Thanks for the input. After getting your feedback, I scheduled a full diagnostic at a workshop tomorrow. The error code P0480 combined with the sporadic fan operation definitely points to an electrical issue rather than a mechanical problem with the engine cooling system. The radiator fan behavior matches what others described, working intermittently without any clear pattern. Will have them check both the fan relay and surrounding wiring harness thoroughly since the electric fan started acting up right after the recent service. Makes sense to invest in proper diagnostics rather than just replacing parts out of nowhere. The complete check should reveal whether its just the relay or if theres hidden wiring damage causing the vehicle overheating. While the fan clutch engages sometimes, the inconsistent operation is concerning enough to get it fixed properly before any engine damage occurs. Will update once I know the exact issue and repair costs. Really hoping its just a simple electrical connection like others experienced rather than a major cooling system problem.