Failing Radiator Fan Leads to Dangerous Engine Overheating

Had a similar issue with my 2020 Q2 around 50000km. As someone who does basic maintenance but leaves complex repairs to professionals, I recognized these classic symptoms of fan motor problems. The temperature control gauge was my first indicator too. The electric fan would out of nowhere stop engaging, especially during idle, causing the cooling system to work inefficiently. Initially thought it was the fan clutch, but the mechanic found it was actually a loose connection in the wiring harness going to the fan motor. The fix was straightforward, they repaired the cable connection and tested the fan motor operation across different temperature ranges. Total cost was 95 Euro for diagnostic and repair work. Much better than replacing the entire fan assembly. Before you head to a shop, could you share: Are you noticing any unusual sounds when the fan should be running? Does the overheating happen more frequently in specific conditions? Have you noticed any coolant leaks? Any check engine lights or error codes? This info would help determine if your issue matches what I experienced or if its something different in your cooling system.

Just got back from the dealership regarding my Q3 with 68038KM. The radiator fan issue symptoms match exactly what you described. When they inspected it, they found a faulty temperature sensor that wasnt properly triggering the electric fan. The vehicle overheating was most noticeable in slow traffic, just like your case. No unusual sounds or coolant leaks in my situation. The total repair cost came to 320 Euro including parts and labor. Worth noting they also did a full cooling system inspection while diagnosing the fan clutch and temperature control problems. The cooling system is working perfectly now, no more overheating issues. Your wiring suggestion helped me ask the right questions during the service visit.

Thanks for the update on your Q3 cooling system repair. The temperature sensor being the culprit makes perfect sense, its a common issue that affects the electric fan operation. While my wiring problem was different, these temperature control components often cause similar symptoms. 320 Euro sounds reasonable for the complete service, especially with the full cooling system inspection. My repair was cheaper since it only needed a wiring fix, but sensor replacements typically cost more due to parts and labor. Good to hear the engine cooling is back to normal. These temperature sensor issues can be tricky to diagnose since they mimic other problems like fan motor failures or fan clutch malfunctions. Getting the proper diagnosis from professionals was definitely the right move here. For future reference, keeping an eye on the temperature control gauge during the first few drives after repair is always smart. If anyone else has similar cooling issues, checking both electrical connections and sensors should be high on the troubleshooting list.

As the original person who started this thread about my Q3, I wanted to provide one final update. The dealership called me back for a follow-up check on the cooling system. They confirmed everything is still working perfectly after 2000km of driving since the repair. The temperature control gauge now stays firmly in the normal range, even during heavy traffic. The electric fan engages exactly when it should, preventing any engine cooling issues or overheating. For anyone searching the forums with similar symptoms, dont automatically assume its a fan clutch problem. The temperature sensor was the real culprit in my case. The 320 Euro investment was worth every cent considering the potential damage engine overheating could have caused. Really appreciate everyone who shared their experiences, especially the tip about checking electrical components before assuming mechanical failure. The cooling system maintenance they performed during the repair should help prevent similar issues in the future.