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joachimhunter7

Jeep Patriot Fan Failure Causes Engine Overheating

My 2012 Jeep Patriot starts overheating and the check engine light keeps coming on. The radiator fan seems to be acting up, sometimes it works, sometimes not. Engine cooling appears compromised. The car has about 70000 km on it and runs on gas. Has anyone experienced similar cooling system problems? Looking for honest feedback about repair costs and mechanic experiences, as my last repair shop visit was less than ideal.

4 comment(s)

wernerwolf1

I had a similar issue with my 2015 Jeep Compass last month. The engine cooling system showed identical symptoms, inconsistent radiator fan operation and temperature fluctuations. The root cause turned out to be a faulty thermal switch that wasnt properly triggering the cooling fan. The temperature control module wasnt receiving correct signals, causing the fan to operate erratically. A diagnostic scan revealed the speed sensor was also defective, which explained the check engine light. This is a serious issue that needs immediate attention since continuous overheating can lead to engine damage. The thermal switch replacement is a straightforward repair, but accessing it requires removing several components. My repair included: Replacing the thermal switch, Installing a new speed sensor, Testing the fan blade assembly, Verifying proper fan noise and operation, Full cooling system pressure test The entire repair took about 4 hours at the shop. These cooling system issues are relatively common in this generation of Jeeps after they pass 60000 km. Would strongly recommend getting it checked soon before it leads to more extensive damage.

joachimhunter7 (Author)

Thanks for sharing your experience. Your symptoms match exactly what happened to my Patriot. I eventually got it fixed but curious about your repair costs. My mechanic charged 420 Euro for parts and labor, which seemed a bit high at the time. Though the car radiator and fan motor are working perfectly now, no more car overheating issues. Has the cooling system given you any further problems since the repair? The fan noise on mine occasionally sounds a bit different than before, but temperature stays normal.

wernerwolf1

Since having the radiator fan problem fixed, my Jeep Compass has been running perfectly with no temperature control issues. The speed sensor replacement cost me 250 Euro, which seems more reasonable than what you paid. The engine cooling system has been working flawlessly for the past month. The car radiator performance is back to normal, and the fan blade operation is consistent. While fan noise can vary slightly based on engine load and ambient temperature, as long as your temperature gauge stays steady, minor sound differences shouldnt be concerning. Regular system checks are still important though. A properly functioning cooling system is crucial for engine longevity. My mechanic mentioned these components typically last another 50000 km after replacement when properly maintained.

joachimhunter7 (Author)

After dealing with all the temperature control issues, I finally took my Patriot to a new mechanic who really knew what he was doing. The car radiator system check showed exactly what you mentioned, bad thermal switch and speed sensor. The fan motor replacement and labor ended up costing me 420 Euro, but the peace of mind was worth it. No more check engine lights or overheating problems. The cooling system works perfectly now, even during hot weather and heavy traffic. This whole experience taught me not to wait when the radiator fan starts acting up. Small issues can turn into bigger problems fast. Will definitely keep up with regular maintenance checks from now on to avoid another cooling system crisis. The new mechanic also gave the entire system a thorough inspection and pressure test, which my previous shop never did. Sometimes paying a bit more for quality work saves money in the long run.

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