samuelschwarz34
RS6 Fan Failure Causing Critical Overheating Issues
Summary of the thread
The 2023 RS6 was experiencing critical overheating issues, with the temperature warning light activating after short drives. The electric fan was running but at a reduced speed, suggesting a potential problem with the fan motor or fan clutch. A similar case on a 2020 Audi S6 revealed that corrosion in the fan control module connector was causing poor electrical contact, affecting the fan's performance. The solution involved cleaning the connector, replacing damaged wiring, and applying dielectric grease to prevent future corrosion. This approach resolved the overheating issue, highlighting the importance of checking electrical connections before assuming major component failure.
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4 comment(s)
samuelschwarz34 (community.author)
Thanks for sharing your experience with the fan motor issue. The symptoms sound identical to what my RS6 had. Good point about checking the wiring connections first, wish I had known that before replacing parts unnecessarily. After getting it fixed completely, the engine cooling system has been working perfectly with no temperature warnings. The electric fan now kicks in properly and maintains consistent speed when needed. Did the repair cost on your S6 end up being reasonable? Also curious if you had any other cooling-related issues pop up since the fix? I had to do some additional work on the fan clutch assembly a few weeks later, so interested to hear if yours has been trouble-free.
guenterphoenix1
The repair bill came to 95 Euro for fixing the cable connection issue with the fan control module. Much cheaper than replacing the entire radiator fan assembly. Really glad I had a thorough mechanic who identified the actual electrical problem rather than just swapping parts. The cooling system has worked flawlessly since the repair was completed. The electric fan now runs at proper speed and the engine maintains normal operating temperature even during extended drives. No issues at all with the fan clutch or any other cooling components in the months following the fix. The key was addressing the root cause, the corroded wiring that was preventing the fan motor from receiving full power. Once that connection was restored and properly sealed against moisture, the overheating problems disappeared completely. Definitely worth having electrical connections checked first before assuming major component failure. Good that your RS6 is also running cooler now. The symptoms of a weak or failing radiator fan can be quite concerning, but often the fix is simpler than expected when you find the right mechanic.
samuelschwarz34 (community.author)
Wanted to update everyone on the resolution of my RS6 overheating issue. After reading the helpful advice here, I took it to a new mechanic who specializes in these cooling system problems. Turns out the vehicle overheating was indeed caused by corroded wiring to the fan motor, just like others mentioned. The mechanic found water damage in the connector, cleaned all contacts, and replaced the damaged section of the harness. Total repair cost was 150 Euro including diagnostic time. The cooling fan now runs at full speed when needed and the temperature stays perfectly normal, even in slow traffic. No more warning lights or overheating concerns. Really glad I had it properly diagnosed instead of just replacing the entire fan assembly. For anyone facing similar symptoms, definitely have the electrical connections checked first. A thorough mechanic who takes time to find the root cause can save you from expensive unnecessary repairs. Many thanks to those who shared their experiences. The advice helped me get this resolved quickly before any engine damage occurred.
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AUDI
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RS6
guenterphoenix1
Had similar issues on a 2020 Audi S6 last month. The overheating symptoms matched exactly, temperature warning after short drives despite the cooling system being in good condition. The radiator fan was spinning but at reduced speed, which wasnt providing adequate engine cooling. After diagnosis, it turned out the fan control module connector had corrosion buildup, causing poor electrical contact. This affected the electric motor performance of the cooling fan. A proper inspection revealed that water had seeped into the wiring harness connecting the fan control unit. This is a serious issue since continuous overheating can lead to engine damage. The repair involved cleaning the connector pins, replacing the damaged wiring section, and applying dielectric grease to prevent future corrosion. The symptoms disappeared completely after fixing the cable connections. Worth checking the wiring and connections before assuming a complete fan motor failure. Also recommend testing the coolant temperature sensor since faulty readings can trigger similar warnings. Would suggest getting it checked soon, as running with insufficient cooling can cause major engine damage.