Suzuki APV Overheating: Failed Fan Causing Engine Troubles

As someone with moderate experience working on Suzukis, I faced a very similar issue with my Suzuki Grand Vitara from 2 years before your model. The symptoms were nearly identical, engine overheating and check engine light activation. After taking it to the workshop, they diagnosed a faulty speed sensor that was causing the radiator fan to malfunction. The cooling system itself was fine, but the fan wasnt activating at the right times because it wasnt getting the correct speed signals. This caused the engine cooling to be inconsistent. The total repair cost was 250€, including parts and labor. The fix resolved both the overheating and the check engine light issues completely. Before jumping to conclusions though, could you share: The build year of your APV, Current mileage, When you first noticed the overheating, If theres any pattern to when it occurs (city driving, highway, etc), Whether you hear the fan blade spinning at all These details would help determine if youre dealing with the same fan motor issue I experienced or if its something else in your cooling system. In the meantime, keep an eye on your temperature gauge and avoid long trips until its fixed. Engine overheating can lead to serious damage if left unchecked.

Thanks for the detailed response. My APV is a 2019 model with 122810 KM on the odometer. The thermal switch diagnostic at my last service 3 months ago was fine, but this overheating started about 2 weeks ago. I can confirm the radiator fan runs intermittently, which aligns with your experience. The temperature control issues happen mostly in stop-and-go traffic when the cooling system is under more stress. I will get the speed sensor checked since the symptoms match your case. Just wondering if the 250€ repair cost you mentioned included a full temperature control system inspection or just the sensor replacement?

The 250€ I paid included a basic cooling system inspection, but not a comprehensive diagnostic. The mechanic checked the radiator fan operation, coolant levels, and performed a pressure test before replacing the speed sensor. Since youre experiencing similar fan noise and cooling system behavior in stop-and-go traffic, it really sounds like the same issue. The intermittent fan operation was exactly what I dealt with, the radiator fan would run sporadically rather than responding properly to engine temperature. One thing to note, while the speed sensor was the root cause in my case, having them do a full temperature control check is worth the extra cost. My mechanic found a small coolant leak during the inspection that could have caused problems later. For reference, the complete diagnostic including: Speed sensor testing, Cooling system pressure test, Fan blade and motor inspection, Coolant leak check, Electronic diagnostic scan Added about 80€ to the bill but provided peace of mind that the engine cooling system was in good shape overall. Given your mileage and the fact that the thermal switch was recently checked, focusing on the speed sensor is a logical starting point.

Thanks everyone for the helpful input. After getting my APV checked at the shop yesterday, it turns out the fan motor and speed sensor both needed replacement. The total repair came to 340€, which included a full cooling system inspection and parts. The mechanic found that the car overheating was indeed caused by the faulty fan motor not engaging properly. They also detected some wear on other temperature control components but nothing serious enough to require immediate attention. The car runs perfectly now, no more engine overheating issues and the check engine light is off. The fan noise is back to normal and consistent, especially during idle and slow traffic when the cooling system needs to work harder. For anyone else facing similar issues, getting the full diagnostic was definitely worth it. Better to catch these cooling system problems early before they cause major engine damage. Side note: My mileage readings actually had a typo earlier, its 112,810 KM, not 122,810 KM as previously stated.