Cooling Fan Relay Replacement Cost

Your engine’s cooling fan helps keep the coolant in the engine at the right temperature. It’s activated by the relay, which follows a set of protocols based on information given to it by the powertrain control module. So, when the cooling fan relay stops working, the coolant can get too hot, and the car can overheat.

To get your cooling fan relay replaced, you will pay, on average, $80-$160, depending on the type of car you have and the mechanic’s fees. The labor should cost around $70, while parts should run you $10-$50.

Cooling Fan Relay Replacement Cost Comparison

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What Is Cooling Fan Relay Replacement?

The cooling fan is supposed to last for the life of the vehicle, but that’s not always the case. If it does fail, you might not notice it immediately, but you will need to get it replaced when it isn’t working. If it has been inoperative for a while before you notice the problem and have it fixed, then your engine may be damaged as well from excessive overheating.

In most cases, this is a quick and easy repair job, taking about an hour and just requiring the replacement of a small relay. If you have allowed the problem to persist for a while, then it will take a lot longer to fix and cost you quite a bit more.

Benefits of Cooling Fan Relay Replacement

If you get this problem fixed quickly and decisively, then you will save your engine from overheating and prolong its lifespan. You will also enjoy a vehicle that doesn’t get as hot and that runs much smoother. The sooner you handle this problem, the more money you will save.

What Is Done during Cooling Fan Relay Replacement?

The mechanic will need to confirm that it is the cooling fan relay that needs to be replaced. If that is the case, then the main access relay panel will have to be opened. The broken relay will then be removed from its housing by simply pulling it up and out. The mechanic will check the connections to see if they have been burned out or otherwise damaged. If they are damaged, they too will need to be replaced. Then a new relay will be inserted into the relay housing.

The cooling fan will be tested while the car is on, and then tested during a road test to ensure it works properly.

When to Get Cooling Fan Relay Replacement

It’s not a good idea to run your car for long with a problem that causes the engine to overheat. That’s incredibly dangerous for your engine, and you need to get the coolant fan relay fixed as soon as possible.

You can look for some signs that there may be a problem with the relay. The obvious one will be overheating, and you may see a check engine light, or your temperature gauge may be high. You should also listen to see if your cooling fan is always running or if your air conditioning isn’t working properly. All these can be indicators that your cooling fan relay has quit on you.

How to Save Money on Cooling Fan Relay Replacement

This is an excellent project for DIYer who wants to save some money. It’s a relatively simple replacement process, and you can get it done in about an hour or two, even if you don’t have a lot of experience with this kind of problem. Just make sure that you have diagnosed the problem properly, as there are a number of car parts that can malfunction and cause the engine to overheat or the air conditioning to not work.

You could also try comparing rates among different mechanics to see who has the best deal, but since this is usually inexpensive, you aren’t likely to save a lot of money by comparing quotes.

Sample Cooling Fan Relay Replacement Costs