2004 RX330 Overheating When Not Moving and AC Blows Hot Air
05-01-18 | 10:24 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: AL
2004 RX330 Overheating When Not Moving and AC Blows Hot Air
Hello All.
I have a 2004 RX330 with 180k that has treated me well over the years. However, recently she’s been giving me some trouble.
If I start the car and am sitting in a parking lot, at a red light, or in stop-and-go traffic, the car will start to smell burnt and the water temp needle will climb all the way to H. At the same time, as long as the car is not moving or not moving quickly, the AC blows only warm or hot air. As soon as I start driving, the engine starts to cool down and the AC starts blowing icy air.
When I look at the radiator fans, they aren’t spinning at all, even when the temp starts climbing. I have checked the fuse (fine) and also tried removing the temperature sensor which should force the fans on but that had no effect. Oddly the fans themselves seem to be fine because weirdly, if I give one of the fans a flick with my finger, it will spin up for a few seconds and then shut off again.
As as for the AC, the coolant must be fine for me to get icy air while moving. Both issues seem to be tied together because they appeared at the same time and they occur in conjunction.
Any advice on how to troubleshoot would be much appreciated.
Thank you all.
I have a 2004 RX330 with 180k that has treated me well over the years. However, recently she’s been giving me some trouble.
If I start the car and am sitting in a parking lot, at a red light, or in stop-and-go traffic, the car will start to smell burnt and the water temp needle will climb all the way to H. At the same time, as long as the car is not moving or not moving quickly, the AC blows only warm or hot air. As soon as I start driving, the engine starts to cool down and the AC starts blowing icy air.
When I look at the radiator fans, they aren’t spinning at all, even when the temp starts climbing. I have checked the fuse (fine) and also tried removing the temperature sensor which should force the fans on but that had no effect. Oddly the fans themselves seem to be fine because weirdly, if I give one of the fans a flick with my finger, it will spin up for a few seconds and then shut off again.
As as for the AC, the coolant must be fine for me to get icy air while moving. Both issues seem to be tied together because they appeared at the same time and they occur in conjunction.
Any advice on how to troubleshoot would be much appreciated.
Thank you all.
05-01-18 | 12:11 PM
#3
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: AL
Thanks bgalarpe. One fan works when hard wired to the battery, one does not. Would one fan not working cause both fans not to work? How would I check the relay?
05-02-18 | 05:32 AM
#5
Hello All.
I have a 2004 RX330 with 180k that has treated me well over the years. However, recently she’s been giving me some trouble.
If I start the car and am sitting in a parking lot, at a red light, or in stop-and-go traffic, the car will start to smell burnt and the water temp needle will climb all the way to H. At the same time, as long as the car is not moving or not moving quickly, the AC blows only warm or hot air. As soon as I start driving, the engine starts to cool down and the AC starts blowing icy air.
When I look at the radiator fans, they aren’t spinning at all, even when the temp starts climbing. I have checked the fuse (fine) and also tried removing the temperature sensor which should force the fans on but that had no effect. Oddly the fans themselves seem to be fine because weirdly, if I give one of the fans a flick with my finger, it will spin up for a few seconds and then shut off again.
As as for the AC, the coolant must be fine for me to get icy air while moving. Both issues seem to be tied together because they appeared at the same time and they occur in conjunction.
Any advice on how to troubleshoot would be much appreciated.
Thank you all.
I have a 2004 RX330 with 180k that has treated me well over the years. However, recently she’s been giving me some trouble.
If I start the car and am sitting in a parking lot, at a red light, or in stop-and-go traffic, the car will start to smell burnt and the water temp needle will climb all the way to H. At the same time, as long as the car is not moving or not moving quickly, the AC blows only warm or hot air. As soon as I start driving, the engine starts to cool down and the AC starts blowing icy air.
When I look at the radiator fans, they aren’t spinning at all, even when the temp starts climbing. I have checked the fuse (fine) and also tried removing the temperature sensor which should force the fans on but that had no effect. Oddly the fans themselves seem to be fine because weirdly, if I give one of the fans a flick with my finger, it will spin up for a few seconds and then shut off again.
As as for the AC, the coolant must be fine for me to get icy air while moving. Both issues seem to be tied together because they appeared at the same time and they occur in conjunction.
Any advice on how to troubleshoot would be much appreciated.
Thank you all.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...erheating.html
If the above doesn't solve your issue, there are several affordable solutions (under $150) which replace the entire radiator fan and condenser cooling fan assembly.
Last edited by OG Member; 05-02-18 at 05:36 AM.
07-07-18 | 02:01 PM
#6
3rd Gear
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
I also have a 2004 RX330 - 178,000 miles with similar symptoms. When in stop and go traffic, the car would overheat. I catch it fast enough and turn the heater full blast enabling the engine to cool. With the A/C on full blast neither fans were working! I tested both fans and found the passenger not working. Since the driver side fan worked I assumed the fan control module was not functioning. I decided I needed to replace both the Fan and the fan control module.
I did some internet searching and found I could purchase a compatible Fan Shroud with both Fans and the fan control module from Auto Parts Avenue Inc, on eBay Motors.
With the help of YouTube and three hours, I successfully replaced the Fan Shroud, et al. I did a reset of the ECU by removing the EFI and ETCS fuses. I waited a few minutse to re-install.
I turned the car on with A/C full blast. Both fans were working! I thought I had it fixed. Now my issue is 'Both fans are on all the time'. As soon I turn the key to 'On', without the engine running, the fans are both running.
The good news is the car will not overheat. The down side will be seen in winter. Will this impact my battery?
This morning I banged the non-working old fan with a small hammer. Now both old fans are working! Is my old fan control module good? Is my new fan control module working correctly? Should I switch out the fan control module.
Is this problem something else I'm not aware of?
Thoughts and suggestions appreciated
I did some internet searching and found I could purchase a compatible Fan Shroud with both Fans and the fan control module from Auto Parts Avenue Inc, on eBay Motors.
With the help of YouTube and three hours, I successfully replaced the Fan Shroud, et al. I did a reset of the ECU by removing the EFI and ETCS fuses. I waited a few minutse to re-install.
I turned the car on with A/C full blast. Both fans were working! I thought I had it fixed. Now my issue is 'Both fans are on all the time'. As soon I turn the key to 'On', without the engine running, the fans are both running.
The good news is the car will not overheat. The down side will be seen in winter. Will this impact my battery?
This morning I banged the non-working old fan with a small hammer. Now both old fans are working! Is my old fan control module good? Is my new fan control module working correctly? Should I switch out the fan control module.
Is this problem something else I'm not aware of?
Thoughts and suggestions appreciated
Last edited by RA052923; 07-07-18 at 02:28 PM. Reason: Misuse of ECU
07-07-18 | 06:12 PM
#7
I also have a 2004 RX330 - 178,000 miles with similar symptoms. When in stop and go traffic, the car would overheat. I catch it fast enough and turn the heater full blast enabling the engine to cool. With the A/C on full blast neither fans were working! I tested both fans and found the passenger not working. Since the driver side fan worked I assumed the fan control module was not functioning. I decided I needed to replace both the Fan and the fan control module.
I did some internet searching and found I could purchase a compatible Fan Shroud with both Fans and the fan control module from Auto Parts Avenue Inc, on eBay Motors.
With the help of YouTube and three hours, I successfully replaced the Fan Shroud, et al. I did a reset of the ECU by removing the EFI and ETCS fuses. I waited a few minutse to re-install.
I turned the car on with A/C full blast. Both fans were working! I thought I had it fixed. Now my issue is 'Both fans are on all the time'. As soon I turn the key to 'On', without the engine running, the fans are both running.
The good news is the car will not overheat. The down side will be seen in winter. Will this impact my battery?
This morning I banged the non-working old fan with a small hammer. Now both old fans are working! Is my old fan control module good? Is my new fan control module working correctly? Should I switch out the fan control module.
Is this problem something else I'm not aware of?
Thoughts and suggestions appreciated
I did some internet searching and found I could purchase a compatible Fan Shroud with both Fans and the fan control module from Auto Parts Avenue Inc, on eBay Motors.
With the help of YouTube and three hours, I successfully replaced the Fan Shroud, et al. I did a reset of the ECU by removing the EFI and ETCS fuses. I waited a few minutse to re-install.
I turned the car on with A/C full blast. Both fans were working! I thought I had it fixed. Now my issue is 'Both fans are on all the time'. As soon I turn the key to 'On', without the engine running, the fans are both running.
The good news is the car will not overheat. The down side will be seen in winter. Will this impact my battery?
This morning I banged the non-working old fan with a small hammer. Now both old fans are working! Is my old fan control module good? Is my new fan control module working correctly? Should I switch out the fan control module.
Is this problem something else I'm not aware of?
Thoughts and suggestions appreciated
- What does "et al" reference?
- It appears your radiator fan 'brushes' are worn - I would recommend replacing the entire assembly with one of the many offerings available ( )
Please do update us, once you find a solution!
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07-07-18 | 07:09 PM
#8
3rd Gear
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Sorry. et al implies everything else. I did buy and replace the whole unit. Both fans and the fan controller. I just don’t know why both fan spin when I turn the key to the ON position. The engine is cold. It’s good the fans work, but not all the time.
07-08-18 | 06:21 AM
#9
Maybe swap out the new fan controller with your old fan control module, then double check the fan relay (I believe it's labeled as CDS Fan) as these could have been damaged pre-assembly replacement?
Last edited by OG Member; 07-08-18 at 04:04 PM.
07-08-18 | 10:18 AM
#10
3rd Gear
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
I swapped the old fan controller with the new one. Surprisingly the fans were NOT on with the key in the ON position. With the car running both fans ran when the A/C was at full blast. With the heater in full blast, only driver side fan was on. Looks like my problem is solved. I purchased a defective fan controller.
07-08-18 | 04:02 PM
#11
I swapped the old fan controller with the new one. Surprisingly the fans were NOT on with the key in the ON position. With the car running both fans ran when the A/C was at full blast. With the heater in full blast, only driver side fan was on. Looks like my problem is solved. I purchased a defective fan controller.
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