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Fan always fully engaged

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by Mtn.Toy, Jul 14, 2025 at 5:29 PM.

  1. Jul 14, 2025 at 5:29 PM
    #1
    Mtn.Toy

    Mtn.Toy [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I have a 2020 Tacoma and have recently noticed the fan is always fully on. I can’t remember if it was like this last summer or not but with ac on or off it’s constantly on. Maybe it’s just from being so hot out with 90-100 degrees lately. Truck never gets hot on temp gauge and sits right is the middle and is completely full on coolant. Any help would be greatly appreciated
     
  2. Jul 14, 2025 at 6:28 PM
    #2
    BillF1564

    BillF1564 Well-Known Member

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  3. Jul 14, 2025 at 6:28 PM
    #3
    RustyGreen

    RustyGreen A breaker point guy in a Bluetooth world

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    Assuming you mean the engine driven cooling fan, check the fan clutch, it is in the center of the fan and looks similar to this:

    upload_2025-7-14_21-26-48.png

    With the engine off and cold the fan blade should spin easily by hand with some resistance, often when they fail the clutch will lock up and the fan will be difficult or impossible to turn by hand.
     
    Chew likes this.
  4. Jul 14, 2025 at 6:37 PM
    #4
    koditten

    koditten Well-Known Member

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    Reserected from the dead.
    You may think it's always on, but it's not.

    It unlocks and locks depending on the heat load.

    With no heat load, it's still spinning, but not at the same RPMs as the engine, it's kinda coasting along for the ride.

    When heat increases, the vicious clutch locks up and the fan pulls much more air thru the radiator.

    When traveling down the road, the fan is really doing little. The wind from moving is doing most of the cooling of the radiator and coolant.
     
    Chew likes this.
  5. Jul 14, 2025 at 7:35 PM
    #5
    Mtn.Toy

    Mtn.Toy [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I tried that the other day after some research and it does spin freely
     
  6. Jul 14, 2025 at 8:14 PM
    #6
    Mtn.Toy

    Mtn.Toy [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I get all that but when I hear it on I can downshift a gear or 2 and really hear it running at the same rpm’s and never does slow down
     
  7. Jul 14, 2025 at 8:16 PM
    #7
    BLtheP

    BLtheP Constantly Tinkering Member

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    I think it’s probably normal. During the summer I hear mine almost all the time. Especially in the low gears when it really gets spinning.
     
    Mtn.Toy[OP] likes this.
  8. Jul 14, 2025 at 8:22 PM
    #8
    3JOH22A

    3JOH22A トヨタ純正男娼

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    Then it's fine. Most likely just heat soak from the A/C condenser. Many 4Runner people take it as a point of pride their vehicle sounds like a garbage truck.
     
    Mtn.Toy[QUOTED][OP] likes this.

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