Cooling fan clutch making roaring noise?

Tiny
HOTTELAH512
  • MEMBER
  • 2019 NISSAN TITAN
  • 5.6L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 10,000 MILES
I just purchased this truck and noticed it making a roaring noise, but just occasionally. I took it to the dealership and they replaced the cooling fan clutch. Two days later it started making the noise again. Seems like if you drive for thirty minutes or more, turn the engine off for a brief time and then restart if, that is when the noise starts and continues until you shut it off. I called the service dept. Back and they told me that the clutch had been replaced in August and in September of 2019. What could be causing it to go bad continuously? I am very concerned. I haven't even made my first payment on the truck and it wasn't cheap. Can you shed any light on this for me?
Monday, September 14th, 2020 AT 11:19 AM

15 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
The fan clutch on this vehicle is controlled by a module. This is a technical definition of how it works.

The cooling fan clutch is utilized to control cooling fan operation. This fan clutch is controlled by the ECM. The ECM monitors coolant temperature and intake manifold temperature to determine when to engage the cooling fan. There are also additional sensors monitored by the ECM for fan control (for example, air conditioner pressure and transmission temperature). The fan clutch is an electro-viscous fan clutch.

Since the fan is affected by several different items, the dealership needs to check the items listed above. The vehicle is under full manufacturer warranty. Thus, if you get no satisfaction from the dealer, contact the Nissan Zone Rep nearest to you. The phone numbers for customer service should be located in the owner's manual.

I attached a pic below of the item so you can see how it looks. If the dealer has replaced it three times in (at 10,000 miles), it's not the fan but one of the sensors, the ECM, or a wiring issue.

Let me know if I can help.

Joe
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Monday, September 14th, 2020 AT 5:34 PM
Tiny
HOTTELAH512
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  • 4 POSTS
I really appreciate your information. I am going to talk with my mechanic today. Thank you.
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Tuesday, September 15th, 2020 AT 10:27 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,149 POSTS
JACOBANDNICKOLAS is one of our best! Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.
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Tuesday, September 15th, 2020 AT 10:28 AM
Tiny
HOTTELAH512
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I talked with the service manager at the dealership today. He tried to talk me into taking the truck to a different Nissan dealership and told me that I would have to deal with the noise. Like that was normal. If normal, then why did Nissan pay to have it replaced three times? He said that he would arrange a meeting with someone at Nissan, but I have not heard anything back. I called Nissan America and started a case number concerning this. I tried to get the name of my Nissan Zone Rep. To no avail. Nissan said they would contact me by end of day tomorrow. I'll let you know how it progresses.
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Tuesday, September 15th, 2020 AT 1:10 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Hi,

It sounds like you are on the right path. Please let me know how things turn out or if you need help.

Take care,
Joe
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Tuesday, September 15th, 2020 AT 7:16 PM
Tiny
HOTTELAH512
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Just wanted you to know that I think the truck is fixed and what happened. I got with Nissan Headquarters and they followed what was going on and acted as a liaison for us. I think that the person that assisted the mechanic at the dealership was the zone representative. The mechanic was able to get the truck to make the sound that we were hearing. The zone rep told him to check the F32 connector for the fan clutch. When examining the connector the mechanic realized that it had at some point been damaged, possibly chewed by rodents, and that it had been repaired by wrapping the wires with electrical tape and not soldering the end connector. (I think that is what he said). The zone rep told him to replace the wiring harness. The dealership did this and I believe that it is corrected. Drove the truck for quite some time after picking it up yesterday and it never had any issues.

The dealership also gave us a loaner car at no expense while the truck was in the shop. I really appreciate your assistance in dealing with this. You got us on the right track and I thank you very much.
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Thursday, September 24th, 2020 AT 6:34 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
That is great news. It sounds like prior to you owning the vehicle, there was a problem with a broken wire, and rather than fixing it properly, someone taped things together. It's hard for me to understand why someone would do that on such a new vehicle, but people do it.

I'm really happy to know it's fixed. Please feel free to come back anytime in the future if you have questions or need help.

Take good care of yourself,

Joe
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Thursday, September 24th, 2020 AT 6:25 PM
Tiny
HOTTELAH512
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  • 4 POSTS
Thanks Joe. Take good care of yourself too.
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Thursday, September 24th, 2020 AT 6:37 PM
Tiny
2023ARMADAOWNER
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
Hi. This seems to be an old post, but I have a similar issue whereby my new 2023 Nissan Armada (4k miles) has started making loud noise at random times. It sounds like a dump truck when it makes that noise. I couldn't replicate it at dealer so sent him a video. Nothing happened so I opened a case with Nissan Consumer Affairs. The dealer tested the vehicle for 2 days and confirmed the noise was from. Fan clutch but said he is waiting on Nissan to confirm if this is normal or needs replacement. Nissan sent their own tech to check my vehicle and compare it with another brand-new vehicle on dealer lot. I had to keep my car at the dealer for 3+ days again. Waiting on Nissan to tell me and the dealer what is the fix. Car is making loud noises at random times cannot be normal under any circumstances.

Challange is the noise seems to have its own mind, comes up randomly.
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Monday, July 15th, 2024 AT 1:36 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Hi,

When a fan clutch engages, it will sound like a jet engine. Is that what you are hearing? Also, could you upload the audio so I can hear it?

Please confirm this is the same year/model as the original post.

Let me know.

Joe
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Monday, July 15th, 2024 AT 3:13 PM
Tiny
2023ARMADAOWNER
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
My year, make, model is 2023 Nissan Armada. It does make loud sound like a dump truck / jet engine.
Video: https://youtu.be/fGRnW3meLRg?si=cKoLP0j_TEdARirZ
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Tuesday, July 16th, 2024 AT 10:21 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Hi,

The model year is different, but it's the same thing, the fan clutch is fully engaging the fan.

I have to ask a favor. I need you to start a new post. We try to keep these specific to one make, model, and year. That way, it is more helpful to others. Simply copy and paste your last post and I can get into more of why you are hearing the noise.

I hope you understand.

Here is the link to start a new post:

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/new

Again, I hope you understand. I will be happy to get more specific about what you hear.

Take care,

Joe
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Tuesday, July 16th, 2024 AT 7:58 PM
Tiny
2023ARMADAOWNER
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
Thanks Joe. I have created a new post per your suggestion. https://www.2carpros.com/questions/new-nissan-armada-making-an-unexpected-loud-noise
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Wednesday, July 17th, 2024 AT 10:53 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Hi,

I see Ken has answered you. He is the best! I know he will help you.

Joe
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Wednesday, July 17th, 2024 AT 7:18 PM
Tiny
2023ARMADAOWNER
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
Thanks Joe.
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Friday, July 19th, 2024 AT 10:21 PM

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