# 2010 Pontiac Vibe engine fan cycling on and off when AC mode is selected **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** pontiac, vibe\ **Created:** [May 16, 2023, 4:59am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2010-pontiac-vibe-engine-fan-cycling-on-and-off-when-ac-mode-is-selected/190616 "2023-05-16T04:59:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Rusty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f17d59/32.png) [@Rusty](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Rusty)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2023, 4:59am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2010-pontiac-vibe-engine-fan-cycling-on-and-off-when-ac-mode-is-selected/190616/1 "2023-05-16T04:59:35Z")
I have a 2010 vibe FWD with the 1.8 motor and 4 speed auto. It has 128,000 miles. It was a recent purchase as a backup vehicle. Lately I’ve noticed the engine fan cycling on and off when the ac mode is selected. However, at the max ac speed (4) the engine fan runs continuously. In the other speeds (1,2 and 3) the fan keeps cycling on and off. I turned off the AC and the fan stops. Is something up? I can’t hear since I am Deaf but I can feel the idle speed change as well as the rpm jump. Any ideas? Thanks in advance! ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2023, 7:16am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2010-pontiac-vibe-engine-fan-cycling-on-and-off-when-ac-mode-is-selected/190616/2 "2023-05-16T07:16:22Z")
I do believe that is normal but it is still cold here. The fan is normally activated with the ac to provide more cooling of the engine. It could cycle on and off then depending on the engine temp. ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2023, 12:13pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2010-pontiac-vibe-engine-fan-cycling-on-and-off-when-ac-mode-is-selected/190616/3 "2023-05-16T12:13:09Z")
Is the AC clutch also cycling on and off? ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2023, 1:44pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2010-pontiac-vibe-engine-fan-cycling-on-and-off-when-ac-mode-is-selected/190616/4 "2023-05-16T13:44:11Z")
The fan is suppose to run constantly while the AC is on. It sounds like the the fan control module is faulty. ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/6/f/6f8de2b8bda148fa11aad9029ffd276b28e9a2ee.jpeg) Tester ---
**Author:** ![Rusty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f17d59/32.png) [@Rusty](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Rusty)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2023, 4:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2010-pontiac-vibe-engine-fan-cycling-on-and-off-when-ac-mode-is-selected/190616/5 "2023-05-16T16:10:33Z")
Is this something that can DIY? Where is this located? ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2023, 4:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2010-pontiac-vibe-engine-fan-cycling-on-and-off-when-ac-mode-is-selected/190616/6 "2023-05-16T16:23:20Z")
The module is located on the fan assembly. You can see it on the left side of the fan assembly in this image. ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/1/6/165b571382afd5edd60ed25839ef43576443a9f7.jpeg) . > [@Rusty](#): > > Is this something that can DIY? I don’t know what your skill level is, so I can’t say. Tester ---
**Author:** ![Rusty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f17d59/32.png) [@Rusty](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Rusty)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2023, 4:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2010-pontiac-vibe-engine-fan-cycling-on-and-off-when-ac-mode-is-selected/190616/7 "2023-05-16T16:55:15Z")
If it involves any splicing/soldering for the fan module relay replacement, I don’t have any skills in that. ---
**Author:** ![TheWonderful90s](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/thewonderful90s/32/29584_2.png) [@TheWonderful90s](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TheWonderful90s)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2023, 5:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2010-pontiac-vibe-engine-fan-cycling-on-and-off-when-ac-mode-is-selected/190616/8 "2023-05-16T17:45:11Z")
Have someone who isn’t deaf check that the AC compressor isn’t also cycling on and off with the fan. Does selecting fan speeds 1 through 3 change the rate of cycling? ---
**Author:** ![Rusty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f17d59/32.png) [@Rusty](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Rusty)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2023, 7:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2010-pontiac-vibe-engine-fan-cycling-on-and-off-when-ac-mode-is-selected/190616/9 "2023-05-16T19:16:56Z")
When the AC is on speeds 1-3, the cooling fan cycles on and off. When the AC is on max speed 4, the fan doesn’t turn off. Does that make sense? ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2023, 7:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2010-pontiac-vibe-engine-fan-cycling-on-and-off-when-ac-mode-is-selected/190616/10 "2023-05-16T19:28:08Z")
The cooling fan operation is based on the pressure in the A/C high pressure line/condenser. When the demand is high: high blower speed, the A/C pressure is high and the computer will keep the cooling fan on. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2023, 7:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2010-pontiac-vibe-engine-fan-cycling-on-and-off-when-ac-mode-is-selected/190616/11 "2023-05-16T19:36:05Z")
One fan is for engine cooling, This fan can turn on and off depending on the engine coolant temperature. The condenser fan ( the one you’re referring to), operates when the AC is turned on. This fan is what removes the heat from the AC condenser so the refrigerant can condense and convert from a high pressure gas into a high pressure liquid. > **[Should Radiator Fan Turn On When AC is On? - Mechanic Ask](https://mechanicask.com/radiator-fan-turns-on-when-ac-is-on/)** > > Both fans present in the car, the primary cooling fan from the radiator and the secondary cooling fan from the air conditioning system’s condenser, should immediately turn on when AC is switched on. Turning the radiator fan on is controlled by the... Tester ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2023, 7:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2010-pontiac-vibe-engine-fan-cycling-on-and-off-when-ac-mode-is-selected/190616/12 "2023-05-16T19:55:37Z")
Ok without reading everything it sounds like it can either turn on and off based on engine temp or stay on? Two fans. One stays on and the other cycles? I’m getting confused. ---
**Author:** ![Rusty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f17d59/32.png) [@Rusty](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Rusty)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2023, 8:22pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2010-pontiac-vibe-engine-fan-cycling-on-and-off-when-ac-mode-is-selected/190616/13 "2023-05-16T20:22:38Z")
There’s only one fan in front of the engine. So I would assume the fan has different duties.