CLK-Class (W209) 2003 on: CLK 270 CDI, CLK 200K, CLK 200 CGI, CLK 240, CLK 320, CLK 350, CLK 500, CLK 550 [Coupes & Cabriolets]

Radiator Fan

Old Apr 12, 2018 | 08:02 PM
  #1  
BK627's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 125
Likes: 5
2007 CLK 350 Cab
Radiator Fan

2007 CLK350 cab

Recently my radiator fan comes on at high speed (sounds like an airplane) without the AC on. It’s been like 40 degrees Fahrenheit outside. The car temperature is normal at around 80c.
the fan comes on while driving or stopped at a light turns off for about a minute or two and then starts again. i use to only hear the fan come on when the AC would be on max. Any suggestions?
Reply
Old Apr 12, 2018 | 10:20 PM
  #2  
Rudeney's Avatar
MBworld Guru
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,782
Likes: 1,011
NO LONGER ACTIVE
This means on of two things: Either the fan control module (built onto the fan) is not communicating with the ECU, or the engine temperature sensor is not reporting. In either case, the fan will go into default high-speed mode. I'd pull codes to see which it is.
Reply
Old Apr 13, 2018 | 01:02 AM
  #3  
BK627's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 125
Likes: 5
2007 CLK 350 Cab
Thanks for the reply, I tried pulling codes but no codes were present. If it was one of those two should I have received a code?
If it’s the control module can it be replaced or does the whole fan have to be replaced?
also do you know where the engine temperature sensor is located exactly?
Reply
Old Apr 13, 2018 | 09:04 PM
  #4  
Rudeney's Avatar
MBworld Guru
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,782
Likes: 1,011
NO LONGER ACTIVE
Here's the coolant temp sensor:

http://benzbits.com/M272/CoolantTempSensor.pdf

The fan controller is integrated into the motor, and it only comes as a complete unit with the fan.
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2018 | 11:21 PM
  #5  
BK627's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 125
Likes: 5
2007 CLK 350 Cab
I haven’t had a chance to start working on this, but I will most likely this weekend if the weather is good. My question is if it’s either one of those two things you mentioned, should the check engine light have lit up by now? Cause as of right now no check engine light.
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2018 | 09:55 PM
  #6  
Rudeney's Avatar
MBworld Guru
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,782
Likes: 1,011
NO LONGER ACTIVE
This happened on my SL550 - the fan would run on high, and even keep running after shutting the car off. The MIL was not illuminated, but there was a code stored for the temperature sensor. I unplugged it, sprayed the connector with CRC contact cleaner, and all is well. I'm not sure if it was loos or maybe had some oil from a leaky centrifuge cover, but that seemed to fix it.
Reply
Old Apr 22, 2018 | 01:53 PM
  #7  
BK627's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 125
Likes: 5
2007 CLK 350 Cab

So I attempted to get to the temperature sensor but had no success. I’m attaching a picture let me know if I’m looking in the right area. I put an arrow where I was trying to stick my hand through to see if I can locate the sensor.
Reply
Old Apr 22, 2018 | 11:31 PM
  #8  
Rudeney's Avatar
MBworld Guru
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,782
Likes: 1,011
NO LONGER ACTIVE
This is the WIS doc showing it:

http://benzbits.com/M272/TemperatureSensor.pdf
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Apr 25, 2018 | 06:25 PM
  #9  
BK627's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 125
Likes: 5
2007 CLK 350 Cab
So I was able to locate and change the sensor. When I took the sensor out a lot of anti freeze ended up coming out. after changing the sensor now my car doesn’t start, I pulled codes and I have a pending P0335. I kept trying to start the car and eventually it will start but after a minute or two it would shut off.
p0335 is the crankshaft sensor but it doesn’t make sense to me how that went bad right after I changed the temperature sensor.
Can you let me know where that sensor is located and what insight you might have on this.
Reply
Old Apr 25, 2018 | 10:08 PM
  #10  
Rudeney's Avatar
MBworld Guru
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,782
Likes: 1,011
NO LONGER ACTIVE
The CPS is located on the top fo the bell housing, just to the left (the car's left, i.e. USA driver's side) of the MAF sensor. Here's a pic showing it:

Reply
Old Apr 25, 2018 | 10:13 PM
  #11  
BK627's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 125
Likes: 5
2007 CLK 350 Cab
Thanks!
that looks like it’s going to be tough to get to. I’m thinking when the antifreeze was spilling out from the temperature sensor it must have ruined this one.
Maybe i can get to it through the bottom of the car. I’ll take a look tomorrow.
Reply
Old Apr 26, 2018 | 03:14 PM
  #12  
BK627's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 125
Likes: 5
2007 CLK 350 Cab
Update:
i was able to changed the crankshaft sensor car that seems to be fixed now. The fan was still coming on at high speeds randomly after the temperature sensor was replaced but for the past hour of driving it hasn’t so maybe it corrected itself. Time will tell.

i rescanned the car and now I’m getting another pending code P0106 (map sensor) can you tell me where that is located... also how is it that these codes are coming up now... I fix one thing and then another one pops up right after, not making sense.
As always Rudeney your help is always appreciated!
Reply
Old Apr 26, 2018 | 09:02 PM
  #13  
Rudeney's Avatar
MBworld Guru
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,782
Likes: 1,011
NO LONGER ACTIVE
Here the MAP sensor:

Reply
Old Apr 27, 2018 | 05:09 PM
  #14  
BK627's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 125
Likes: 5
2007 CLK 350 Cab
I fixed the p0160 code it ended up being a tear in the vacuum hose... I was hopeful that by changing the temperature sensor that my fan would stop coming on in high speed when it wasn’t needed but today it started happening again.
from the research I have been doing in the forums I’m seeing it could be the fans control module or the ecm/ecu. Is there a way for me to test which one it will be before replacing the parts. Both seem to be expensive.
Reply
Old Apr 27, 2018 | 09:55 PM
  #15  
Rudeney's Avatar
MBworld Guru
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,782
Likes: 1,011
NO LONGER ACTIVE
It can be properly diagnosed with SDS. I doubt it's the ECU or you;d have other issues. It still could be a wiring problem between the ECU and temp sensor or ECU and fan.
Reply
Old Apr 28, 2018 | 01:26 PM
  #16  
BK627's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 125
Likes: 5
2007 CLK 350 Cab
Here’s one thing I noticed today. When the fan kicks in at high speed and I then turn the ac on high let it run for about 25 seconds and then turn it off the fan stops aswell. And then it starts back on a maybe 2-3 minutes later. I don’t know if this helps with but it’s something I noticed.
Reply
Old May 13, 2018 | 10:09 AM
  #17  
BK627's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 125
Likes: 5
2007 CLK 350 Cab
I tried plugging in a new fan to see if it’s possibly the control module but that wasn’t it. I had someone plug in their star diagnostic and they said they saw an open circuit and they beleive that it’s the ecu. They are suppose to be coming back with an ecu (not cloned) to put on my car and see if the fan comes on when the key is in 2nd position. They said if the fan doesn’t come on at that point then it’s definitely the ecu. Does that make sense?
Reply
Old May 13, 2018 | 10:32 AM
  #18  
Rudeney's Avatar
MBworld Guru
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,782
Likes: 1,011
NO LONGER ACTIVE
Originally Posted by BK627
Here’s one thing I noticed today. When the fan kicks in at high speed and I then turn the ac on high let it run for about 25 seconds and then turn it off the fan stops aswell. And then it starts back on a maybe 2-3 minutes later. I don’t know if this helps with but it’s something I noticed.

It sounds like the fan is operating normally with the AC function.


Originally Posted by BK627
I tried plugging in a new fan to see if it’s possibly the control module but that wasn’t it. I had someone plug in their star diagnostic and they said they saw an open circuit and they beleive that it’s the ecu. They are suppose to be coming back with an ecu (not cloned) to put on my car and see if the fan comes on when the key is in 2nd position. They said if the fan doesn’t come on at that point then it’s definitely the ecu. Does that make sense?

Did you note the DTCs reported by SDS? The test to see if the fan runs on high with another car's ECU installed will tell you nothing except that the fan controller is functioning properly. Whenever the fan controller fails to get a signal form the ECU, it defaults to high-speed. This is a fail-safe in case the control wires get cut. An alternate, non-cloned ECU will act like a massive ECU failure, and thus the fan won;t be communicating with it and will kick into high speed.

I still don't believe this is an ECU failure. I think there is an implausible signal for an input to the ECU that causes it to put the fan into "default" mode. Like I said on mine, it was a bad connection at the coolant temperature sensor. With SDS connected, you can go into "Drive" -> "ME 9.7" -> "Actuations" and then select the engine/AC suction fan. In there, you can manually control the fan speed. If this works, then the fan, it's control module, and the ECU are all functioning properly.
Reply
Old May 13, 2018 | 11:12 AM
  #19  
BK627's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 125
Likes: 5
2007 CLK 350 Cab
He didn’t mention any DTC’s he did mention that I was low on Freon.
I beleive when he tried to access the fan with the SDS he wasn’t able to and he said it had to do with an open circuit. I’m going to speak to him tomorrow and get better clarification.
Reply
Old May 30, 2018 | 10:15 AM
  #20  
BK627's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 125
Likes: 5
2007 CLK 350 Cab
I finally got the radiator fan working properly!
it turned out to be the ECU. I found a company on eBay that repairs them, I mailed it in and less then a week later it was returned. ($160) but after I installed it and went for a drive I received a check engine light with code P0023 I never had that code before. Any idea what could have caused this
Reply
Old Jun 4, 2018 | 04:39 PM
  #21  
BK627's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 125
Likes: 5
2007 CLK 350 Cab
turns out that the chip that was replaced was damaged after I installed it, they replaced it again and are sending it back to me, but now I’m thinking that its one of three things, 1) they did something wrong when repairing the the ecu, 2) they told me to disconnect the negative cable from the battery before installing the ecu, and I forgot to do that. 3) or I have a short that’s frying the ecu.

can someone provide me with an ecu harness diagram and possibly an explanation on how to test the wires for a short. I have a multimeter reader and light fuse tester. But never had to look for a short before. I want to test the harness before reinstalling the computer again.
Reply
Old Jun 4, 2018 | 11:01 PM
  #22  
Rudeney's Avatar
MBworld Guru
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,782
Likes: 1,011
NO LONGER ACTIVE
I have heard of problems with coils shorting out causing ECU problems.
Reply
Old Jul 11, 2018 | 11:46 PM
  #23  
Derek Likos's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: The Woodlands, Texas
Clk 350
Wow! What a mess man! My radiator fan just went out as well, but mine does not come on AT ALL so when car is idling for about 10 minutes i get a "coolant visit workshop" light. I'm praying i dont have a problem like yours considering i replaced my ECU about 4 months ago, it wouldnt connect to the rear Sam and my car wouldnt start. $1900 later i have my car back but after reading your post its starting to freak me out... hopefully mine is just the fan. Are problems arent quite the same considering my fan doesnt turn on at all, and i agree with ruedney if it was the ECU i doubt your fan would be the only thing wrong.. ill find out next week when i have the time to put my new fan in, I hope all works out for you and you dont end up spending a fortune. I would recommend getting a 2nd or 3rd opinion, because i really dont see how it would be your ECU...
Reply
Old Jul 11, 2018 | 11:50 PM
  #24  
Rudeney's Avatar
MBworld Guru
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,782
Likes: 1,011
NO LONGER ACTIVE
If the radiator fan is not operating at all, check the fuse. It's #5 in the pre-fuse box, located under the positive jump terminal:

http://benzbits.com/w203/PreFuse.pdf
Reply
Old Jul 12, 2018 | 11:20 AM
  #25  
Derek Likos's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: The Woodlands, Texas
Clk 350
Originally Posted by Rudeney
If the radiator fan is not operating at all, check the fuse. It's #5 in the pre-fuse box, located under the positive jump terminal:

http://benzbits.com/w203/PreFuse.pdf
what would it look like if it failed? Ive looked there but it just looks like a bolt with a wire.
Reply

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:
You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:40 PM.

story-0
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-1
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-4
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-6
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Slideshow: From bulletproof sedans to surprisingly tough SUVs, these Mercedes models proved that the three-pointed star can go the distance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-08 09:55:49


VIEW MORE