2013 Ford F-150 EcoBoost Cooling Fans Run on Cold Start

Owner of a 2013 F-150 is concerned that an overheating condition may have caused a problem with the fans.

Old school Ford F-150 pickups had clutch fans that were connected to the front of the engine, so they spun anytime that the engine was running. Modern trucks use an electric fan system with a built-in thermostat system, so the fans only run when they are needed, but they don’t only run when the engine reaches a certain temperature.

However, when “jasonashton” noticed that the cooling fans in his 2013 Ford F-150 were spinning on a cold start after having a cooling system issue,  he turned to the forum to find out of the fans should be working on a cold start, or if he might have bigger issues.

The Introduction

When the OP first posted his question, he explained what he thought might be a problem with this 2013 F-150, along with talking about a cooling system issue that he previously had repaired.

Only on the first morning start the cooling fan kicks on for about 30 sec just after its started then it turns off, this is the 4th day it’s been happening, a while back I was overheating and the high speed fans would come on but a thermostat fixed that issue, could this be related or is there another issue that won’t throw a code? Very strange I say.

The first person to reply was “Siberexpress”, who asked if some interior features might be engaged.

Is your Defroster or AC on, they both use the Compressor and if it comes on the cooling fan does also.

The OP was quick to dismiss that.

no, but now that you mention that if my heater settings are off and the heat dial is at full cold the fan comes on, if my heater is off but set to heat the fan does not come on, weird

F-150 Cooling Fan Function

Next, the members began to discuss the possibility that the overheating condition caused a problem, with “JackandJanet” bringing it up.

I wonder if it’s possible the sensors for the fan were damaged by the “overheating condition”? That kind of thing used to be a problem back in the day.

The OP then shared more information after playing with the truck to find out if anything impacted whether or not the cooling fans of his F-150 ran during start-up.

So we have somewhat figured most of it out, on a cold start the ac condenser turns on and then the fan, about 10 sec after its started you can hear the ac clutch kick off and about 30 sec after that the fans click off, does anyone know what is causing the ac to turn on cold start?

At that point, it seemed as though the OP had an issue with his air conditioning system, but two members pointed out that their cooling fans have run on a cold start since new.

First, “razorsharp1” posted about his 2012 F-150.

My ’12 has always started with everything running wide open, even well below zero. The fans shut down in a few seconds. Most likely because in the cold i always start the defrosters on high, full heat to warm up the glass gradually (had a windshield pop from thermal shock years ago and it was not fun). The defrost air will warm up very slowly as the engine warms up while I am brushing off the snow. My defrosters are always on at cold start, it is just a habit I have, turn the defrost on high when I shut down so it is ready in the AM, winter or summer.

Followed by “Labnerd” with similar input.

My 2014 3.7 has the fans coming on at cold startup. Has since new regardless of temperature.

However, the OP later found the cause of his problem, and it did relate to the air conditioning system.

AC was low and refilled, no more cold start fans.

So it seems as though the OP found the cause of his issue, even though most owners point out that their cooling fans run for a short time on start up. If you have input on this discussion or if you have questions of your own, click here to head over to the thread.

Patrick Rall

"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.

"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.

"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.

"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.

"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.

"Being based on Detroit," says Rall, "I never miss the North American International Auto Show, the Woodward Dream Cruise and Roadkill Nights, along with spending plenty of time raising hell on Detroit's Woodward Avenue with the best muscle car crowd in the world.

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