Cooling fan relay <em>Nissan Qashqai J10</em>: location, check and replacement

Owners Nissan Qashqai first generation (J10, 2007-2013) often encounter problems with engine overheating, which are often caused by faulty cooling fan relay. This small but critical element is responsible for activating the radiator fan, and its failure can lead to serious consequences - from increased fuel consumption to engine seizure. Unlike newer models, where fan control is often tied to an electronic unit, J10 The relay plays a key role in the circuit.

This article will help you figure out where the fan relay is located on Qashqai J10, how to check it without special equipment, and what to do if it fails. We will look at typical symptoms of a malfunction, provide connection diagrams and give step-by-step instructions for self-repair. We will pay special attention difference between fan relay and engine control unit (ECU) relay — this confusion is often exploited by unscrupulous services, imposing unnecessary work.

Where is the fan relay located? Nissan Qashqai J10

B Qashqai J10 The cooling fan relay is located in fuse and relay mounting block, which is located inside the car, to the left of the steering column. To access the block, you must:

1. Open the driver's door and remove decorative cover under the steering wheel (it is secured with two latches).
2. Unscrew the two screws securing the fuse box (usually a Phillips screwdriver).
3. Lower the block down to provide access to the relays and fuses.

The fan relay itself Qashqai J10 is marked R17 (on some versions - R15) and is located in lower right corner of the block. It is important not to confuse it with a relay R16 (fuel pump) or R18 (air conditioning compressor), which are identical in appearance. For convenience, the layout is shown below:

Designation	Purpose	Rating/Type
R15/R17	Cooling fan relay	12V, 30A (normally open)
F30	Fan fuse	30A
R16	Fuel pump relay	12V, 15A
R18	A/C compressor relay	12V, 10A

On some modifications Qashqai J10 (for example, with an engine MR20DE) the relay may be in additional block under the hood, next to the battery. To determine its exact location, check wiring diagram your configuration or use a scanner ELM327 for circuit diagnostics.

Symptoms of a Bad Fan Relay

Faulty fan relay on Qashqai J10 does not manifest itself immediately - symptoms may increase gradually. Here are the key signs to look out for:

• 🔥 Engine overheating at idle or in traffic jams (the temperature gauge rises above 90°C, but drops at speed).
• 🚗 The fan does not turn on even when a critical temperature is reached (checked visually or by ear).
• ⚡ The fan runs constantly, regardless of the engine temperature (indicates sticking of the relay contacts).
• 🔌 Fuse F30 (30A) often blows - this may indicate a short circuit in the relay circuit.
• 💡 Error P0480 or P0481 in memory ECU (read by diagnostic scanner).

It is important to distinguish a relay malfunction from problems with temperature sensor or the fan itself. For example, if the fan does not turn on, but when direct connection to battery (12V) works - the problem is definitely in the relay or wiring. If the fan does not respond even to direct power, the fan motor itself is faulty.

⚠️ Attention: On Qashqai J10 with engines HR16DE And MR20DE the fan may not turn on until 105°C This is normal behavior of the cooling system. Don't panic if the temperature gauge rises to just above the middle!

How to test the fan relay for Qashqai J10 multimeter

Checking the fan relay does not require special skills - just have it on hand multimeter (or even a test lamp) and know the pinout. Diagnostic algorithm:

1. Remove the relay from the block (press the latch and pull up).
2. Ring the winding: connect the multimeter probes to the contacts 85 And 86 (see diagram below). Resistance must be within 50–120 Ohm. If the device shows a break or zero, the relay is faulty.
3. Check your contacts: serve 12V to contacts 85 And 86 (for example, from a battery). You should hear a click - this means that the contacts 30 And 87 closed up. If there is no click, the relay needs to be replaced.

Fan relay pinout Nissan Qashqai J10:

[85] [86]
│
[30] [87]

• 85, 86 — control contacts (winding).
• 30 — input (+12V from the battery through a fuse F30).
• 87 - fan output.

If the relay is OK, but the fan does not work, check:

• 🔋 Fuse F30 (30A) - it often burns out when shorted in the circuit.
• 🔌 Wiring from relay to fan (especially at the point of passage through the engine shield).
• 📡 Signal from ECU to contact 85 (must be 12V when the temperature reaches 100°C).

Ring the winding (85-86)

Apply 12V to 85-86 and check for short circuit 30-87

Check fuse F30

Inspect wiring for damage

Check the signal from the ECU-->

Articles and analogues of fan relays for Qashqai J10

Original cooling fan relay for Nissan Qashqai J10 has an article number 25230-4M200 or 25230-4M205 (depending on the year of manufacture). However, it is not necessary to buy the original - there are many high-quality analogues from trusted brands:

Brand	Article	Price (approximate)	Notes
Nissan (original)	25230-4M200	1 200–1 500 ₽	Guaranteed compatibility, but often counterfeited.
Hella	4RA 003 567-331	400–600 ₽	Optimal price/quality ratio.
Bosch	0 332 019 150	500–700 ₽	High resource, but there are defective batches.
Febi	25230	300–450 ₽	Budget option, suitable for temporary replacement.

When purchasing a relay, pay attention to:

• 🔍 Contact type - they must be silver (not copper) to avoid oxidation.
• 📦 Packaging - original relays Nissan supplied in branded bags with a hologram.
• 🔧 Winding resistance - for high-quality relays it is 70–90 Ohm.

⚠️ Attention: Do not buy relays with markings "Made in China" without a brand - they often fail after 1-2 months. Better to overpay for Hella or Boschthan changing the relay every six months.

Step-by-step instructions for replacing the fan relay

Replacing the fan relay with Qashqai J10 takes no more than 10 minutes and does not require special tools. Follow this algorithm:

1. Disconnect the battery (remove the negative terminal) to avoid short circuit.
2. Remove the decorative cover under the steering wheel (it is held on by two latches).
3. Lower the fuse boxby unscrewing the two screws with a Phillips screwdriver.
4. Find relay R17 (see diagram at the beginning of the article) and remove it by pressing the latch.
5. Install a new relay into the same connector (make sure the pins are not bent).
6. Reassemble everything in reverse order and connect the battery.

After replacing the relay be sure to check the fan operation:

• 🔥 Start the engine and let it warm up until 95–100°C.
• 👂 Listen - the fan should turn on with a characteristic noise.
• 📉 If the fan does not work, check fuse F30 And fan connector (often oxidizes).

What should I do if the fan does not work after replacing the relay?

If the new relay is working properly, but the fan does not turn on, the problem may be:

1. **Wiring break** between the relay and the fan (check with a multimeter).

2. **Temperature sensor malfunction** (replace sensor, part no. 21080-4M000).

3. **Crash in ECU** (requires diagnostics with a scanner, for example, Launch X431).

4. **Fan motor jammed** (try turning the blades by hand - if they don’t rotate, replace the fan).

Frequent mistakes during diagnostics and repairs

Even experienced car owners make mistakes when working with the fan relay on Qashqai J10. Here are the most common:

• 🔧 Confusing the fan relay with the fuel pump relay (R16). This leads to the fact that after replacement the problem remains and the car does not start.
• 🔥 Ignore fuse check F30. A blown fuse can simulate a relay failure.
• 📡 They don't check the signal from ECU. If on contact 85 relay doesn't come 12V, the problem is in the control unit or wiring.
• 💡 Install relays from other models (for example, from Nissan X-Trail T31). Although they are similar in appearance, the denominations may differ.

Another common mistake is attempt to "reanimate" the relay by tapping or heating. This may temporarily restore contact, but in 90% of cases it results in relay sticking in closed state, which causes the fan to run constantly, draining the battery.

💡

If after replacing the relay the fan turns on only at high engine speeds, the problem lies in temperature sensor or wiring from ECU to the relay.

Preventing fan problems Qashqai J10

To avoid relay and cooling fan problems, follow these guidelines:

• 🔧 Clean the radiator and fan every 30,000 km from dirt and fluff - this reduces the load on the cooling system.
• 💧 Use quality antifreeze (For example, Nissan Coolant L248) and change it every 5 years.
• 🔌 Check relay contacts periodically — oxidation leads to overheating and failure.
• 📡 Watch out for bugs ECU - codes P0480 And P0481 indicate problems in the fan circuit.

If you frequently drive in traffic or off-road, consider installing additional fan with separate thermostat. This will reduce the load on the standard cooling system and extend the life of the relay.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about the fan relay Nissan Qashqai J10

Is it possible to drive with a faulty fan relay?

Short term - yes, but with caution. The engine will overheat in traffic jams and at idle speed. If the temperature needle rises above 105°C, stop immediately and allow the engine to cool. Driving for a long time with overheating will lead to cylinder head deformation or jamming of the pistons.

How to distinguish a relay malfunction from a temperature sensor malfunction?

If faulty relay, the fan will not turn on at all (or will work constantly). If faulty temperature sensor, the fan may turn on randomly (for example, on a cold engine) or not turn on when there is real overheating. Check the sensor with a multimeter - its resistance should change when heated.

Which relay can be used instead of the original one?

Any will do 4 pin relay with par value 30A and winding resistance 70–90 Ohm. The best analogues: Hella 4RA 003 567-331 or Bosch 0 332 019 150. The main thing is to have contacts silver, not copper.

Why does the fan run constantly after replacing the relay?

This speaks of sticking contacts in a new relay or short circuit in the control circuit. Check:

• Correct relay connection (contacts 85 And 86 must not be short-circuited).
• Contact voltage 85 - if there is always there 12V, the problem is ECU.
• Condition of the wiring between the relay and ECU (a ground break is possible).

Where to buy a fan relay for Qashqai J10?

The original relay can be ordered from official dealers Nissan (article 25230-4M200). Analogues from Hella or Bosch sold in auto parts stores (AutoDoc, Exist, EMEX) or on marketplaces (Wildberries, Ozon). Price – from 300 to 1,500 ₽ depending on the brand.