Nissan Qashqai J10 (2007–2013) is one of the most popular crossovers on the secondary market, but its cooling system often becomes a source of headaches for owners. Problems especially often arise with cooling fan relay, which is responsible for turning on the radiator airflow. If the fan does not work when overheated or, on the contrary, works constantly, the culprit in 70% of cases turns out to be this relay.

In this article we will analyze where is the fan relay located on Qashqai J10 with petrol (MR20DE, HR16DE) and diesel (M9R, K9K) engines like him check with a multimeter without dismantling, which symptoms of malfunction cannot be ignored, and why replacing with a non-original part can lead to new problems. We will also give unique ECU error codes that directly indicate a problem with the relay, and we’ll give you a checklist for self-diagnosis.

Where is the cooling fan relay located? Nissan Qashqai J10

Depending on the year of manufacture and configuration Qashqai J10 the relay can be located in two places:

  • 🔧 Main fuse and relay box (interior, under the driver's side panel). Here the fan relay is usually designated as RADIATOR FAN RELAY or COOLING FAN RELAY and has a number K27 (for petrol versions) or K30 (for diesel engines).
  • 🔌 Additional block under the hood (next to the battery, in a plastic box). Found on restyled models from 2010–2013. and is usually labeled as FAN CONTROL RELAY.

To accurately determine the location, use the diagram from repair manuals (section 12-43 for cooling systems). On diesel Qashqai with engine M9R the relay is often duplicated - one controls low fan speed, the second controls high.

📊 Where is the fan relay located on your Qashqai J10?
  • In the cabin, under the panel
  • Under the hood, next to the battery
  • I don't know, I haven't looked yet
  • I have another problem

If you are not sure which relay is responsible for the fan, refer to wire color, going to the connector: on Qashqai J10 this is usually red-black (food) and green-yellow (control signal from the ECU).

Signs of a bad fan relay: when to sound the alarm

The fan relay rarely fails suddenly; the problem usually progresses. Here are the key symptoms that should alert you:

  • 🔥 Engine overheating at idle or in traffic jams (the temperature gauge creeps into the red zone, but drops when driving).
  • 🌀 The fan does not turn on even when reaching 100–105°C (check OBD scanner or diagnostic connector).
  • ⚡ The fan runs constantly, regardless of temperature (a common problem when relay contacts “stick”).
  • 🚨 Errors P0480/P0481 in the ECU memory (codes indicate a malfunction in the fan control circuit).

On diesel Qashqai J10 with M9R a faulty relay may appear jerking at idle - this is due to the fact that the ECU tries to compensate for overheating by changing the fuel supply.

⚠️ Attention: If the fan does not turn on when the temperature is above 110°C, do not turn off the engine immediately - let it run for 1-2 minutes at idle with the heater on at maximum. A sudden shutdown can cause deformation of the cylinder head due to local overheating.

How to test the fan relay for Nissan Qashqai J10 without dismantling

Before removing the relay, perform preliminary diagnostics:

  1. Start the engine and warm it up to operating temperature (arrow in the middle of the scale).
  2. Turn the air conditioning to maximum - the fan should start within 30-60 seconds (even if the temperature is low). If not, the problem is in the relay or wiring.
  3. Check the fuse F37 (10A) in the cabin unit - it is responsible for the relay control circuit.

If the preliminary tests do not produce results, proceed to checking the relay itself. You will need multimeter (or test lamp) and a screwdriver.

Disconnect the negative battery terminal

Remove the relay from the block (carefully pry it off with a screwdriver)

Check the voltage on pins 85 and 86 (should be 12V when the ignition is on)

Apply 12V to pins 85 and 86 - you should hear a click

Check the resistance between pins 30 and 87 (should be close to 0 ohm) -->

On Qashqai J10 fan relay - 4-pin (type TYCO V23134-A1006-A401 or equivalent). Pinout:

ContactPurposeWire Color (Typical)
85Control "-" (ground from ECU)Black/green
86Control "+" (from the ECU)Red-black
87Fan outputGrey/yellow
30Constant "+" (from the battery)Orange

If there is no click when 12V is supplied to pins 85 and 86, the relay is faulty. If there is a click, but the fan does not spin, the problem is wiring or the fan itself.

Step-by-step instructions for replacing the fan relay with Qashqai J10

Replacing the relay takes 10–15 minutes and does not require special skills. Important to use original relay or a high-quality analogue (for example, Hella 4RA 003 563-121 or Bosch 0 332 019 150). Cheap Chinese relays often “stick” after 2–3 months.

  1. Disable negative battery terminal (required!)
  2. Remove the fuse box cover (in the passenger compartment - pry up the latches, under the hood - unscrew 2 bolts 10mm).
  3. Locate the relay according to the diagram (see section above) and carefully remove it by pulling it up.
  4. Install a new relay same markings (pay attention to the location of the contacts!).
  5. Check fan operation by turning on the ignition and air conditioning.
⚠️ Attention: On diesel Qashqai J10 after replacing the relay it may be necessary reset ECU adaptations via a diagnostic scanner (for example, Launch X431). Without this, the fan may not work correctly at idle.
💡

Before installing a new relay, clean the contacts in the fuse box with alcohol or a special cleaner - oxidation can cause repeated failure.

Common mistakes when diagnosing and repairing

Many owners Qashqai J10 make typical mistakes that lead to repeated breakdowns or damage to other components:

  • 🔧 Ignoring the fuse. If the relay burns out, always check F37 (10A) - its burnout often indicates a short circuit in the fan circuit.
  • 🔌 Replacing a relay without checking the connector. Oxidized or burnt contacts in the fuse box will negate repair efforts.
  • 📉 Using relays from other models. For example, a relay from Nissan X-Trail T31 externally identical, but has a different response time characteristic.
  • 🚗 Neglecting ECU diagnostics. Errors P0480 or P0606 may indicate problems with the control unit firmware.

Another common mistake is relay test without load. Even if the relay clicks when 12V is supplied, under load (when a fan is connected) it may not work due to burnt internal contacts.

What happens if you drive with a faulty fan relay?

On gasoline engines (MR20DE, HR16DE) the risk of overheating is high - after just 5-10 minutes of idling with the fan not working, the temperature will rise to 120°C, which leads to deformation of the cylinder head gasket and antifreeze getting into the oil. On diesels (M9R) the consequences are even more serious: the turbine may fail (due to overheating of the oil) and the pistons will melt.

Relay cost and alternative solutions

Fan relay prices for Nissan Qashqai J10 vary depending on the manufacturer and place of purchase:

ManufacturerArticlePrice (RUB)Notes
Original (Nissan)25230-4M0001 200–1 800Best quality, 1 year warranty
Hella4RA 003 563-121800–1 200Reliable analogue, suitable for diesel engines
Bosch0 332 019 150700–1 000Good price/quality ratio
ERA550147300–500Budget option, resource ~50 thousand km
China (no-name)—150–300Risk of “sticking” after 1–2 months

If the relay fails frequently (more than once a year), check:

  • 🔋 On-board voltage — jumps above 14.5V shorten the life of the relay.
  • 🌡️ Temperature sensor (located next to the thermostat) - its malfunction causes the ECU to send false signals to the relay.
  • 🌀 Fan status - if it jams, the current in the circuit increases and the relay burns out.

As a temporary solution, you can install fan forced switch, but this risks draining the battery if you forget to turn it off.

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

Is it possible to drive without a fan relay if I connect the fan directly?

Technically yes, but it is highly undesirable. With a direct connection, the fan will run constantly, which:

  • Will reduce the life of the fan bearings (they are not designed for continuous operation).
  • It will increase the load on the generator, especially at idle.
  • May cause overcharging of the battery if the voltage regulator is faulty.

This option is only suitable for emergency trip to the service station.

Why does the fan turn on only at high speeds after replacing the relay?

This is a typical diesel problem. Qashqai J10 with M9R. Reasons:

  1. Wrong relay (need two-stage, not single-stage).
  2. The fan resistor (located near the fan motor) is faulty.
  3. There is an error in the ECU firmware (re-flashing or reset of adaptations is required).

Check resistor value (should be ~1–2 ohms). If it is higher, replace the resistor.

How to distinguish an original Nissan relay from a fake?

The original relay has:

  • Clear markings Nissan 25230-4M000 (laser engraving, not sticker).
  • Plastic body with a matte finish (counterfeits are often glossy).
  • Inside are contacts from silver (for fakes - copper or brass).
  • Packaging with a hologram and barcode, which can be checked on the website Nissan.

Counterfeits are usually lighter in weight and have thinner plastic.

What other parts should I check if replacing the relay did not help?

If the fan does not work after replacing the relay, check:

  1. Fuse F37 (10A) - it often burns out during a short circuit in the circuit.
  2. Wiring from the relay to the fan (especially at the point of passage through the motor shield - the wires fray there).
  3. Temperature sensor (located next to the thermostat). If it malfunctions, the ECU does not give a command to turn on the fan.
  4. Engine ECU - on Qashqai J10 with MR20DE There are known problems with firmware "glitches" due to which the fan control does not work.