A fan clutch is a mechanical device that controls the speed of a cooling fan in a vehicle’s engine cooling system. It is typically located between the fan and the water pump and uses a thermal bi-metallic spring to engage and disengage the fan as needed.
The importance of a properly functioning fan clutch cannot be overstated. A fan clutch that is not working properly can lead to overheating of the engine, which can cause serious damage. A properly functioning fan clutch will engage the fan when the engine is hot and disengage it when the engine is cool. This helps to maintain the proper operating temperature of the engine and prevents overheating.