radiator fan

[gybjw]

My car (91 16v) has been running really hot in traffic (needle between 1/2 and 3/4) and the oil temp up to 120 when not moving (normally 112-114). Let the car idle last night until it was hot and the fan isn't kicking in at all.

1. Will I knacker my car driving it for a few weeks like this until I can get to a garage (most of my driving is dual carriageway).

2. What shall I check first (already checked fuse) to narrow the problem down? Can I put some power straight to the fan to check the motor hasn't gone before I check anything else?

3. What do I need to look at after I've checked the motor?

Thanks in advance, Ben

[Daz...]

1. I wouldn't recommend driving the car without the fan working just incase you do get stuck in traffic.

2. Yep, check the motor first.

3. If the motor works then you will probably need to change the sensor in the bottom of the radiator where the fan plugs into. My minds gone blank and I can't remember the correct name for it but it's basically what tells the fan to come on at a certain temp. It's a screw in job and you may aswell flush the coolant whilst your doing it.

[billytheboot]

Yep I had to replace one of these tother day...

its called a thermoswitch and it looks a bit like large bolt, as Daz says its a screw in job on the bottom right of the radiator.

i paid about 10-15 from the stealership for mine.

 

[gc350]

Had a similar problem on my Mk2 8v, turned out to be the connector that plugs into the fan motor.

[Thom89]

Pull the wires off the fan switch at the bottom of the radiator, and touch them together, this should kick the fan in, for as long as your holding the wires together, (mind your fingers in the fan!) if the fan works, its almost certainly the fan switch that is at fault, if the fan doesn't start, it could be the motor, or the wiring.. my money is on the switch though!
You can temporarily wire the 2 connectors together, so the fan runs all the time, until you get the switch sorted, never drive without the fan working!  thats a shortcut to needing a new head gasket $$$$$!
Tom

[gybjw]

ok so checked fan and is working fine. next job off to gsf to get a thermoswitch. haynes does mention "a temperature sender on the end of the cylinder block below the outlet elbow"  - is it worth changing this as well?

cheers

[Thom89]

Temp sender operates the temp gauge in the car, if its working OK theres no need... while youve got the water out the cooling system, take some time to flush out the radiator, engine block and hoses
Dont forget to get some antifreeze, for when you refill the system
Tom

[gybjw]

Just did the thermoswitch in the end and I'm working again!

  Cheers guys

[Daz...]

glad you got it sorted mate