No Fan

[Eagle]

I need Help!

The fan is not working at all and the engine is overheating and boiling all the water out of the reservor. What can I do to check the fan to see if its a relay or the fan motor?

Thanks

[CalAltaDubber]

There is no relay in the system.

The fan is controlled by a thermostatic switch located on the radiator housing (usually on the lower driver's side).

Take the connector off the switch. If your car has AC the switch should have three pins, (one for 12Vdc in and one for each fan speed.) non ac cars have two (12 Vdc and the fan on).

Using a test lead, short the pins together. If the fan runs the thermostatis switch needs to be replaced. If the fan still doesn't run it is either the fan is shot or the fuse is blown.

If you are not sure where the switch is, anoter test is to remove the connector off the back of the fan and measure across the pins. With the engine cold, should have 0 Vdc. With the engine hot (when the fan should be running) should be 12 Vdc

This is a hot circuit. That is to say it is not controlled by the ignition switch and 12 VDC is applied to the switch all the time.

The switch is threaded into the rad, so it would be a good idea to have the replacment on hand before replacing it.

[kamzcab86]

In addition to what Phil said, fuse #1 could be blown and/or you could have a faulty thermostat (if it doesn't open, coolant isn't circulating through the radiator). Moral of the story: Whether it's the fan switch or the thermostat that's faulty, replace them both at the same time and do a coolant flush.

[Eagle]

Thanks so much Phil and Kamz, I will try that tomorrow. I really appreciate your help. Maybe I can get the "Bald Headed Bunny" back on the road.

Thanks

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Da Screaming Eagle

[Eagle]

Still no luck. First I checked the fuse, what a job. Fairly hard to remove but took me about 15 minutes to put it back in. Hood release is sure in the way. Fuse OK.

Then I was going to check the switch but my hands are to large to fit in between the radiator and the battery stand.

Do I have to take the radiator out to check the switch or is there a trick to doing a check?

Thanks in advance.

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Da Screaming Eagle

[Briano1234]

Do I have to take the radiator out to check the switch or is there a trick to doing a check?

Well to be honest that is the only way I have checked them as in out of the car.... (radiator removal).

I usually heat it with a small butane torch I have then measure it.

Have you checked the after fan run relay?
Have you jumpered 12vdc to the fan to see if it will run at all?

[CalAltaDubber]

The Thermal switch is located at the bottom of the rad on the drivers side.

It is a fairly hard place to get at but if you can remove the connector and jumpper across the pins of the connector, the fan should run.

If the fan runs, the switch needs to be replaced. If the fan does not run, the fan is the most likly problem.

I have replaced the switch with the rad in the car on a MK I Golf (German car). For the cabby, you might need to remove the black air hose to get access. In my mind, a lot easier than removing the rad.

[Eagle]

Thanks Briano and Phil, I will try and get to it today. Trying to do a brake job on my Thing for an upcoming show this weekend but still want to get the Cabby running.

Thanks for your help.


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Da Screaming Eagle

[Eagle]

At last I got around to working on the Cabby. I just wired the fan direct so if the key is on, the fan is running, seems to work good. Drained the radiator and put in fresh anti-freeze and put in a new thermostat. I've driven the car about 150 miles and she ran as cool as a cucumber.

Thanks for all the helpful tips.

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Screaming Eagle

[gull]

At last I got around to working on the Cabby. I just wired the fan direct so if the key is on, the fan is running, seems to work good. Drained the radiator and put in fresh anti-freeze and put in a new thermostat. I've driven the car about 150 miles and she ran as cool as a cucumber.

That's a good stop-gap, but I would recommend fixing the thermoswitch eventually. With the fan on all the time, both the fan motor and the alternator are likely to die an early death.

[Eagle]

Thanks for the tip Gull, I'll try to replace it soon. Don't want anything else going out on it if I can help it.

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Screaming Eagle