Menu toggle

radiator fans on. sort of....

Guest

Guest

New member
Bloomin' rad fans! my battery keeps going dead, and I noticed when I go in the car, and switch on, the rad fans are both on. not a prob (i thought) i guess it's "just" the temp switch. however, when i get the car started, and switch it off, the fans go off. I noticed the fan#1 fuse had popped out the other day (somehow!), and so I put it back, and the fans behaved "properly", yet today, it did the same thing again, and no fuse problem!

I'm confused. I would have thought if the switch was broke, then the fans would be on all the time, and therefore draining the battery. something doesn't add up!

oh well, i guess i'm getting my hands dirty, but before i do, does anyone have experience of this problem at all? (just please tell me it's not the horrible expensive relay!) [:mad:]
 
I would suggest that it is the relatively expensive (but very difficult to get to) rad switch.

Beaky did the same thing on our Scotland Tour. As a temporary fix I removed the two rad fan fuses and replaced them with line fuses and switches.

If you use insulated spade connectors you can slip them into the fuse slots and use the female connectors to hold the fuse you removed. you can drop the wires down through the bottom of the fuse box, into the passenger footwell, and tape the switches conveniently to the dash. Just remember to switch on when you get in the car and off when you leave.

Beaky only did it once, while we were away, so I removed the switches on our return and the fault seemed to have cleared its self. I still had the switch replaced the next time he was in for a service though.
 
cheers John.

It still seems relatively strange the fans would behave like that. afterall, they usually run after the engine is off (when it's hot of course) so to my mind, they have the possibility to run all the time, yet they only run when the ignition is on!? oh well.
 
Mike
Mine do BOTH ..Running when ignition is on or off..
I can run the car for a short while until its warm... Turn it off then start it up a few minuits later + low + behold the fans start to run...The temp gauge isnt even in the HOT section...
But when / if i leave the car ticking over + the temp rises then the fans do kick in as they should + continue to run even if i turn the ignition totaly off.....
I think my heat sensor thing is on the blink.....
I intend to change the radiator soon as i think its a bit blocked up so ill try + sort the sensor out then....
 
Dave, that's how mine did work. however they used to turn off after a while once the engine cooled down to a point. that's how they are supposed to work.

however, they now come on as soon as i turn on the ignition (even after being left overnight), which would lead me too to believe it's the rad switch. what i can't get my head around is that when i switch off, the fans go off too. to my mind if the switch is at fault, it would still "think" the temp is high, and run even after the switch is off, but it doesn't, hence the question!

I wouldn't panic on yours, not unless they don't switch off of course. Mine however, is another question. I love lying on my back in a pool of coolant!
 
Hi All,

As always seems to be the case, I only find fantastic forums like this when I have a problem. Apologies, first post and it's an ask.

As of last night, the low-speed fan is stuck on permanently. Popped out to the car last night to get something and noticed the fan was running still. Pulled out the relay and gave it a whack, put back in and the fan restarted. Took the fuse out, put back in and the fan restarted. Left the fuse out over night, put back in this morning and the fan restarted again (keys not in the ignition).

The high-speed fan seems to operate as it should, so any ideas?
 
Sorry, just found the info (mental note: as in all forums, the search function is a wonderful thing...[:)])
 
first , a confession. I am stupid!

the two fans come on (on ignition) when the ac switch is on. second, I had my laptop adapter wired up incorrectly which was draining the battery. Doh.

Anyhow, if my stupidity can help someone then great! Jay, go over to www.clarks-garage.com . there's a page on there on the workshop manual about troubleshooting the cooling fan system, and I'm sure there's something on there about your problem! note there are a few sections on there for older/newer cars, and cars with or without AC.
 
Cheers pikey, the link is very useful. Guess I know what I'm doing on Saturday then....
 
Just another quick question, do I need specific coolant? I remember reading somewhere that I can't just use any 'For Alloy Engines' coolant, but Porsche/VAG approved... something like that anyway.

Cheers in advance!

Jay
 
naah. any phosphate free, for alloy engines coolant is fine. I think I picked up some mobil stuff in halfrauds last time i was in, but i'm sure you can get it cheaper elsewhere.....
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Posts made and opinions expressed are those of the individual forum members

Use of the Forum is subject to the Terms and Conditions

Disclaimer

The opinions expressed on this site are not necessarily those of the Club, who shall have no liability in respect of them or the accuracy of the content. The Club assumes no responsibility for any effects arising from errors or omissions.

Porsche Club Great Britain gives no warranties, guarantees or assurances and makes no representations or recommendations regarding any goods or services advertised on this site. It is the responsibility of visitors to satisfy themselves that goods and/or services supplied by any advertiser are bona fide and in no instance can the Porsche Club Great Britain be held responsible.

When responding to advertisements please ensure that you satisfy yourself of any applicable call charges on numbers not prefixed by usual "landline" STD Codes. Information can be obtained from the operator or the white pages. Before giving out ANY information regarding cars, or any other items for sale, please satisfy yourself that any potential purchaser is bona fide.

Directors of the Board of Porsche Club GB, Club Office Staff, Register Secretaries and Regional Organisers are often requested by Club members to provide information on matters connected with their cars and other matters referred to in the Club Rules. Such information, advice and assistance provided by such persons is given in good faith and is based on the personal experience and knowledge of the individual concerned.

Neither Porsche Club GB, nor any of the aforementioned, shall be under any liability in respect of any such information, advice or assistance given to members. Members are advised to consult qualified specialists for information, advice and assistance on matters connected with their cars at all times.

Porsche
Lockton
Pirelli
Officially approved
Oracle Finance
WEX Esso
Collecting Cars
Archant Dialogue
Back
Top