Electric Fan

[leedsj]

When is the electric fan supposed to kick in? I can't seem to get it to start up - was thinking maybe it's temperature sensitive? can anyone shed some light?

james

[peterako]

Hi James,

Assuming that the fan is connected to an otter switch or equivalent on your radiator....

Welll, it'll depend on the setting in the otter switch

(Sorry )

Mine kicks in at roughly 85 on the gauge.

'Normal' running temperature on my car is on the first line after the 50 degree on the guage.

I guess you could check if the otter is working by shorting accross the contacts on the otter switch

Caveat Emptor!

I also have an override on my fan circuit to allow me to put the fam on at will.

Does your fan run at all?

Might be a good place to start.

I have not yet (touch wood) had any over heating problems with my +2, even when very rarely stuck in rush hour Dublin traffic.

Last week I travelled 100 metres in 35 minutes in Dublin City Centre on the way to a meeting.
I'm SO glad I don't live there any more

Best of luck,
Peter

[Frank Howard]

James,

If your Otter switch isn't running the fan through a relay, I can practically guarantee that the switch is fried.

[cliveyboy]

James
As a rule of thumb your fan should kick in about 10C above your thermostat temperature.
e.g I have 82C thermostat so my fan operates at about 92C

As Pete suggests short out the otter switch and make sure the fan is capable of operating. If it doesnt check there is voltage getting to it if there is, check its earthed OK if all thats OK the fan is faulty.

I personally have not had problems running the fans straight through the otter switch (no relay) but Frank does have a valid point as a lot of current can be drawn by a fan

Clive

[CBUEB1771]

I personally have not had problems running the fans straight through the otter switch (no relay) but Frank does have a valid point as a lot of current can be drawn by a fan

Today's reproductions of the Otter switch seem to have low current capacity compared to the original. I have had several failures before adding a relay to take load off of the switch.

[Frank Howard]

I know from personal experience that the current Otter switches require a relay because:

1. I fried my first replacement Otter switch not realizing that a relay was required.
2. The Dave Bean catalogue states that a relay is required.