When should the radiator fan come on?

[climberjim]

Hi Folks, just another little query.

I have never heard my fan come on and believe it might be faulty.

Where on the temp gauge should the needle be when the fan is supposed to operate? this is on a 1.9 petrol.

Jim

[Red Westie]

.About 2/3rds the way over on the gauge but no higher..depending on the fan type fitted it may come on in stages, the first stage being pretty quiet hence the possibility of not hearing it.
Besides it's rare for the fan to come on in the winter months..usually the first traffic jam you get stuck in on a warming spring/summer day.

Martin

[climberjim]

Ok great, that might explain why I've never heard the fan. I have had car after car which loves to overheat, so whenever the temp has gone over halfway on the gauge I've turned on the heaters. I will brave it on a warm day.

Cheers
Jim

[Plasticman]

Jim as he ^^^ says but also bear in mind that the needle at 12noon is the desired running position many guages read high or as in my case a bit low, keep an eye on where it tends to sit at this time of year and note changes in climate and traffic,
mine only comes on when working hard 1.6D up a big drag in summer
mike

[kit]

I have only heard mine 3 times in 8 years.

[Plasticman]

I have only heard mine 3 times in 8 years.

Then turn the sounds down
mike

[kit]

I have only heard mine 3 times in 8 years.

Then turn the sounds down
mike

What and have to listen to the engine?

[climberjim]

That makes me feel better, I will try to get it to work. Think that I will have to wait till the summer mmmmm the summer......

[Ian Hulley]

Take the multiplug off the rad switch and using a small piece of cable bridge the thick wire to each of the others in turn and the fan(s) should come on. If they don't the fan or wiring is duff. If they do work but never come on on their own the switch could be duff, not unknown

For peace of mind I have a manual over-ride switch on the dash which means I can put on the fan when I choose.

Ian

[bigblue16]

Hi, something really simple but you may not have tried - check the fuse! I forget which one it is but someone had put a too small fuse in my bus and it was blown - didn't notice for a year of owning it till a hot day on the peripherique round Paris - very bad news.
Cheers.

[kingdalg]

my temp gauge sits at 3/4 and never goes over. is this normal? i run 1.6 diesel cheers.

[billy739]

1st fuse in the box nearest the door

30 amp green usually

[bigblue16]

1st fuse in the box nearest the door

30 amp green usually

Yes - the previous owner had replaced mine with a 15Amp I think - at the time I decided to check them all, as I was putting an upgraded lighting kit in, surprising number were the wrong size - too big and too small!

Reminds me I'll have to put a note in the fuse cover to tell the next owner why the bigger fuses are on the light circuits!

cheers
Scott

[climberjim]

Hi, something really simple but you may not have tried - check the fuse! I forget which one it is but someone had put a too small fuse in my bus and it was blown - didn't notice for a year of owning it till a hot day on the peripherique round Paris - very bad news.
Cheers.

I will try that asap.

Like the idea of a switch on the dash, used to have that setup on an old peugeot i had couldnt fault it.

[California Dreamin]

I suppose I should have been more accurate in my reply by saying most (not all) transporter models have a 3pin 'dual' speed fan that has two temperture ranges.

1st speed comes on at 87°C and goes off again at 76°C (low humming)
2nd speed comes on at 93°C and that goes off at 82°C (lets get ready to TAKE OFF!)

Martin