fan test/new fan?

[tee3peeo]

Just started the engine after a five month lay up. All seemed to be going well when I noticed that the temperature gauge was scarily over to the right and the engine was hotter than the sun. Tested the radiator fan as Haynes and wikis - nothing at either terminal, ignition on and off - fan dead as the proverbial (wasn't sure whether I should be shorting either the switch or the plug I pulled off but I did both). So the questions are (1) I want to rule out a bad earth - where are the earth crowns for the early style fuse box please? The top post only shows the later fuse-box. There's one on the steering column but I don't think the fan's earthed there. (2) If I need a new fan, where can I get please - any recommendations? Are there any new ones/ has anyone got one?

many thanks
Zeb

Early '85 DG syncro

[pirate-pete]

Earth crowns for early fuse box in same place. Just above and to the right on the pillar.

However I think the rad fan is earthed to the side of the radiator. It's a while since I looked but I think the browns are screwed to the body to the nearside of the radiator.

Check you have 12V at the thermoswitch on the radiator too. Should be a permanent live to one of the terminals. If not check the fuses. With the ceramic ones I think the fan is four or five along from right hand side working to left. If you get 12V one one terminal bridge it to each of the other terminals in turn to bypass switch and see if fan comes on then.

[tee3peeo]

ok - thanks Pirate-Pete - didn't check the thermo switch - I'll do that tomorrow. If the switch has given up the ghost is it easy to get off?

[pirate-pete]

Should be easy.

As long as you have new one handy and are quick you won't loose too much coolant when swapping them. Mine failed in the closed position and luckily happened when I was nearby. A neighbour heard it and thought I'd left my engine running!

[tee3peeo]

ok - cheers
Zeb

[tee3peeo]

Still no fan...
When I tested the centre pin on the fan loom there is no voltage present - I'm thinking that the loom has a supply problem.
When I supply power direct from the battery to the pins either side - one side nothing at all happens, the other side a relay under they dashboard clicks (but no fan action) - I'm thinking that this means the fan doesn't work - breakers?

So - I'd like to trace the feed to the fan(central pin). Haynes states that the early fusebox has a fan fuse at position 7, but the Brickwerks list states that position 7 is spare. Does anyone with an early fuse box know where the live feed is routed please.

I think I need to take the dashboard off to have a look at the relay too. If it clicks when one side receives power I'm guessing that it should click on the other too. I think Haynes lists the fan relay as no.24.

Any thoughts on this gratefully received.

[tee3peeo]

ok - getting there
I found a good discussion about fuses at
https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=39&t=94553

it look like Haynes is confused about the fuse at position no.7 in the early fusebox

I also found out that the relay only works for the high speed side of the fan - so that's a good thing.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=467622

so I'm still thinking that the fan is dead but I don't know why there's no feed to the fan on the centre pin. Does anyone know where the loom from the radiator comes out under the dash please?

Zeb

[pirate-pete]

Fuse 7 seems the right one but Haynes does say "Typical". Brickwerks info is probably taken from an Aircooled manual and they don't have radiator fans hence position 7 for those will be spare.

Looking at the wiring diagrams I don't think the centre pin should have a voltage as pin 2 of the 3 goes to the fan and on to earth. Pin 3 should be the live one and colour should be red/white. See if you have a voltage on that. The middle one to the fan should be black/red and pin 1 should be red/blue which connects to the relay to energise the high speed circuit. Did you try connecting battery to the centre pin rather than just the side ones? That should get the fan to spin.

On my LHD van the fan loom comes up into the cab behind the instrument panel. The relay is on the left hand pillar above the earth crowns. You can see it in the link you posted - the right hand side one of the twin holder in Steve T's post. Look closely and you can see the Red/blue at the back that comes from the switch - also the thicker red/white 12v feed from the fuse and the thick red to the fan itself.

If you can check for voltage on the red/white at the relay too. My guess is that the fuse has gone or the red/white wire has come loose from the fuseboard and the fan itself is fine. See if you can follow the red/white along from the relay to the fuseboard - if not look to see what wires are connected either side of fuse 7 and make sure the connections are tight.

[tee3peeo]

many thanks Pirate Pete - I'll check tomorrow
Zeb

[tee3peeo]

very many thanks Pirate Pete - you were right on the money - red/white had come away from fuse - fan works fine now on both speeds

cheers
Zeb

[pirate-pete]

Good news

Thats better than a new fan.