Radiator Fan and Temp Gauge Problems

An alchemy of sparks, copper wire and earth

Moderators: User administrators, Moderators

Post Reply
User avatar
DibDub
Registered user
Posts: 67
Joined: 12 Jan 2013, 15:47
80-90 Mem No: 11951
Location: South Devon

Radiator Fan and Temp Gauge Problems

Post by DibDub »

Hello all,
I have a problem with my radiator van fan not coming on, it never has done. I've bridge the connection on the spade connectors as the wiki suggest and it is only coming on at high speed. My earth crowns have been cleaned as have the contacts on the plug.

My temperature gauge is also not working, this has been replaced with a new the temp sender.

I'm quite worried about the damage this can do, not knowing how hot my engine is and no fan kicking in.

I thought about renewing the radiator fan switch, is this likely to make any difference?
Are my 2 issues related in any way?

Any help or suggestions on these problems would be very much appreciated.
1989 1.9 watercooled HighTop T25

User avatar
DoubleOSeven
Registered user
Posts: 2499
Joined: 25 Jul 2014, 21:10
80-90 Mem No: 14520
Location: Reading, England
Contact:

Re: Radiator Fan and Temp Gauge Problems

Post by DoubleOSeven »

At the bottom of the radiator is your temp sender to activate the fan. I'd be changing that. However the thermostat should be able to regulate your ideal 87C most of the time. The fans rarely come on.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
2005 Porsche 911 3.6 Manual
2012 Volkswagen Polo 1.4 Automatic

User avatar
kevtherev
Registered user
Posts: 18832
Joined: 23 Oct 2005, 20:13
80-90 Mem No: 2264
Location: Country estate Wolverhampton Actually

Re: Radiator Fan and Temp Gauge Problems

Post by kevtherev »

Yes I would change the switch too
No it's not related.
Check that the gauge actually works by grounding the temp sender orange/red wire
It should go fully up when grounded.
AGG 2.0L 8V. (Golf GTi MkIII)

User avatar
DibDub
Registered user
Posts: 67
Joined: 12 Jan 2013, 15:47
80-90 Mem No: 11951
Location: South Devon

Re: Radiator Fan and Temp Gauge Problems

Post by DibDub »

Thanks guys.
I'll order the rad fan switch from brickwerks now and try grounding the temp sender.
If the temp gauge still does not work is it worth me getting an after market one? I have been looking at the VDO ones.
1989 1.9 watercooled HighTop T25

User avatar
DibDub
Registered user
Posts: 67
Joined: 12 Jan 2013, 15:47
80-90 Mem No: 11951
Location: South Devon

Re: Radiator Fan and Temp Gauge Problems

Post by DibDub »

DoubleOSeven wrote:At the bottom of the radiator is your temp sender to activate the fan. I'd be changing that. However the thermostat should be able to regulate your ideal 87C most of the time. The fans rarely come on.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yes I would change the switch too
No it's not related.
Check that the gauge actually works by grounding the temp sender orange/red wire
It should go fully up when grounded.

After your advice and replacing the temperature switch on the rad my fan is now working.
I have also grounded the temp sender using the info in the wiki and my gauge goes up fully.
What would be my next port of call? Replacing the temp gauge sender?
1989 1.9 watercooled HighTop T25

User avatar
kevtherev
Registered user
Posts: 18832
Joined: 23 Oct 2005, 20:13
80-90 Mem No: 2264
Location: Country estate Wolverhampton Actually

Re: Radiator Fan and Temp Gauge Problems

Post by kevtherev »

Yes.
And the O ring and the clip.
AGG 2.0L 8V. (Golf GTi MkIII)

User avatar
CovKid
Trader
Posts: 8411
Joined: 30 Apr 2006, 13:19
80-90 Mem No: 3529
Location: Ralph - Coventry (Retired)
Contact:

Re: Radiator Fan and Temp Gauge Problems

Post by CovKid »

I thought you said you'd already replaced sender. I have a gauge around here if its that.
Roller paint your camper at home: http://roller.epizy.com/55554/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; for MP4 download.

User avatar
DibDub
Registered user
Posts: 67
Joined: 12 Jan 2013, 15:47
80-90 Mem No: 11951
Location: South Devon

Re: Radiator Fan and Temp Gauge Problems

Post by DibDub »

CovKid wrote:I thought you said you'd already replaced sender. I have a gauge around here if its that.

I had my van in the garage a few months back for some body work and I asked them to fit the sender. I thought they had until a few days ago when I looked under the van and the sender was filthy, I've also found a the sender in my van (OEM Part Number: 025-906-041/A) Not sure if this is the correct one as there is (OEM 251 919 501 D). I've messaged brickwerks to see which one is for my van.
How much do you want for your gauge if the sender does not work?
1989 1.9 watercooled HighTop T25

User avatar
CovKid
Trader
Posts: 8411
Joined: 30 Apr 2006, 13:19
80-90 Mem No: 3529
Location: Ralph - Coventry (Retired)
Contact:

Re: Radiator Fan and Temp Gauge Problems

Post by CovKid »

Try the sender first then come back to me
Roller paint your camper at home: http://roller.epizy.com/55554/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; for MP4 download.

User avatar
DibDub
Registered user
Posts: 67
Joined: 12 Jan 2013, 15:47
80-90 Mem No: 11951
Location: South Devon

Re: Radiator Fan and Temp Gauge Problems

Post by DibDub »

kevtherev wrote:Yes.
And the O ring and the clip.

I've taken the old one out and it was a right state. I'm having trouble making the new one water tight, the old one had no sensor sealing ring on it. I have tried the new one with the sensor ring on the metal side, and also on the plastic side, and either way once I fill the tank it leaks from the sensor housing. I have used the retaining clip too but to no avail.
Where does the sensor sealing ring go?
Am I missing some thing here?
Any help would be gratefully appreciated.
1989 1.9 watercooled HighTop T25

User avatar
Oldiebut goodie
Registered user
Posts: 7481
Joined: 18 Apr 2008, 01:19
80-90 Mem No: 11135
Location: Eastern Angle

Re: Radiator Fan and Temp Gauge Problems

Post by Oldiebut goodie »

Take the old o-ring out of the hole?
1.6D 2019 VW T-Cross
200hp VW T6
1̶Y̶ ̶1̶9̶8̶7̶ ̶H̶i̶-̶t̶o̶p̶ ̶C̶a̶r̶a̶v̶e̶l̶l̶e̶
5̶0̶8̶d̶ ̶M̶e̶r̶c̶

User avatar
DibDub
Registered user
Posts: 67
Joined: 12 Jan 2013, 15:47
80-90 Mem No: 11951
Location: South Devon

Re: Radiator Fan and Temp Gauge Problems

Post by DibDub »

Oldiebut goodie wrote:Take the old o-ring out of the hole?
Aha, When I took the old sender out there was no o ring on it. I take it that would be my problem? The old o ring is still in there?

Hopefully I can retrieve it as I pushed the new one in quite far :cry:
1989 1.9 watercooled HighTop T25

Post Reply