Fitting manual switch to cooling fan

Post by **togga** » 15 Aug 2006, 11:32

Hi. I'm a new member and pleased to have joined Club 80-90. I have an 88 1.7 diesel hi-top. I recently had the head replaced and she seems to be running hotter then she did before (about half way). The fan wasn't kicking in so I tested it, changed the senser, bled the system etc. Now the fan kicks in only when the needle is getting near the danger area. I want to put in a manual fan switch - mainly for peace of mind. How is it best to do this?

Post by **timber technician** » 15 Aug 2006, 11:53

We have done this.
Run a fused live supply to the live side of the wiring to the fan. Break this wire,you have fitted, with a switch and you have manual control and because the original wiring is still in place it will work with sensor as before.

Hope that helps
Dave and Margaret

Post by **togga** » 15 Aug 2006, 12:48

I failed to mention it's a 2 speed fan. Does this make any difference?

Post by **timber technician** » 15 Aug 2006, 14:41

As far as I know ours is only single speed.

You could just connect up to one speed either the high speed or the lower speed I don`t think this would cause any damage to the motor. Other folks may come along and verify that.

Dave & Margaret

Post by **R0B** » 15 Aug 2006, 16:10

when you say half way.is halfway on the led.that is where its meant to be...mine sits slightly to the left of the led....

about half way

Post by **Diamond Hell** » 15 Aug 2006, 17:28

You should swap out your temperature sensors on the engine before inserting a manual switch and get the engine tested for compression and leakdown, otherwise you're likely to be attacking the symptons, not the cause.

Post by **togga** » 16 Aug 2006, 12:22

All this was done when new head and gasket fitted. The needle sits just to the right of the led generally, on hills it'll creep up, on steep hills she seems to get really hot (past 3/4 on temp gauge) before fan kicks in. Should I be worried or is this about normal?

Post by **Don-Tucker** » 16 Aug 2006, 13:53

I would rather have what you have got ,with the gauge moving as the temp increases or decreases,mine moves about 1/3 up the gauge and stays there,makes me wonder if it's OK.
I would be well happy with that and would say that is quite normal.
Don

Post by **R0B** » 16 Aug 2006, 16:26

i would not be happy if that was happening with my van.

Should I be worried or is this about normal

Post by **Don-Tucker** » 16 Aug 2006, 17:00

togga wrote:All this was done when new head and gasket fitted. The needle sits just to the right of the led generally, on hills it'll creep up, on steep hills she seems to get really hot (past 3/4 on temp gauge) before fan kicks in. Should I be worried or is this about normal?

Having reread the post Suk.I agree with you,thats not right.
Don

Post by **togga** » 16 Aug 2006, 17:49

Any suggestions as to what might be causing this? As I seem to be scratching my head now having gone through all I can think of.

Post by **R0B** » 16 Aug 2006, 17:57

dont know about the 1.7 but my 1.6td has two temp senders.how many have you replaced...

Post by **togga** » 16 Aug 2006, 18:06

I've replaced 1 on the engine and 1 on the rad.

Post by **Arvi** » 18 Aug 2006, 14:13

if you are going to fit a switch best to use a relay in the circuit as well

Website · Post by **CovKid** » 18 Aug 2006, 18:04

Or a buzz bar the switch from a frankenstein movie. Hey that would suit our brummy friend 'Oldiguana' well, he's building a hybrid T his end - bits of this and bits of that. Just ribbin' you our kid