Confirmation Of Cooling Problem Please?

[scottbarton 34 1 Cars]

Evening all

Just looking for confirmation of the diagnosis I have made on my Phase 2 1.9 GTi

 

I have noticed when sitting in slow moving traffic, or when i leave her sitting idling for a long time the coolant temp needle starts to approach the red. It gets to within one 'notch' of the red before the fan kicks in, which then takes it down a notch or two.

All the time i am driving the needle sits happy on less than half way.

 

Am i right in thinking that the fan should be dual speed?

Looking through this fantastic forum i think i have found my answer in that there is a switch mounted on the side of the rad that could need replacing.

Found this on eBay.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170637465726&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_3861wt_905

 

Sound about right?

[GLPoomobile 958]

all you've managed to confirm is that your car is working as it should. Now stop worrying and drive the bloody thing

Edited May 20, 2011 by GLPoomobile

[large 33]

You should have a test plug on the loom for the fan. Its a 3 pin plug with nothing going to it.

 

If you link the middle pin to one of the other ones the fan should cut in (in fast speed or slow) from the middle to the other side will give you the other speed.

 

This will tell you if the low speed resistor is ok.

 

IIRC you can get 2 types of thermostat switch, the one like you have shown and I think the later cars have a different plug (3 pins in a row).

 

I would have a look to see what type you have, having a later car.

[Daz_C 8 1 Cars]

You should have a test plug on the loom for the fan. Its a 3 pin plug with nothing going to it.

 

If you link the middle pin to one of the other ones the fan should cut in (in fast speed or slow) from the middle to the other side will give you the other speed.

 

 

I've owned a 205 for 20yrs and always wondered what that plug was for ..................... every day is a school day

[dave205 19]

I've owned a 205 for 20yrs and always wondered what that plug was for ..................... every day is a school day

 

Likewise, Ive had 12 205's and never knew what that was!

[scottbarton 34 1 Cars]

Excellent, cheers chaps...will have a look at the test plug thing.

:-)

[scottbarton 34 1 Cars]

Well checked the test plug and the fan is indeed dual speed but it is only coming on at high speed/high temp.

Have bought the new radiator temperature sensor and will fit next weekend. Hopefully that will be that little problem solved!

 

Thanks for the help all.

[GLPoomobile 958]

I'm only 99% sure that what I'm about to say is correct, as it's late and my brain is not working....

 

I think your problem will be with the resistor (metal cylinder that gets very hot, possibly clipped to the top of the radiator or in that general area. Don't get it confused with the headlight main beam resister clipped under the passenger headlight). If the resistor dies (or there's a dodgy connection) it'll take out your slow speed fan. You can get around this by bridging the connection to bypass the resistor, but this means that when you reach the temp that would normally kick in the low speed, your fan will actually come on t high speed. That's not a bad thing though.

[scottbarton 34 1 Cars]

Excellent, thanks for that. Mine is not atached to the rad, just sitting on top of it. I cleaned it all up last week, and checked terminals etc. Will bridge it out when i get home this evening. Is it simply a 2 pin plug to bridge?