Cooling Fan Not Coming On - How To Check/fix?

[mmatthej1 1]

The temperature gauge on my sons 1.8 STDT crept up to the high (red) end yesterday, while he was sitting in traffic - leads me to wonder if fan is coming on as it should.

 

Is there any easy way to check fan operation?

 

Suppose it would be good to first check that fan actually works, maybe by making a direct power connection to check that it will spin - if that works ok, then maybe problem might be with sensor/sender in water system but I'm not sure where this is located - anyone guide me, please?

[welshpug 1,666]

Theres a thermoswitch in the radiator under the top hose connection, find the live terminal and bridge to one of the other two pins

 

afaik with the twin fan yours should have you will need the ignition on to carry out tests.

[mmatthej1 1]

Ah, thanks for the guidance - will have a look at this ASAP, now that Summer might be here!

[mmatthej1 1]

Just looked around and found a blown 30-amp fuse in the set positioned in the engine bay - have obviously now replaced it and hope it's the solution!

 

(I can't find any schematic in handbook or Haynes manual, to define which fuse relates to which circuit in the engine bay fusebox - it was the one at the top right, as you view the fusebox from front of car - does anyone have a schematic which would confirm which-is-which fuse? Be nice to know!)

[jackherer 543]

Follow the wire from the plug directly below the fuse in question, chances are you'll find it leads to the fan loom which is a small self contained wiring harness that only deals with the fan so is very easy to figure out in isolation.

 

Edit: I just noticed Welshpug's post that says you have the twin fan setup so the loom is a bit more complex and utilises relays but still shouldn't be too hard to work out.

Edited July 13, 2014 by jackherer

[mmatthej1 1]

Oh, back up here, please! What is meant by 'twin fan set-up'?

 

Does it mean that I have literally two fans (yes, I do!) or is it to do with 2-speeds for the fans?

[jackherer 543]

It does mean literally two fans are fitted side by side so it sounds like you have the more complex setup. It is also dual speed and this is achieved by powering the fans in series for low speed and parallel for high speed via the relays.

[mmatthej1 1]

Thanks for that clarification!