ajones12 0 Posted February 16, 2006 I am slowly getting to grips with rebuilding the engine bay in my 'H' plate 1.9 Gti following a clutch change. Many thanks to all who offered advice on the throttle body hoses. During the rebuild I noticed there was a spade connector towards the bottom of the radiator on the left hand side when viewed from the front with nothing connected to it. Question is - should there be and if so what?? Also is there a way of checking whether the two cooling fans are in place or is it a case taking the radiator off to see? Here's a picture of it! Thanks in advance. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hilgie 16 2 Cars Posted February 16, 2006 It's the switch that triggers the fan(s). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ajones12 0 Posted February 16, 2006 Ok - thanks. I think I need to whip the rad off to see if the fans are in front of it. Is it obvious where it connects onto the fan? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rob_the_Sparky 10 Posted February 16, 2006 It's the switch that triggers the fan(s). Not so hasty, the switch for the fans (at least on UK cars) is under the top hose but in this location there is often a blanking plate. It could be someone has put a spare thermoswitch in here to block the second position (normally comes with a cover but have seen them without). Rob Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
maturin23 10 Posted February 16, 2006 UK non-a/c GTI's came with one fan as standard (although the cowling has space for two) - only the diesel and a/c fitted cars had two. One fan is enough to keep temps down if the rest of the cooling system is working properly - if you need two then you're compensating for a problem elsewhere. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jackherer 543 Posted February 16, 2006 Not so hasty, the switch for the fans (at least on UK cars) is under the top hose but in this location there is often a blanking plate. It could be someone has put a spare thermoswitch in here to block the second position (normally comes with a cover but have seen them without). Rob thats exactly what I was thinking, if you have a similar sensor on the other side of the rad with something connected then (if the fans definately work...) I think you can safely ignore this one. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hilgie 16 2 Cars Posted February 16, 2006 Ah....we've had them on both positions. Older 205s have it as in the above picture, the later ones have it under the top hose like jackherer says. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ajones12 0 Posted February 16, 2006 Ah....we've had them on both positions. Older 205s have it as in the above picture, the later ones have it under the top hose like jackherer says. To be honest I've never had the car running long enough for the fan to kick in! I will have a look at the other side tonight to see if there is a connector and under the top hose. Thanks for your help. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jackherer 543 Posted February 16, 2006 Ah....we've had them on both positions. Older 205s have it as in the above picture, the later ones have it under the top hose like jackherer says. he says its an "H plate" which, in the UK, means it was sold in the second half of 1990 or the first part of 1991. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ajones12 0 Posted February 16, 2006 he says its an "H plate" which, in the UK, means it was sold in the second half of 1990 or the first part of 1991. It was the first part of 1991. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jonmurgie 2 Posted February 16, 2006 I have another fan switch on that side of the rad... I fitted it as the original plastic bung bust at a trackday and it's all I had handy Could be something as simple as that though.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Daz_C 8 1 Cars Posted February 16, 2006 Ah....we've had them on both positions. Older 205s have it as in the above picture, the later ones have it under the top hose like jackherer says. I agree. Mine was at the bottom of the Rad on my B plate 205. English model. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ajones12 0 Posted February 16, 2006 Presumably I will be able to see the outline of a fan through the radiator? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Daz_C 8 1 Cars Posted February 16, 2006 Presumably I will be able to see the outline of a fan through the radiator? Just take off the front grill and you can see the fan(s) from there. The wiring from the fan will go toward the passenger side headlight. It is indirectly connected to a Rheostat (silver cylindrical piece of metal with a plug on one end) this is where the wiring for the fan switch off the radiator connects too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rob_the_Sparky 10 Posted February 16, 2006 Just take off the front grill and you can see the fan(s) from there. The wiring from the fan will go toward the passenger side headlight. It is indirectly connected to a Rheostat (silver cylindrical piece of metal with a plug on one end) this is where the wiring for the fan switch off the radiator connects too. I know it is pedantic but it isn't a rheostat, just a large resistor... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Daz_C 8 1 Cars Posted February 16, 2006 Rightly Corrected Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jim205GTI 3 Posted February 17, 2006 As i had my grill off earlier i had a look and in the cowling side which is closest to the driver i believe is mounted the air oil cooler??? looks like a mini rad with two pipes going to the oil filter location ...am i right in my guess? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites