Fan/Otter Switch

[Lewis's Friend]

I just got stuck at the side of the road with my temperature spiraling dramatically as I had no fans. I checked fuses and swapped relays and eventually bridged out the fan switch near the swirl pot which brought them on permanently and allowed me to get home.

I believe I have a fan switch used in the Chimeras (my car is a S3 with ACT coolant bits).

My question is this (as I am a bit ignorant). Do fan switches fail or could it be something else I have not considered? And if so I believe the switch is from a Fiesta, and should run between 87&92 degrees. Is this right?

Thanks

[phillpot]

IF bridging it out got the fans running sounds to me like that's the problem


If it happens again just drive faster, fan is only effective at low speed or when stationary

[QBee]

Mine went on my Chimaera last summer. They go quite readily. If your fans came on when you cut the otter switch out of the circuit, then it's the problem. Plenty of choice at the motor factors. Costs about £12. They are Ford, but the factor will have a conversion chart. I went for on at 92, off at 85. I also had to buy a big socket to remove and replace, somewhere between 27 and 30mm. But mine is a late Chim, with the otter switch in the radiator.

[Lewis's Friend]

Thanks for the replies. Does anyone know what the normal switching range is for one of these by any chance?

As for speeding up, I tried it but a bit too late I think. She wasn't happy and I was worried about playing games in case it went pop!

[QBee]

Lewis's Friend said:

Thanks for the replies. Does anyone know what the normal switching range is for one of these by any chance?

As for speeding up, I tried it but a bit too late I think. She wasn't happy and I was worried about playing games in case it went pop!

Per the Griff and Chim bible, on 92, off 87, but you need an S expert. I believe they used to be higher (96/92), but that was with an 89 degree thermostat. Personally I would get the fans starting above normal 60 mph driving temps, but below town traffic temps.

[moffspeed]

They definitely do fail - if there is still a streak of cumulus nimbus above Le Mans then this is probably a legacy of my visit there in the S a couple of years ago.

I think the switch was the same as those fitted to Mk3 Escorts across the range - in which case a tenner at your local motor factor or £7 on ebay.

Incidentally Steve Heath talks about S's (V8 or otherwise) running at about 90 deg C in normal non-fan conditions - even in today's heat I was running at a max of about 75 - what's your experience ?

[Kitchski]

On the same subject (and I admit I haven't even begun to search yet) but does anyone know what type is fitted to the S1? I've got the sender in the top hose type arrangement. It was held in by a bridge with two screw clamps, but there is actually a thread in the boss welded into the metal pipe.

Anyone?

[mk1fan]

moffspeed said:

even in today's heat I was running at a max of about 75

I'd say your dial is wrong

[DamianS3]

Kitchski said:

On the same subject (and I admit I haven't even begun to search yet) but does anyone know what type is fitted to the S1? I've got the sender in the top hose type arrangement. It was held in by a bridge with two screw clamps, but there is actually a thread in the boss welded into the metal pipe.

Anyone?

Iirc the act ss top hose should take a chim otter it screws in. However on my s3 the otter just swapped straight over from the steel hard pipe also iirc it's a metro sensor on mine not sure of the temp tbh.

Anyway it's not there on mine as we have removed that part of the cooling system for the new engine the ecu is now running the fans.

Anyhoo perhaps s1 used a different sensor to the later cars and chims ?

Damian

[Kitchski]

DamianS3 said:

Kitchski said:

On the same subject (and I admit I haven't even begun to search yet) but does anyone know what type is fitted to the S1? I've got the sender in the top hose type arrangement. It was held in by a bridge with two screw clamps, but there is actually a thread in the boss welded into the metal pipe.

Anyone?

Iirc the act ss top hose should take a chim otter it screws in. However on my s3 the otter just swapped straight over from the steel hard pipe also iirc it's a metro sensor on mine not sure of the temp tbh.

Anyway it's not there on mine as we have removed that part of the cooling system for the new engine the ecu is now running the fans.

Anyhoo perhaps s1 used a different sensor to the later cars and chims ?

Damian

It definitely wasn't a Chim sensor. The sensor itself was smooth and just pressed into a rubber grommet before a clamp went over the top. I did think there were some threads in the steel pipe though. It's an '89 2.8

[ChrisGadd]

Kitchski said:

It definitely wasn't a Chim sensor. The sensor itself was smooth and just pressed into a rubber grommet before a clamp went over the top. I did think there were some threads in the steel pipe though. It's an '89 2.8

I had a Reliant Scimitar GTC which had the 2.8 engine with a push fit Otter switch. Graham Walker was the main dealer for Scimitar parts this might help http://www.grahamwalkerparts.co.uk/SE6b%20GTC%20Pa...

[Scoobimax]

I changed my otter switch last year when overhauling the cooling system generaly - got it off amazon cheaper than any local factor. Think they're quite generic and mine definitely fitted a Renault 5 too. Mine is the screw in type. I also fitted and over-ride switch for when I get twitchy in queuing traffic - prevention is better than cure ;-)

[Kitchski]

ChrisGadd said:

Kitchski said:

It definitely wasn't a Chim sensor. The sensor itself was smooth and just pressed into a rubber grommet before a clamp went over the top. I did think there were some threads in the steel pipe though. It's an '89 2.8

I had a Reliant Scimitar GTC which had the 2.8 engine with a push fit Otter switch. Graham Walker was the main dealer for Scimitar parts this might help http://www.grahamwalkerparts.co.uk/SE6b%20GTC%20Pa...

That's the baby! Cheers!