How to test rad fans?

[BILLY N/A]

Can anyone explain the easyest way to test my dadiator fans ? Actual temp has never gone above 90 ( Ive never let it just sit there till it just got hotter and hotter incase the fans did not come on ! ). there must be a way of shorting the circuit surely ?
car is a 1990 n/a
Cheers

[rjwise]

With my S3 you have to reach under the car and opposite the fans there is an electrical connection (near the driver's side wheel arch) - you should connect both points using a piece of wire and the fans should come on. The S3 normally runs just over 90 and the fans only come on when the needle reaches about 3/4 the way round the dial.

>> Edited by rjwise on Tuesday 29th October 10:38

[bhermans]

On my 89 N/A, the fans start when I activate the air conditionning to full cold position. One year ago, one fan was not working and the tell tale on the dash board was lighting. Hope this help.

Ben

[BILLY N/A]

thanks for the help
will try this when/if it stops raining !!!!
cheers

[cnh1990]

You guys are getting good, pretty soon I can just read the posts and gather info from you guys. I have been trying to get other 4 cyl people to frequent this site more and they have started to show up. These guys are very good and will be great for us 4 cyl. people. I lot of us has not yet had the opportunity to dismantle a V8 yet as many are still under warranty or perhaps too new for the owners to do their own work. Keep up the relevant posts and we will attract more techies to this site. I have been trying to post a lot to keep this site rolling so a few more visitors will frequent it. We need to keep the techies like Robert (Swedish Surgeon)checking on this site often. He is by profession a Volvo mechanic and has a through understanding of the auto repair process. After all, low postings mean less people to check the site to chime in on their own experiences. So you must excuse me if I seem to post a lot, as time goes by I will take a lessor profile as more people contribute to share their experiences.
Calvin 90 SE

[88Esprit]

I jumper the thermal otter switch on my 88 to test and see if they are working.

[sydneyse]

My fans come on at 94 degrees. Also, you can drive the car up pn ramps/jack the front and connect 12V directly to the fans.

[lotusguy]

Hi,

As has already been stated, the best way to see if the fans work is to turn on the AC. This will energize the fans.

The best way to see if the cooling circuit works is to jump the connectors to the 'Otter' switch. Of course, be sure to check the spade fuses too and the relays...Jim '85TE