Overheating, suspect fan issues.
Overheating, suspect fan issues.
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Discussion

Garlick

Original Poster:

40,601 posts

270 months

Tuesday 29th May 2012
quotequote all
Tonight on the way home I was in slow moving traffic, and as we all know, it was hot. I noticed the revs were staying a little higher than normal and an accidental glance at the temp gauge shown high temperatures.

I pulled over and allowed the engine to cool to a more normal level. Coolant was fine, but fans definitely not coming in. Once cool I drove the last (clear) mile home and the fresh air kept the temps normal and got it safely into my garage.

So, I've heard of a few possible causes through friends but I'm a luddite. Could someone tell me (fairly simply) what to look for to fix/ investigate?

I suppose I should be pleased it didn't do this en route to Le Mans. Better to get it sorted now smile

Thank you.

2 sMoKiN bArReLs

32,038 posts

265 months

Tuesday 29th May 2012
quotequote all
Both fans? First point of call is to short out the otter switch. If fans works, faulty switch. (With ignition on)


Garlick

Original Poster:

40,601 posts

270 months

Tuesday 29th May 2012
quotequote all
Yeah both. Normally I leave the ignition on (but engine off) for a bit after a hot drive to ket the fans do their thing. Tonight, no fans. I assume I was in traffic without too.

So, this otter switch......?

2 sMoKiN bArReLs

32,038 posts

265 months

Tuesday 29th May 2012
quotequote all
Obviously check the fuses too. Does the horn work? (depending on your model this is often a clue to blown fuse.

Garlick

Original Poster:

40,601 posts

270 months

Tuesday 29th May 2012
quotequote all
Horn works, on the way home I wanted a clear run and a dawdling driver got a toot for not noticing the green light

2 sMoKiN bArReLs

32,038 posts

265 months

Tuesday 29th May 2012
quotequote all
My money's on the switch that turns the fans on. (One of mine was forever giving up & I shorted it out many a time)


2 sMoKiN bArReLs

32,038 posts

265 months

Tuesday 29th May 2012
quotequote all
Switch is either bottom of swirl tank, or near the alternator.

BliarOut

72,863 posts

269 months

Tuesday 29th May 2012
quotequote all
Short piece of wire across the connectors is a good test for a faulty otter switch.

2 sMoKiN bArReLs

32,038 posts

265 months

Tuesday 29th May 2012
quotequote all
BliarOut said:
Short piece of wire across the connectors is a good test for a faulty otter switch.
yes I used to do this regularly to get me home!

Garlick

Original Poster:

40,601 posts

270 months

Tuesday 29th May 2012
quotequote all
Thank you. Will take a look this weekend.

haircutmike

22,511 posts

234 months

Wednesday 30th May 2012
quotequote all
Paul, yours is a later car so will probably have the otter switch in the radiator, just below the top hose, adjacent to the air intake hose that leads to the afm.

Pull off the two spade connectors and join em together with a paperclip, (I'm sure you have one of those!) with ignition on and they should work.

If not, check fuses and then seek out the two electrical connectors behind the rad that serve the fans. Pull them apart, spray with contact cleaner and replace.

2 sMoKiN bArReLs

32,038 posts

265 months

Wednesday 30th May 2012
quotequote all
haircutmike said:
Paul, yours is a later car so will probably have the otter switch in the radiator, just below the top hose, adjacent to the air intake hose that leads to the afm.
hehe so that's three places you can now look for it. Not sure what year they moved it again, but my 2000 500 had it in the block.

Anyhoo, good luck thumbup let us know how you get on. (and I did chuckle at your "accidental glance at the temperature gauge"...perhaps I'm paranoid, but I check temperature & oil gauges feverishly!)

David Beer

3,982 posts

297 months

Wednesday 30th May 2012
quotequote all
The otter can only be in two places rad or swirl pot, not on the block unless someone has done a mod of course which really is unusual !!!

scotty_d

6,795 posts

224 months

Wednesday 30th May 2012
quotequote all
Dave's Adjustable otter is the way to go. ^^^^^^^^^^ smile Great bit of kit

Garlick

Original Poster:

40,601 posts

270 months

Wednesday 30th May 2012
quotequote all
2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:
(and I did chuckle at your "accidental glance at the temperature gauge"...perhaps I'm paranoid, but I check temperature & oil gauges feverishly!)
I usually do too, but Richmond was full of under-dressed ladies last night and I was distracted by the scenery.

Hey, look at me in my noisy car ladies.....oh, hang on that's running a bit warm.

Garlick

Original Poster:

40,601 posts

270 months

Wednesday 30th May 2012
quotequote all
haircutmike said:
Paul, yours is a later car so will probably have the otter switch in the radiator, just below the top hose, adjacent to the air intake hose that leads to the afm.

Pull off the two spade connectors and join em together with a paperclip, (I'm sure you have one of those!) with ignition on and they should work.

If not, check fuses and then seek out the two electrical connectors behind the rad that serve the fans. Pull them apart, spray with contact cleaner and replace.
Thanks. If I stare at it and will it to fix itself will that work hehe

I will do my very best, much obliged.

2 sMoKiN bArReLs

32,038 posts

265 months

Wednesday 30th May 2012
quotequote all
David Beer said:
The otter can only be in two places rad or swirl pot, not on the block unless someone has done a mod of course which really is unusual !!!
Coolio....my memory fades over the mist of time! (mind you, in a TVR it's lucky to find the same thing in the same place!)


2 sMoKiN bArReLs

32,038 posts

265 months

Thursday 28th June 2012
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So, what was it?

SILICONEKID340HP

14,997 posts

261 months

Thursday 28th June 2012
quotequote all
Racetech sell an otter switch which clicks the fans in at a lower temperature..

AJV8

526 posts

176 months

Friday 29th June 2012
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My switch at the bottom of the swirl pot is kaput. Does anyone know a part number or have a link to what i need to get to replace this ?

AJ