which wires are these?

[GasDoc]

Real numpty question I'm embarrassed to say. I temporarily removed the two electrical connectors going to the left side of the radiator to fit the air hose from front bulkhead to AFM in (wires just above left radiator fan in this pic). Stupidly didn't see which way round they went. What do they connect to and does reversing the polarity matter? Not using the car today so thought I'd ask first. I'm assuming it's a temperature monitor or thermostat for the radiator. Could someone please educate me! Thanks

[nawarne]

Guess you mean wires going to thingy(?) with silvery/alloy base?

If so, I think it's the otter switch - which switches the rad fans on. My previous Chimaera had the otter in the base of the swirl pot - the location shown was for the later cars (post '99 on).

In which case polarity is not an issue.
Nick

[QBee]

nawarne said:

Guess you mean wires going to thingy(?) with silvery/alloy base?

If so, I think it's the otter switch - which switches the rad fans on. My previous Chimaera had the otter in the base of the swirl pot - the location shown was for the later cars (post '99 on).

In which case polarity is not an issue.
Nick

Wires just below the top hose?
Bob on, Nick - it's the otter switch and doesn't matter which way around it goes.

If ever you find your car overheating in traffic (ie temp gauge heading over 100 degrees), pop the bonnet and see if both fans are going.
If they are, then your cooling system may need the air removing, or a flush out by an expert.

If only one fan is going, then 90% certain it will be a bad connection in the loose wiring that is immediately under the radiator and powers the fans. Clean the connectors.

If neither fan is going, it could just be that both connectors are corroded/waterlogged.
Or it could be the otter switch has failed.

Grab a screwdriver or any other bit of metal, pull those two terminals half off, then bridge between them with the screwdriver (or pull the wires right off and join them together with a paper clip - you are bypassing the otter switch).
if both fans come on, you have a failed otter switch.
If one comes on, you have a failed otter switch AND dodgy connectors under the rad.
If neither comes on, go back to the connectors while the otter switch is bridged.
Or check your fuses.

[GasDoc]

Brilliant. Thanks both of you; especially for the fault tracing guide Anthony. Great stuff. Sun's out too. Time for a drive.