Advice - auto-electrician in SW London for an E type

[Pjj]

Would be grateful for any suggestions to help with the following.

I have recently acquired a series 2 convertible from a friend up North which has been a complete joy and is generally in great shape. However on the hot Saturday afternoon yesterday the thermostat seemed to have packed up and the fans were not kicking in with a resultant overheating problem.

The RAC recovered to my storage garage in SW London. I think it is likely a pretty easy job but not sure who I would call upon in London. There are some clear options out of town or I can return it up North but a lot of hassle for hopefully a pretty quick job

As I said grateful for any reliable suggestions in the South West London area who can be trusted.

[NormanD]

OK I know my man is not close to SW London but he is not to far away.

Try Tom at TL Jaguar on 0118-973-7779 he is just passed Camberley along the A30

He knows E-Types like the back of his hand as well as more modern Jags

[Pjj]

Many thanks I may have found someone nearer but useful to know anyway.

The RAC guy was a young chap and terrified of touching the car

[piquet]

southern classics are in sunbury i've used them for years on my e type, they do great quality work and always stand by what they've done

assuming the s2 set up is the same as the s1 it sounds like either your otter switch has gone in the header tank ( with the engine switched on just short it out, it should start up the fans) or the fans themselves have lost power

the otter switches are pretty famous for failing, i know lost of people who have an emergency over ride switch under the dashboard in case the temp is getting too hot and the fans haven't switched on, it's easy to do, all the fans need is an earth to fire them up, just attach the wire to the fan side of the otter switch or in an emergency anything to short it out.

don't worry about the rac guy being scared, generally the recovery services like to sub contract out all the work because the cars are valuable

pk

[a8hex]

I use an E-Type otter switch to drive the fan on my XK150. I had problems with them failing and also with the plate on the repro part bending. Someone on Jag-Lovers recommended I swapped it for a replacement from Cool Cats in New York. They make an adapter plate that allows modern switches to be fitted. It was a nice solid brass plate with a thermoswitch fitted. Wasn't too expensive either.

[tr7v8]

The main problem is that most use the Otter switch to control the fan direct & these fans can pull in excess of 15Amps which soon kills the switch. Use the Otter switch to control a relay & the relay to handle the fan & they last virtually forever.

[Pjj]

Thanks for all the help> I will certainly look up Southern Classics I had a look at their website and they look just the job. A mechanic friend has ahd a look and has found the problem in that it was just a dodgy fuse. When we replaced the fuse the choke light came back on and the fans kicked in. Do you know what else that fuse feeds?