Alfa 164 - problems with fan

[alfaman]

Hello all -

The radiator fan on my '93 164 TS is not cutting in at all when the temp. increases (it used to cut in at 70 deg C )- so the car runs very hot in traffic.

I would welcome any advice on what might cause this : thermostat ? fuses ? or soemthing else ? - and how I might diagnose and fix the problem.

many thanks

David

[Avocet]

70 degrees is a very low temperature for it to cut in. I don't exactly know what the 2 litre should cut in at but I'd guess it would be at least 90 - probably 95. I'd be inclined to let it tick over until about 100 on the gauge to see if it cuts in. If it doesn't, or if the coolant starts bubbling, stop the engine. I'm sure it will have a fuse so check all the fuses in the fusebox. It might also have a relay. There's always the possibility that the temperature sender and / or gauge is wrong so you need to be careful trying the tickover test! Finally, on the v6 there are several sensors screwed into the thermostat housing (where the top radiator hose joins the engine) If the 2 litre has a similar arrangement, it's worth checking all the wires round there to see if any are broken or have come off their connectors. Also worth giving them a bit of a clean with WD40 or similar as they can sometimes corrode. If you have access to a miltimeter, you could also check for voltage at the fan connector itself. With the engine cold (and not running) just try turning the fan blades by hand. They should turn freely. If they're stiff to turn, the fan might be goosed.

[fasterpussycat]

Mine cuts in at 90. Does your go higher than this without cutting in?
James

[scobbo]

On my old 2 litre the fan would cut in at 90' too. It did devlop an over heating problem which was down to a 70p electrical connector in the fan supply wire which runs along the bottom of the radiator. There was no doubt when it got too hot. The needle swung off the guage and the red light came on!

[alfaman]

Thanks for the replies.

Mine used to cut in around 75 ish - but now doesnt cut in at all - so may be one of the issues / faults described - I hope its a cheap fix

[jimmystratos]

Have you tried [url]www.digest.net/alfa/FAQ/164/bin/dcforum/dcboard.cgi?az=list&forum=DCForumID2&conf=DCConfID2[/url]

[jimmystratos]

Another thought - I think there's a 40A fuse somewhere that gets implicated in this. Check the archives at the forum I pointed to above.