fans on all the time

[srdtvr]

week 3 into ownership
new alternator today with volts !
noticed on last outing a couple of days ago the cooling fans come on with the ignition - cold engine - and they stay on draining lots of volts even from new alternator on tick over.
fitted with overide switch which in either on or off position makes no difference
supposed to have had recent new otter switch
not had time for a proper look but any ideas
thanks

[J400GED]

Sounds like the otter switch has been by-passed and the 2 wires shorted together so the fans are constantly on. Depending on the year of your car, the switch is in different places. Mine is on the left hand side of the rad., others are at/near the bottom of the header tank.
As I say, this may be the reason for the fans being permanently on, but you also need to find out why the previous owner configured the fans to be like that. First guess would be overheating problems and if so what is the cause of the overheating?
Are you sure what you think is the over-ride switch is actually an over-ride switch? Where is it and what does it look like?
When I got my Chim, the fans didn't come on at all and it was the fan switch (otter switch) that was at fault. I fitted a 92/87 (92deg C on 87 deg C off) switch, Part No QH-XEFS20 (92/87) cost was £13.22 - 5 minutes to fit and 10 minutes to top up and bleed the cooling system.

Hope this helps,

Ged

[Tyre Tread]

Sometimes, as on mine, there is an override switch fitted.

The dashlight switch by my left knee that usually operates the instrument lights has been used as the fan overide.

Might be worth checking this first

[srdtvr]

Mines a 1993 and the otter switch is on the lower part of the header tank.
this is a new problem as it was working OK a week ago?
The over ride switch uses the washer lever on the column with a warning light on the dash.
I pulled the wires off the otter switch and the fans still ran so it points to an issue with the overide switch or wires I would think.

Thanks for your replys.

[darkcat]

srdtvr said:

Mines a 1993 and the otter switch is on the lower part of the header tank.
this is a new problem as it was working OK a week ago?
The over ride switch uses the washer lever on the column with a warning light on the dash.
I pulled the wires off the otter switch and the fans still ran so it points to an issue with the overide switch or wires I would think.

Thanks for your replys.

Mines a 96 and in the same place...

Arent the fans controlled by a relay in the passenger foot well (connected to the otter switch)??

Worth a look as it could be stuck on.

[srdtvr]

thanks will check it out
can anyone scan a drawing showing fan circuit I'm still waiting for my "bible" to arrive
that would help I think
use [e-mail] or post it on here
Cheers