Discussion
Its not the normal 'it doesn't work' or 'the engine is overheating', but I have had my Griff 5 days now and its starting to annoy me.
When the fans cut in at about 80°C, there is a huge drop of power to the electrical system and the lights go dim (if they are on), the radio goes funny, and more worringly the engine does not seem to perform as it should. In fact if I am in mid-acceleration when they cut in, there is a jolt as the power cuts quite dramatically.
On the motorway when the temperature stays down the car drives like a dream, its just when travelling slower or in a bit of traffic, but it doesn't need much.
Is this a common problem? I have seen the twin-speed fan controller from Mod-Wise that wires directly to the starter motor - is this the best solution ??
TIA,
SOOTY
When the fans cut in at about 80°C, there is a huge drop of power to the electrical system and the lights go dim (if they are on), the radio goes funny, and more worringly the engine does not seem to perform as it should. In fact if I am in mid-acceleration when they cut in, there is a jolt as the power cuts quite dramatically.
On the motorway when the temperature stays down the car drives like a dream, its just when travelling slower or in a bit of traffic, but it doesn't need much.
Is this a common problem? I have seen the twin-speed fan controller from Mod-Wise that wires directly to the starter motor - is this the best solution ??
TIA,
SOOTY
Definitely doesn't sound right. Under normal driving I rarely notice the fans coming on. At tick-over there is slightly more noise and a flow of warm air over the top of the widscreen if you are roofless.
Your problem may point to an alternator or battery problem. What does the voltmeter show - should be about 13.5V under normal running. Does it drop when the fans come on?
Your problem may point to an alternator or battery problem. What does the voltmeter show - should be about 13.5V under normal running. Does it drop when the fans come on?
Sounds like you need to clean your earths as a first point of call.
Mine used to do something similar (not as bad as yours though) and cleaning helped alot.
You find a bunch of black wired bolted to the chassis on the drivers side down near the anti roll bar or on the big bolt that is visible through the 'mouth' on the left hand side... Bible has a load of info on this..
Mine used to do something similar (not as bad as yours though) and cleaning helped alot.
You find a bunch of black wired bolted to the chassis on the drivers side down near the anti roll bar or on the big bolt that is visible through the 'mouth' on the left hand side... Bible has a load of info on this..
Mine does this also, though it sound like yours is worse. I only notice it when crawling in traffic.
The fans do pull a lot of current on start up, hence the big fuses (make sure you have some spares). I looked at replacing a the relays with one having a built-in time delay £35 from RS (didn’t do it in the end) though the mod-wise kit you mention should also do the trick. The earth thing may also be worth a try, I haven’t done that either.
Most of the time I switch the fans on constant when it traffic any way the sudden prompted by a hiccup.
Cheers,
Simon.
The fans do pull a lot of current on start up, hence the big fuses (make sure you have some spares). I looked at replacing a the relays with one having a built-in time delay £35 from RS (didn’t do it in the end) though the mod-wise kit you mention should also do the trick. The earth thing may also be worth a try, I haven’t done that either.
Most of the time I switch the fans on constant when it traffic any way the sudden prompted by a hiccup.
Cheers,
Simon.
bogbeast said:
Sounds like you need to clean your earths as a first point of call.
Mine used to do something similar (not as bad as yours though) and cleaning helped alot.
You find a bunch of black wired bolted to the chassis on the drivers side down near the anti roll bar or on the big bolt that is visible through the 'mouth' on the left hand side... Bible has a load of info on this..
I'd go with this and check your earths and also the Fan connections as these tend to corrode as they get caked in water coming through the mouth.
Eathing points are behind the drivers wheel on the chassis, one in the mouth bolting the body to chassis, there are also two under the centre console behing where the door opening handles are.
You fans shouldnt realy come on a 80 either more around 90 so your guage might be out or previous owner may have changed something here.
BB
BB
BB
Thanks - I'll try the earths then.
The voltmeter runs at about 13.5v normally so no probs there, but it drops into the red to about 11v when the fans kick in.
Maybe the temp gauge is reading incorrectly, but they do seem to come on early, ie. not very long after I slow down to town driving speeds and way before I hit traffic.
The voltmeter runs at about 13.5v normally so no probs there, but it drops into the red to about 11v when the fans kick in.
Maybe the temp gauge is reading incorrectly, but they do seem to come on early, ie. not very long after I slow down to town driving speeds and way before I hit traffic.
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