Cooling Fans not operating on Chimaera

[donny driver]

Hi

Car overheating, presumably due to fans not cutting in - can anyone advise how to resolve please? Model is a 4.0 '96 Chimp

Many thanks

[so called]

Assuming that the fan is not kicking in then check fuse and if OK try shorting out thermostat to see if fan comes on.
It sounds like you need a new thermostat.

[so called]

Sorry, have to ask, have you checked your coolanr level ?

[earlyriser]

so called said:

It sounds like you need a new thermostat.

Either that (which is pretty cheap) or a new temp sensor. Don't know if its the same as on the sp6. If so its also a £10 part and 30 min job.

[glow worm]

Try shorting out you otter switch (which is on your radiator or in your header tank, depending up on age of car), this will switch your fans on all the time your ignition is on( I used a bit of garden wire), the otter switch only feeds the relay so not 30 amp circuit that your fans or on. If this doesn't work replace your 30 amp fuse.
What do you mean by overheating, boiling i.e. steam coming out...or just temp is over 95 , is only when you stopped with no air flow??

Edited by glow worm on Sunday 3rd June 17:32

[Jasper Gilder]

If it isn't the otter switch and if it's like a Griff- which I suspect - both fans work off one 40 amp fuse which isn't really up to the job

The trick is to rewire the fans onto separate fuses - no more problems

[donny driver]

Ok thanks guys. Its boiling over as temperature keeps rising above 95 when stationary. Coolant level was ok. Few more questions though.

1. There is a switch on the header tank which I assume is the otter switch. Ques. Do I short out the switch itself or pull of the wiring and short the connectors out? Assume if the fans come on then its the fuse. If so where is the fuse located?

2. How do I short out the thermostat, is this the same as shorting out the otter switch?

3. If fans operate when otter switch shorted and fuse ok can the problem be as simple as changing the thermostat? Surely that doesn't affect the fans?

Sory guys, bit new to all this.

[glow worm]

Short it out the otter switch at the header tank between the two connectors, with the wires still connected...then switch on ignition ...fans should start...If not then it might be the fuse...which is behind the panel in the passenger seat foot well...pull back carpeted cover and its behind (if my memory correct)...your handbook should tell you which fuse it is....Good luck

Is it pre '98 Chim?

Your thermostat should NOT affect the fans running, should only control water going into your radiator ( as I understand it).



If it is your otter switch, get one of the Leven ones...switctes on earlier ...stays on longer and cools your engine a lot better in traffic than the TVR one.

Edited by glow worm on Sunday 3rd June 19:26

[bigdods]

On my 97 model the otter is at the bottom of the swirl tank, you can see the two wire connector at the bottom, its on the drivers side of the engine bay.

Pull the connector off, stick someting like a paperclip into it to short both sides together - with the ignition off !. Then turn on ignition, if fans are ok they will run continuously. In the event of failure this is the limp home method.

If the shorting out works, buy a new otter from tvrcarparts, about £20. Fit yourself by unbolting old one and quickly bolting new one in before all the coolant runs out.

I did mine a few weeks back after similar symptoms.

Make sure you have a copy of the bible, it will answer most questions like this :-)

[donny driver]

Thanks to everyone. Yep, it was the fuse, proved and replaced within 10 mins. I hope any future probs are as easy to resolve.

Cheers