Griffith radiator fans permanently on - why?
Discussion
Hi everyone!
This is my first posting, unfortunately I have a "cooling" problem on my '99 Griff 500, so any advice would be welcome.
I've had the car for a few years, however recently I've noticed that as soon as I switch on the ignition, both fans start running. They run with the engine on, and continue until I switch the engine off. Now winter is approaching, the temp stays around an indicated 70-75 deg even when warmed up!
I've tried disconnecting what I beleive to be the temperature sensor lead (at front of engine, behind the distributor and near to the oil filler) to check if the sensor is faulty, but this does not make any difference.
I guess there is a short circuit somehere in the elctrics, but can't think of where to start looking. Any idea's anyone?
This is my first posting, unfortunately I have a "cooling" problem on my '99 Griff 500, so any advice would be welcome.
I've had the car for a few years, however recently I've noticed that as soon as I switch on the ignition, both fans start running. They run with the engine on, and continue until I switch the engine off. Now winter is approaching, the temp stays around an indicated 70-75 deg even when warmed up!
I've tried disconnecting what I beleive to be the temperature sensor lead (at front of engine, behind the distributor and near to the oil filler) to check if the sensor is faulty, but this does not make any difference.
I guess there is a short circuit somehere in the elctrics, but can't think of where to start looking. Any idea's anyone?
Johno said:
HRG. said:
^^^ Which is located at the base of the swirl pot, the tall ally tube with the large slotted brass plug in the top.
Unless it's located in the radiator below the top hose on the near side . . . later cars.
Probably a faulty Otter switch as mentioned above but worth checking if the previous owner(s) have installed another switch on the dash to bypass the otter switch if it fails open circuit which it usually does. A common mod is to use the switch below the steering column formerly used to switch on the instrument lights.
Edited by Loubaruch on Monday 16th November 21:33
Loubaruch said:
Probably a faulty Otter switch as mentioned above but worth checking if the previous owner(s) have installed another switch on the dash to bypass the otter switch if it fails open circuit which it usually does. A common mod is to use the switch below the steering column formerly used to switch on the instrument lights.
Yes my guess would be this,knocked mine when getting into the car and eventually realised what was happening....its a common mod to doEdited by Loubaruch on Monday 16th November 21:33
ETA..... mind you since you have had the car a few years i would think this would have been noticed by now....... so changed my mind,otter switch.
Edited by rigga on Monday 16th November 22:11
Thanks for the advice.
The "temp sensor" I understood was the same as the "otter switch". I have a late Griff, and it is definately not located on the swirl pot. I looked at Steve Heaths' book, which suggests this is located at the front of the engine on later cars (see photo at end of Chapter on Engine - this shows the temp sensor location).
I'll have a look at the rad tonight for other possible locations of the otter switch. I'm pretty sure I don't have a "hidden" mod-wise switch under the dash!
The "temp sensor" I understood was the same as the "otter switch". I have a late Griff, and it is definately not located on the swirl pot. I looked at Steve Heaths' book, which suggests this is located at the front of the engine on later cars (see photo at end of Chapter on Engine - this shows the temp sensor location).
I'll have a look at the rad tonight for other possible locations of the otter switch. I'm pretty sure I don't have a "hidden" mod-wise switch under the dash!
getting rid of snakey belts, ford boxes and aussie diffs would make life a lot easier as well 
Rack
For Clarity . . . .
Your ECU temp sender will be in the same place as Quinny's.
Your Water Temp Gauge sender is located behind the dizzy on a brass extender - different to Quinny's, about 20cm to the right of the highlighted loction.
Your Otter switch will be located in your radiator, below the top hose. Follow the induction pipe down to the front of the car and you will find it facing you with 2 wires coming off it.
For Clarity . . . .
Your ECU temp sender will be in the same place as Quinny's.
Your Water Temp Gauge sender is located behind the dizzy on a brass extender - different to Quinny's, about 20cm to the right of the highlighted loction.
Your Otter switch will be located in your radiator, below the top hose. Follow the induction pipe down to the front of the car and you will find it facing you with 2 wires coming off it.
Another quick tip . . . an advantage of having the OS in the rad is that you can change it without having to drain down the system.
Be quick, it'll dribble a bit but keep all other caps on etc . . make sure you also buy yourself a deep socket that fit's it as it makes it doddle to change and make sure you wrap the new otter switch threads with a couple of turns of PTFE for a better seal.
Be quick, it'll dribble a bit but keep all other caps on etc . . make sure you also buy yourself a deep socket that fit's it as it makes it doddle to change and make sure you wrap the new otter switch threads with a couple of turns of PTFE for a better seal.
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