fans not switching off

[laz11]

my fans usually turn off when the ignition cuts out but yesterday they stayed on and didn't turn off with the result that the battery drained. will need to jump start it but any ideas for what i can do to stop it happeneing again until i get it looked at??

[spend]

Pull the relay out of the fusebox.

[steve-V8s]

Are they both running ? Mine has a separate relay for each one

[laz11]

spend said:

Pull the relay out of the fusebox.

Well problem is then i won't have fans at all. i'm in London this weekend ...just have to try not to get caught in traffic! Also don't have my handbook with the fuse guide so don't know which is the right relay. it's a 92 4.3 if anyone can help
Cheers

[steve-V8s]

The fan cables have a connector about 8 inches away from each fan. You could simply unplug one or both of them. I think on the early cars there is only one relay. If you are saying the fans run all the time even with the ignition switched off then it probably is a stuck relay. If they only run which the ignition on then could be the “otter switch”, which is the temperature switch fixed at the base of the swirl tank. You could unplug that and see if the fans stop running.

[laz11]

steve-V8s said:

The fan cables have a connector about 8 inches away from each fan. You could simply unplug one or both of them. I think on the early cars there is only one relay. If you are saying the fans run all the time even with the ignition switched off then it probably is a stuck relay. If they only run which the ignition on then could be the “otter switch”, which is the temperature switch fixed at the base of the swirl tank. You could unplug that and see if the fans stop running.

cheers. they run when the ignition is off so sounds like it could be the relay. i have also been getting a really annoying buzzing sound that increases in noise relative to engine revs which also came on the same trip that the fans started misbehaving. not sure if related?

if i disconnected the wires or pulled the relay whilst the fans are on would this not cause an electrical short?

[Wildfire]

Get a new relay, they're really cheap and switch it over. Soietimes you can un stick them by giving them a sharp tap. If not it will be your otter switch. If you're really stuck, drive with the fans on, then pull the relay out when you park.

I wouldn't advise driving with no fans at all. The Pre Cat front isn't particularly good for cooling through that tiny opening.