Radiator electric fan not working

[nickharman]

The car has been unused 12 months in a barn trapped in France

The fan spins by hand but wont come on

Any ideas of first things to check?

Thx

Nick

 

[jjad]

When you say it doesn't come on, is that when 12V is applied to it, or when you are using the car? It would be good to eliminate the thermostatic switch that's housed in the radiator.

 

[nickharman]

Well I've just been running it stationary, as I check it over as it needs a CT.

I assumed the fan would eventually come on, but it didn't, the dash overheat lamp came on instead

Not much in the way of tools here in France but I can see if I can find some wires to bypass the switch?

N

 

[Andy McGhee]

Nick
Is the top hose getting hot when it should? If not, the thermostat is probably faulty.
If the thermostat's okay, and hot coolant is getting to the radiator, you can test the fan by removing the two wires that go to the sensor and connecting their ends (for a no-tools solution, a piece of ring-pull will work in an emergency, or just to test the fan). Once the wires are connected, the fan should run as soon as you turn on the ignition.

 

[nickharman]

I ran wires direct to the fan and it worked. Now Ill try what you suggest

 

[nickharman]

Yes the fan worked once the switch was bypassed, so a new switch is in order.

Terrible noise from the water pump bearings which after a while went away, possibly just dry from disuse.

 

[malcolm]

The connectors to the fan switch at the bottom of the radiator are very exposed. They corrode and the switch stops working. It's a good idea to smear some vaseline over them and slide them off and on a few times to clean them up when getting the car back on the road every spring.