Epic2112

OK, so I washed my car today, and as I usually do, I hosed off the engine a bit to keep it nice and clean. After I was done with the whole I started to go on a drive to get the water out of all the little nooks. Well before I got to the highway I noticed that my temp gauge was all the way up to the red the red, and going higher. I pulled over right away to see if I could tell what was wrong under the hood. Well I could. I shut the car off and the pump that pumps coolant is working, but no fan. I was only a few blocks from my apartment, so I turned around and managed to make it home without anything exploding, but the temp gauge got all the way up to the top of the red. I imagine I got water where I shouldn't have. Does anyone have any idea what I got wet and how to dry it, or is there a chance that it will work again if I wait until it dries by itself?

Thanks

Sam Lin

Unplug the fan thermo switch on the radiator, clean the contacts, wiggle the wires, and plug it back in - see if that fixes it.

Sam

RJP 951

I would definitely let it dry out and carefully try again, but it doesn't seem to me that you'd gain that much heat unless you were running really hard at relatively low speeds or in stop and go traffic.

Ron

Epic2112

Ron, I was sort of in stop and go traffic, I live in the city, so I did have to deal with a few red lights and that stuff.


Sam, I'm going to go have a look right now, but I don't know squat, so if I haven't found it and you read this again, where is the fan thermo switch?

Thanks for the suggestions

-Kevin

Sam Lin

Driver's side upper corner of the radiator's plastic end tank, about 4" or so down. Looks like a large brass hex nut (sensor) with a flat rectangular black plug coming out, about 1.5" long.

Sam

Epic2112

OK, I think I see what you are talking about, but it's under two hoses, a small one and then a larger one. The only way I can get to it is by removing those hoses. Is this the right thing, and is it safe to remove the hoses while the car is off?

Mr. Avionics

Those are the radiator coolant hoses, If you are careful you can reach the connector by reaching under from left to right when facing the motor, not easy but it can be done. also check to make sure the temp sensor is dry, its located betwee the No. 1 and No. 2 intake runner, kinda hard to reach but look at it.

Bill

v944god

Fan relay switch?

Sam Lin

You sure? I can reach it relatively easy without removing those hoses.

Sam

SidViscous

Also make sure the water didn't loosen the fan connectors. Wide whit rectangular plugs on the back of the fan. May not be it but check the simple stuff first.

Epic2112

Bill, you gotta go slow with me as I am thoroughly inexperienced with cars. What are the No. 1 and No. 2 intake runners, and where are they? And then what does the temp sensor look like?

v944god, where is the fan relay switch?

Sam, I will give it another look, and try to get at it the way Bill suggested.

Thanks for all the answers everyone. I've decided I'm going to become a member. I was sort of waiting so that I could see if it's worth it, and it sure is. Just let me sort out this stupid fan problem first.

Epic2112

Nope, I can't get my hands in there at all. The big bar for the headlight lifters is in the way, as is the air filter assembly. I did manage to push it a little with the end of a screwdriver, but that accomplished a whole lot of nothing.

I suppose I could remove the airbox and then maybe have enough room to get to it, is that a big procedure? Maybe it's easier for some of you to get to these things because you have NA cars, don't forget mine is a 951, it's prety crammed in there.

Sam Lin

Mine's a 951 too! If you have ramps, try reaching up from below. Also try raising the headlights, maybe that'll help?

Sam

Epic2112

Yeah, I'm going to try to get in from below tomorrow, while it's light out. I tried raising the headlights but they are too off to the side. Do you have a stock airbox? Maybe I am looking at teh wrong thing, but I don't think so. In the daylight I'll take pictures so you can see why I can't get to it.

-Kevin

MM951

Eh, Last time I had a car that wasnt a porsche and it went that high (temp) my headgasket blew...my 86 N/A had the same problem and it was solved by the fan relay switch and fuse. On the NA its located in the engine bay on the upper driver side of the car. Its hidden under a black plastic tray that clips on. The diagram is on hte underside of that cover. Make sure fuse is okay and make sure all the stuff is in there tight!