I've just come back from a long day trip. When i came into the city (London), the temperature went upto and over 120 degrees Celsius. The warning light came on and told me to pull over and switch the engine off which I did. Running on the Motorway the car ran at around 87 degrees C which I understand is the correct operating temperature. It was only the stopping and starting of the City traffic that caused the problems.
When i stopped the car, for the 5th time to let it cool for 10minutes, I noticed the cooling fan wasn't switching on at all. I checked the belt that drives the fan and this was good. I can only assume that either the electric fan motor has gone or the sensor to tell the fan to switch on is broken.
I checked all the fuses and all seemed ok.
I've arrived home 2hrs ago, and the car is too hot to play around with. The airconditioning mechanic, replaced a leaking pipe and regassed the system last week and I feel he may have neglected to plug something in.

What is the best approach to verify the problem?
Where are the temperature sensors located?

Any help would be much appreciated.

I've just bought a dvd manual from www.manualsunlimited.com
It was $139. hopefully it will help.

 

did he remove the fan when he replace the pipe?

maybe the electric fan wasn't plugged back.

 

The car has cooled enough for me to check. The plug to the motor that drives the fan is plugged in and seems secure.

Is there a sensor somewhere that I should check?

The temperature reading on the display seems accurate so that sensor is working alright. Are there separate sensors for the fan and the dashboard display?

 

it's not a sensor problem.

the fan will run into full stage if the sensor is defective to protect the engine.

next thing to check is the connector in fan control unit. it is under headlamp. see if the wires/pins is burned or something.

 

That's great information.
I didn't realise the system worked this way. Very clever.

If I can rule out the sensors being faulty then I can concentrate on the motor.

Is the fan control unit a separate module or does it form part of the motor assembly. I.e. is it housed in the round plastic unit holding the motor.

The car has only done 64K Km (40K miles) so I'll be surprised if the motor has burnt out.

I've checked the wires and plugs going into the motor assembly. They seem ok.. Have I checked the correct connector?

 

if your model is really after 2001, then there is no suction fan module anymore. the control is already integrated.

it is controlled directly by front right SAM.

it gets power from 150 amperes fuse located on the passenger footwell.

the duty factor is controlled by engine control unit according to the temperature, and air conditioning status.

such problem is easy to check... however, you still need a technician who understand these things to sort out the problem.

first thing is to read the fault code and actual value using star diagnosis computer.

the only thing that remains for you to check is if that fuse #3 with 150 amperes is good.

the big red or black wire on the fan connector goes to that fuse. it must have constant 12 volts power whenever the ignition is on.

 

Great info SW, my Alfa had a similar problem and it was a simple fuseable link. I modified a Honda link from Napa by bending a small kink in it to fit, worked perfect from thenon. Mine too was only overheating in the city, once on the freeway there was enpough flow to cool it

 

Thanks for the information.

I wont get my diagnostic code reading tool until next week unfortunately. there are no malfunction readings from the dashboard display.

I can see the wire lume from the fan motor dissappearing below the right headlight. As mentioned, all the plugs seem ok.


I've opened the passage floor pan and can find any fuses. Only two black wire containers.

There is a large piece of foam with a metal plate at the front of the floor pan. Is the computer behind this? I didn't take it off because I wasn't sure and I need to.

Any advice?

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Sorry,
I've just read my post.
I meant to type, "I can't find the fuse". Not "I can.."

 

it is very important for me to know if your car is before june 2001 or after july 2001.

VIN would be very helpful.

you have to remove that metal plate to see the fuse box inside. you don't have to check from the fuse because it's too troublesome removing things. just on the fan electrical connector is enough...12V with ign on.

if your car is before 06/2001, better go to the suction fan module first.

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