Radiator fan not working?

eifionlangford · 11 Aug 2010

Hi-had my car serviced by local garage in March 2010. A week later wife was out in car (mini cooper 2004) and it got very hot, she turned on car heater to full blast and it cooled down, she was sat in traffic. On returning home I found spark plug trapped between the fan blades and the radiator, obv. preventing fan from turning. This must have been the garage as it was a BMW spark plug and no other way for it to have got in from the road.

Anyway, left the car running for ages and seemed to be fine so didn't bother contacting garage.

Now, many months later car got v hot again, again used heater to cool down. Had been driving for some time and then stationery for about 20 mins.

When I got home I left it idling for about 1/2 hour, eventually heat went right up but fan not working.

I assume the obstruction will have destroyed the fan's electrics? Have checked the fuse and that seems okay? I assume fan should have kicked in ( the heater dial had gone up past 3/4 distance and was rising.

I know I should have taken car back to garage but all seemed okay so any advice on above before I phone them to try and get it resolved.

Burnerman · 11 Aug 2010

Probably burnt the fan motor out, I'd say.....
But I doubt if the garage would believe you!
John

jctilingservices · 11 Aug 2010

you could try a wire direct from the battery to the fan terminal to make sure the fan motor is ok, then obviously if it dont work its knackered

jetex · 12 Aug 2010

Ensure that all your coolant pipes and radiator are all the same temperature. It's possible that the thermostat is not opening. If the fan switch is in the radiator, there will never be any hot water in there, so the fan will not come on as it's not sensing hot water. Double check your fan fuse. If the fan blades were jammed, I think the fuse would blow before the fan motor would burn out.

eifionlangford · 12 Aug 2010

thanks Jetex-sounds sensible, will give that a go.

Mickymoody · 13 Aug 2010

A BMW sparkplug blocking the radiator? How do you know this? Aren't Mini's made by BMW?

Burnt out fan motor. Why ask?

drystone · 21 Aug 2010

try changing the fan temperature sensor not sure whare its located on your car it could on radiator or engine block possibly .its a fraction of the cost of radiator drystone

Agile · 21 Aug 2010

Identify the fan switch and join the two wires supplying it with engine on and see if fan starts.

It does sound as if fan is burnt out!

You should have tested it after you removed the spark plug.

Tony

jetex · 22 Aug 2010

Not sure about yours, but some cars will automatically put the fan on if you pull the plug of the temperature sensor. This is a safety device in the event of a sensor failure.

Agile · 22 Aug 2010

Its a feature of when electronics is used to measure temperature to operate temperature gauge/indicator, to take part in determining correct operating conditions and to add the safety feature of powering the fan if the sensor is disconnected or becomes open circuited.

It also saves having to provide a fan switch which saves money.

I dont know what the later Minis use but certainly the old type of fan switch is the simplest for the DIYer to test and work on.

What I should have added to my previous posting is the measure the voltage applied to the fan motor is will indicate if its actually getting a supply.

If not then connect it to 12v and see if it works.

Fault finding relies on tests and logical deduction.

Tony

karlosthejackel · 22 Aug 2010

your car being a mini will almost certainly have air con. switch it on. if the fan dont work its a quick way to check. the compressor may kick in and the back out if the fan aint working

Radiator fan not working?

Mickymoody

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