Fans Constantly On

[K67 KRB]

Hi,

When I switch my ignition on, the cooling fans start, and stay on until ignition is switched off.

The advantage of this, as the engine is kept very cool.

Is this going to casue damage? Should I get it fixed?

Martin

[donatien]

This has happened to me in the past. It did cure itself and I never got to the bottom of it. I suspected a faulty otter switch or maybe sticking fans. Otters generally fail such that fans never come on, but I guess they can fail closed circuit.

You can test the otter switch by pulling the leads off when cold and looking for a closed circuit with a multimeter (or battery & lamp etc) across the otters terminals. If that is ok (i.e. no circuit) you may have an electrical short from the wires that connect the otter to the relays or the relays themselves are stuck. Depending on the year, there can be several layouts of fans and relays. Mine is later and has 2 fans, each with it's own relay but check your manual.

The problem with permanently on fans is that they draw quite a bit of current and if you have other electrical ancillaries on (e.g. lights, radio, etc) then you may run down the battery bt drawing more than the alternator is producing. Probably not an issue in the hot weather but on a cold day you may then not have enough to crank the starter.

Hope that helps

Dave

[jeremyc]

Make sure you don't have a fan override switch fitted which has been left in the 'on' position.

[K67 KRB]

Do you get fan overides on 4.3's?

It never used to happen.....
I tend to use the car during the day, so I'm not using lights......radio....RADIO....with that exhaust note :-)

The battery indicates plenty of charge.....

Martin

[rupert1]

I had this going up to Scarborough one day - found I had a fan override switch just by my left knee in the dashboard. Works a treat.......

[jamer]

Rupert I never knew it had one too, what a bargain!

Hope your still enjoying the car - sounds like it

A fan overide switch if you travel into traffic quite frequently is well worth the option - it's simple and should cost between £50-£120 dependent on who does it and how

James

[shpub]

K67 KRB said:

Do you get fan overides on 4.3's?

No they are not fitted as standard by TVR but many owners have fitted them as they can save the day.