Radiator fans - advice please?

[johnfoss]

Hi all,

The radiator fans on my 406 GLX, 2.1td (R reg - D8) have stopped working, I have a reasonable knowledge of car electrics, but would some one be kind enough to point me in the right direction please? ie: fuse number, thermostat switches (where is it?) etc. etc.

Many thanks,

John

[mjb]

The 2 large fuses for the fans sit in the little fusebox between the battery and the wing. No idea which ones they are, but Haynes should reveal all. The relays should live somewhere behind the pug badge on the radiator grille

[johnfoss]

Thanks MJB, any idea where the control thermostat is please?

John

Note to self, get Haynes manual

[mjb]

I know know as far as cars with the Bitron fan ECU go, but on them, the fan ECU gets its temperature from the engine ECU which gets it from the coolant temperature sensor which'll probably be located near the engine-end of the top radiator hose. Unplugging the sensor connector should cause the fans to come on at full speed as the car will think it's hotter than the sun...

[johnfoss]

Thanks again MJB, tried removing plugs (a blue one, with one wire and a brown one with two wires) and nothing, both fans still stationery, checked fuses under bonnet, next to battery, all ok and power present, any further ideas mate?

Bought the obligatory Haynes manual and it shows three relays, any idea where they are, any suggestions to get them going would be grateful, as this hot weather is causing hell and don't want to boil the car or me!!!!

Cheers John

[steve_earwig]

Under a cover behind the grill(e), the connections often get a bit manky.

[johnfoss]

Thanks Steve, do you know if it's possible to remove just the to part of the grill on a D8 or is it whole bumper off?

John

[steve_earwig]

Ah, I think you need to take the plastic cover off your shiney new Haynes and get reading

Just the venetian blind bit between the lights: four clips across the top, pull up the center pins and prize out the clips, then poke a long thin screwdriver down behind the lion and push down the clip while giving the grille a pull forwards. A bit fiddly the first time but you soon get the idea.

[johnfoss]

Cheers Steve, thats tomorrow afternoons work sorted

John

[steve_earwig]

No problems bud.

Here's one I made earlier...

[mjb]

If you can find the connectors for the actual fans, try shoving 12v straight into them, that'll tell you if it's one or both fans broken, or if it's the relays/ecu

[johnfoss]

Ok Steve and MJB, your advice has been 100% spot on, thanks - removed front grill, checked relays, all clean and I can here them clicking, when I remove the temperature switch plugs, also, if I spin the fans, they rattle into life but!!!! are wobbling like a drunk after 10 pints!!!! re-connect the switch and they stop, remove the switch and nothing unless, I spin them by hand God they rattle, wobble and sound awful.

I take it, I'm looking at 2 new fans? Breakers yard? Ebay? or Peugeot dealer? or can I replace the bearings?

Any advice guys (and gals)

John

[steve_earwig]

So the original problem was the switch?

They could be full of dust & sh!t, not sure. They're a pig to get off too (did you have a look at this?) Breakers or eBlay? Hmm, how do you know if they're any good? Even at the breakers they might spin free but have no brushes left. I just checked the price on Service Box and temperate climate fan now seems to be 108.51 GBP - feck!

I think I'd be incluned to see if there's a load of crud round them or if the spindles are bent. Failing that, have just one off for investigation. The other will still work (if you can sort the switch) but it'll be pulsing a lot.

Or, as my dad would say, "ignore the problem until it manifests itself in a more apparent manner".

Hey, here's a thought, how much is a big fat Kenlowe??

[johnfoss]

Steve.

I think the switch is working ok, as the fans stop, when I reconnect it. I can also hear the relays clicking on and off when I disconnect/reconnect the switch. Problem seems to lie within the fans themselves, the left hand one (looking from the front) is really 'wobbly', the right one's not so bad, but neither will fire up, unless I spin them by hand, to start them.

If I put a big Kenlowe on, will it work for the a/c as well?

John

[mjb]

Congratulations on the successful troubleshooting! You'd be looking at a hefty bill if it was the Bitron ECU... Grab a new pair of fans with the cowl from ebay or a breakers yard. I think pug want about 100 each for the fan motors and about 50 each for the blades, which sounds like a hell of a lot more effort than grabbing a new cowl for £50 and replacing the lot in one go!