Hi all

My lower radiator fan has self destructed so I purchased a used 'good' set of fans and shroud and fitted them today. I *thought* that previously both fans ran the whole time however can't be sure.

I fitted the new fans and plugged them in, however only the bottom fan runs - the top fan doesn't seem to run at all. I went for a drive and monitored the coolant temp via my OBD reader and during the entire trip the temperature was pretty much constant at 90 C, so I wonder if the top fan only comes on when it gets stinking hot? Ambient temp is cold today if that makes any difference.

I did notice a couple of times when I switched the ignition on the top fan moved briefly then stopped.

Any thoughts? Should I be asking a sparky to wire my fans so they both run the whole time or am I just being stupid?



Cheers,

Chris Nielsen

Waikato, New Zealand
1997 LWB XJ6 3.2 w/ K&N and Andy Bracket

 

The fans are connected in series for "low" operation. The behavior suggests that the top fan has some mechanical obstruction (bearings?) that prevents it from turning, which will, in turn, cause the lower fan to run faster. The fans should both run, slower while connected in series mode for low, and fast while connected in parallel for high.

I suspect, if your fans get the "high" command, the fuse will blow due to the onbe fan being jammed and then you will have a bigger problem.

 

Mr Sparkenzap, I owe you a tasty beverage :-)

I put the old fans back and both ran so I suspect you are correct about the bearings on the top fan, it does seem quite tight. The dealer I purchased them from assured me they had tested both fans, perhaps they put more juice in them than my car is. Anyway, I swapped the top fan for the one from my old shroud, thankfully it is serviceable, and now I have two fans that both run quietly. Woo hoo!

Cheers,

Chris Nielsen

Waikato, New Zealand
1997 LWB XJ6 3.2 w/ K&N and Andy Bracket

 

woo hoo, indeed!

 

Hats off to you, Ross, and well done, Chris, for sorting it out!

Cheers,

Don