fan not coming on

[ylbill]

I think it's true what they say. The more you run it the better it runs. Car has been running great until this summer when I didn't get to run it much. Went to take it out for a short rare drive and the battery was dead. Jumped it no problem and let it run for a while as I did some things in the garage. Went to take it out and noticed it was overheating, which I never had a problem with previously. It had just started burping out the overflow tank. Then I noticed that the fan hadn't come on (previously would kick on at roughly 195 degrees and and keep temp normal). Then did briefly, but hasn't come again when started again and let it get a bit over normal temp then shut it down. I see lots of stuff about burping the system, but seems odd that this would cause the fan not to come on, but I'm no mechanic. So much out there on this. Where to start? Thanks!

[So Cal Mark]

see if it has power, perhaps after sitting all summer the fuse has gotten corrosion on it

[Dawgme85]

I would start by confirming that the fan is free to rotate, first. Check that the fan switch, at the bottom of the radiator on the driver's side, is plugged in. Also, if the horn doesn't work, check for a blown fuse, as the horn and cooling fan are on the same circuit.
Next, when the engine is hot, is the lower radiator hose and/or the lower part of the radiator hot? If not, there is air in the system that needs to be purged. Adjust the heater to "hot". If there is a tee in the heater hose that goes to the top of the head near the firewall, wait until the engine is cool, then de-pressurize the system by briefly flipping the lever on the radiator cap, then top off with 50/50 premix through the tee fitting.
If it's still overheating, there's something more serious going on.
Good luck,
LeRoy

[ylbill]

Thanks,
I'll check these things first. I did check the horn at the time and it did seem to be working fine.

[KevAndAndi]

Leaving aside your main question for a moment, I would recommend that you invest in a battery maintainer such as this one: https://no.co/g750 I've been quite happy with it.

[ylbill]

Leaving aside your main question for a moment, I would recommend that you invest in a battery maintainer such as this one: https://no.co/g750 I've been quite happy with it.

I actually have a battery maintainer, but didn't have it connected. Because it was summer, I didn't think the car would be sitting there for so long not being driven. It's on now. Thanks for the reply though. I appreciate any and all responses. Believe me, I need the help!

[ylbill]

This probably has no bearing at all, but I wanted to add this. I just did an oil change prior to all this happening. When I took it out for a drive around the block a week prior. No problems! I just remembered that and thought I'd mention it. I haven't had a chance to check things out yet, but maybe I hit something in the process??

[KevAndAndi]

Could be that you pulled a wire. How old is your fan thermoswitch on the radiator? Perhaps try to wiggle the wires once the engine gets to the temperature where the fan usually comes on. When my thermoswitch went bad, though, it wasn't the wire but rather the switch itself. The fan was running continuously. If your switch is old, I would order a new one regardless of whether your diagnostics are leading in that direction.

[ylbill]

Could be that you pulled a wire. How old is your fan thermoswitch on the radiator? Perhaps try to wiggle the wires once the engine gets to the temperature where the fan usually comes on. When my thermoswitch went bad, though, it wasn't the wire but rather the switch itself. The fan was running continuously. If your switch is old, I would order a new one regardless of whether your diagnostics are leading in that direction.

I've owned the car for 4 years. Haven't changed the switch since owning it and don't know how old the switch is. Probably a good idea to order one. Thanks

[131]

With your ignition on, pull the wires from the radiator switch and short them together, if the fan runs buy a switch, if it doesn't, start chasing power with a meter.

[spider2081]

With your ignition on, pull the wires from the radiator switch and short them together, if the fan runs buy a switch, if it doesn't, start chasing power with a meter.

I could be wrong but I don't think the ignition switch needs to be on for the fan to run on a 1982 Spider. The horn and coolant fan are on the same fuse and are on the "hot all the time" circuit of the car.

[ylbill]

With your ignition on, pull the wires from the radiator switch and short them together, if the fan runs buy a switch, if it doesn't, start chasing power with a meter.

Will do. Thanks

[ylbill]

With your ignition on, pull the wires from the radiator switch and short them together, if the fan runs buy a switch, if it doesn't, start chasing power with a meter.

I could be wrong but I don't think the ignition switch needs to be on for the fan to run on a 1982 Spider. The horn and coolant fan are on the same fuse and are on the "hot all the time" circuit of the car.

I thought I remembered trying the horn without the ignition on accessories, but it would make sense that it doesn't need to be on because the fan used to come after the car was off if hot enough.

[80spiddy]

With your ignition on, pull the wires from the radiator switch and short them together, if the fan runs buy a switch.
I did this and my fan finally came on. So, I replaced the switch. Still nothing. It was a bad ground on the switch. I added another ground to the switch and all is good. You may have a similar issue.

[ylbill]

With your ignition on, pull the wires from the radiator switch and short them together, if the fan runs buy a switch.
I did this and my fan finally came on. So, I replaced the switch. Still nothing. It was a bad ground on the switch. I added another ground to the switch and all is good. You may have a similar issue.

Thanks for the reply.