DOING IT ALL OVER AGAIN,...

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wetminkey
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Your car is a: 1979 2000 Spider
Location: Ault, Colorado

DOING IT ALL OVER AGAIN,...

Post by wetminkey »

Spent awhile yesterday replacing my non-functioning cooling fan thermocouple,...also replaced my old wiggly waterpump pulley.
After ensuring that the system was bled adequately, I warmed the engine to well beyond 190 F, all hoses hot, and NOTHING.
Shut it down and found the entire system to work just fine by shorting across the TC connector, completing the ground connection manually.
Brand new, non-fuctioning TC switch!
I found a way to remove/replace the TC without metal stressing the radiator bung that it screws into too much, but I'd SURE like to not do this TOO much more!
Does this ONLY happen to me? Or does anyone ever experience the frustration of successful completing of a mechanical task, only to find out that you have to do it ALL over again, because of crappy parts?!
Any recommendations as to WHO has new thermocouplers that WORK?!
At least my new waterpump pulley runs nice and straight!
Todd.
1988 Mazda RX-7
1979 Fiat Spider 2000
1978 3/4 ton Chev 4x4 P/U "FRANKENTRUCK"
1976 Camaro
1972 VW Superbeetle
1969 Ford F100
1968 Mustang coupe
wetminkey
Patron 2018
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Joined: Tue Jul 15, 2014 4:57 pm
Your car is a: 1979 2000 Spider
Location: Ault, Colorado

Re: DOING IT ALL OVER AGAIN,...

Post by wetminkey »

Kinda gives "Fix It Again, Todd" a whole new meaning!
1988 Mazda RX-7
1979 Fiat Spider 2000
1978 3/4 ton Chev 4x4 P/U "FRANKENTRUCK"
1976 Camaro
1972 VW Superbeetle
1969 Ford F100
1968 Mustang coupe
wetminkey
Patron 2018
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Posts: 1199
Joined: Tue Jul 15, 2014 4:57 pm
Your car is a: 1979 2000 Spider
Location: Ault, Colorado

Re: DOING IT ALL OVER AGAIN,...

Post by wetminkey »

Yahoo! I received my replacement cooling fan thermocouple this afternoon in the mail! I'll try to install tomorrow and see if it works,...
Here we go again!
Fix It Again Todd.
1988 Mazda RX-7
1979 Fiat Spider 2000
1978 3/4 ton Chev 4x4 P/U "FRANKENTRUCK"
1976 Camaro
1972 VW Superbeetle
1969 Ford F100
1968 Mustang coupe
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riverdadd
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Your car is a: 1975 Fiat Spider 1977 Alfa Spider

Re: DOING IT ALL OVER AGAIN,...

Post by riverdadd »

You are not alone sir...... I've been there too.


It's not just a "Fiat" thing, as I maintain several foreign & domestic on & off road , utility , and mowing machines.... this reoccurs!!

keep wrenching!!
Frog2Spider
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Your car is a: 1981 2000 Spider
Location: Vancouver, Washington

Re: DOING IT ALL OVER AGAIN,...

Post by Frog2Spider »

The fan switch is easy to test before installing. You need a good cooking thermometer and a continuity tester. The tester should be showing full continuity by the time the water reaches around 200-205F.

The thermostat is also easily tested by putting in water being heated to a boil. Stat should be totally open by 190F.

Hope this helps, and not just telling you something you already knew. :roll:

Dave
Always looking for curves under blue skies!
Frog2Spider

'81 - 2000 Spider
wetminkey
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Joined: Tue Jul 15, 2014 4:57 pm
Your car is a: 1979 2000 Spider
Location: Ault, Colorado

Re: DOING IT ALL OVER AGAIN,...

Post by wetminkey »

Thanks, Dave. Yeah, I knew. I just am not in the habit of testing new parts,...
And, I agree, it's not just a "Fiat" thing. Not at all,...riverdadd.
I've been 'wrenching' for over 45 years, and I find the dependability/quality of automotive and mechanical parts to have deteriorated in the last twenty, or so, years. Even names that you would expect to be trustworthy.
But I have pretty much found that out about the quality of EVERYTHING! It's a product of the race to build the cheaper item,...
I doubt much will keep me from wrenching,...I just require a lot more anti-inflammatories now!
Weather coming in, so I've been transplanting trees prior to the moisture. No time to swap the TC yet. And my back needs a rest!! It will probably be up to a TC swap later today, or in the AM.
Thanks. guys!
Remember those that made the ultimate sacrifice for us,...especially today!
Todd.
1988 Mazda RX-7
1979 Fiat Spider 2000
1978 3/4 ton Chev 4x4 P/U "FRANKENTRUCK"
1976 Camaro
1972 VW Superbeetle
1969 Ford F100
1968 Mustang coupe
wetminkey
Patron 2018
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Posts: 1199
Joined: Tue Jul 15, 2014 4:57 pm
Your car is a: 1979 2000 Spider
Location: Ault, Colorado

Re: DOING IT ALL OVER AGAIN,...

Post by wetminkey »

Ahhh,...that's SO much better!
Ran through two fan cycles, with heat selected, to be sure the system is fully bled and has drawn from the overflow tank.
It's a happy four cylinder, now!
1988 Mazda RX-7
1979 Fiat Spider 2000
1978 3/4 ton Chev 4x4 P/U "FRANKENTRUCK"
1976 Camaro
1972 VW Superbeetle
1969 Ford F100
1968 Mustang coupe
spider2081
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Joined: Fri Jan 27, 2006 11:45 pm
Your car is a: 1981 Spider 2000
Location: Wallingford,CT

Re: DOING IT ALL OVER AGAIN,...

Post by spider2081 »

The coolant fan draws a lot of current on start-up that is why its on a 16 amp fuse. Temperature switches like the one is the radiator will last a lot longer if used to control a relay that controls the fan.
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