Operating Temperature/

[Berksturk]

Hi,

I have not had my Elan long and she has been garaged since December. She was first registered 1990 and has covered 36K with full service history from Bell & Coleville.

On the runs she has had the temp gauge reaches the first indicator mark where it remains with very slight fluctuation, then returning.

As the weather has been so good over the last week I of course have taken her out. I was then stuck in a jam. I watched the temp gauge rise steadily to 3/4 and then heard the fans kick in, the needle then dropped and the fans switched off.

What I would like to know is this normal, being subjective I could say that as the fans kicked in the systems are fine and working correctly. However do I also assume that this is normal for the Elan when in a traffic jam?

Replies gratefully received.

[RayD]

It sounds to be working perfectly.

Ray

[Paul.P]

What I would like to know is this normal, being subjective I could say that as the fans kicked in the systems are fine and working correctly. However do I also assume that this is normal for the Elan when in a traffic jam?

This is perfectly normal, although a bit daunting the 1st time !, nothing to worry about.

[Dave Eds]

What Ray & Paul said

[Berksturk]

Thanks Guys, yes it was very daunting, thanks for the reassurance.

[tweetdriver63]

Totally normal. It freaked me out the first couple of times mine did that, too. I have since installed a lower temp fan switch from Rodney Dickman's website that turns the fans on just below the halfway mark. It makes me much more comfortable.

You can read about those switches, and their pros and cons (although I don't think there are any cons) on this thread.

Also, I ended up with an extra 210-200 degree switch. Even though they are pretty cheap, if anybody wants it, I'll be happy to send it their way for postage cost.

[RayD]

An alternative would be a manual overide switch on one or both fans - I think I'll do it - just need to identify where to wire the switch in.

Ray

[Monty]

An alternative would be a manual overide switch on one or both fans - I think I'll do it - just need to identify where to wire the switch in.

Ray

easy to do, a wire direct from the Relay (thanks to Clemo)

Think that was the only thing that saved my cylinder head when Pinky decided to piss out all if it`s coolant at a Bedford trackday and the temp red lined

[Enright]

An alternative would be a manual overide switch on one or both fans - I think I'll do it - just need to identify where to wire the switch in.

Ray

If you're really lucky and have aircon, you have that switch already.

[RayD]

What would be the best way to wire in a manual over ride switch for the cooling fans...

If this is OK would it be practical to connect direct to the relay connections, or would it need joints making on the wires a distance away.

Looking at the diagram, does the cooling pump stop as the fans start?

Ray

[tweetdriver63]

I have a question. Maybe I've missed something, but why would you want to put a bypass switch on the cooling fans? Do you prefer over-heating? If you want to turn them on at a lower temp, then just install a lower temp thermal switch, like the rest of us.

Is there a legitimate reason why anybody would want the capability of preventing the fans from operating????

[GeoffSmith]

Chris, I think the intention is to have a manual switch to turn the fans on.

Ray, you will need a 30A rated switch if you do it like that and if you get a partial short on the switch, it could get awfully hot. In addition, you could leave the fans on when you leave the car - if you're old it may be caused by deafness, if you're young it may be due to the iPod

The best way would be to activate the relay coil - i.e. ground pin 85 in the same way as the temperature switch does: WikiElec

Hold on there - what's the pressure switch when it's at home? Anyone know?

[tweetdriver63]

So I guess the idea is to be able to turn the fans on manually in the event the thermal switch fails to do it, right? That sounds legit.

[Doug]

So I guess the idea is to be able to turn the fans on manually in the event the thermal switch fails to do it, right? That sounds legit.

if your thermostat ever fails closed, the hot head water will not get past the thermostat to activate the thermal fan switch (downstrean from the t-stat!!) and the fans will not come on - - - - wait to long like this and BOOM!

my t-stat did just that once and I had to rest the car and use full heater to get it home safely at night -- changed t-stat an hour later and all was then well!

[RayD]

Geoff,

Thanks for that - I'll have a look and no doubt return with another question...

So I guess the idea is to be able to turn the fans on manually in the event the thermal switch fails to do it, right? That sounds legit.

No Chris, the idea is…on a scale of 1 to 12, if it’s a good thing to have the car generally operating at 3, why wait till it gets to 9 before the fans start cooling it down, or in your case ‘7’ or whatever.

While sitting in a traffic jam you could flick the switch on and maintain the temperature between 3 and 4 – and - it would give you something to do.

Ray

[GeoffSmith]

if your thermostat ever fails closed, the hot head water will not get past the thermostat to activate the thermal fan switch (downstrean from the t-stat!!) and the fans will not come on - - - - wait to long like this and BOOM!

I think Mikeydude and I had similar thoughts: sensing the temperature gauge reading to control the fans. I don't know if there is anywhere to mount the temperature switch on the other side of the temperature switch.


So what is the pressure switch?

[tweetdriver63]

Geoff,

Thanks for that - I'll have a look and no doubt return with another question...

So I guess the idea is to be able to turn the fans on manually in the event the thermal switch fails to do it, right? That sounds legit.

No Chris, the idea is…on a scale of 1 to 12, if it’s a good thing to have the car generally operating at 3, why wait till it gets to 9 before the fans start cooling it down, or in your case ‘7’ or whatever.

While sitting in a traffic jam you could flick the switch on and maintain the temperature between 3 and 4 – and - it would give you something to do.

Ray

On the other hand, if you leave everything stock, then sitting in that traffic jam watching the temp gauge can be like watching a scary movie. All the suspense of the temp rising....Will it die this time?...whoo, that was a close one......over and over.

[RayD]

Nice one Chris.

[RayD]

Thanks for that - I'll have a look and no doubt return with another question...

Here's the other question...

Having found the black and orange wire in the loom, making its way to the cooling fan temperature switch. I was going to run a wire through an illuminated switch to earth.

If I'm not mistaken the cooling pump will start up at the same time as the fans - there's the odd chance of forgetting to turn the switch off before the ignition, leaving the car parked up all day with the pump running and a flat battery.

Is there a way round it...?

Thanks
Ray

Edit: Picture moved to a later post with added detail

[Monty]

The best way would be to activate the relay coil - i.e. ground pin 85 ?

Think this is how i did mine many years ago with Clemo`s write up, wired to a switch just below the digital clock. The Switch will only work with ignition on and only works the Fans and not the water pump.