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Hi all, just recently purchased 92 Brumby with an EA82 in it. The car has 2 thermo fans one that runs off the crank and the other an electric thermo fan. Unfortunately the thermo fan is not working.. what could the problem be?

Does it have air conditioning?

Might be worthwhile checking the temperature switch in the radiator, these things seem to be rather tempramental. It's located on the driver's side above the drain plug.

I assume it is the electric thermo fan that is not working?
The first thing to do is run some power from battery to the fan to see if it is working, if it turns that is ok. Next is to check the fan relay I know on the "L" series that this is on the drivers side of the engine bay near the strut. You need to check that it opens and closes with power, and then you check the thermo switch which is screwed into the radiator. The thermo switch is something I am not familiar with on how to test.

Yep it has airconditioning, i will wire it up to the battery and see if its the fan motor.

Thanks heaps.

Thermo fan works when wired to the battery, but wheres the relay? The little black relay are from the spotties.

A picture is worth a thousand words...lol..

Now you have checked it on the battery, why not run a power lead to a switch on the dash, then back to the fan, and when you want it on, just flick the switch.

Total cost $14 plus some solder. It can then be "on demand fan" instead of thermostat activated.

I have just done this with mine and the fan works with or without air cond.

In saying that neither of my previous subs had air, and did not overheat as the one I have now does, even with a new radiator and water pump.

If it is wired up to standard the electric fan should only switch on when the A/C is on or heat build up(well that is what mine does). When the new engine was put in the relays must have been removed, the one in question should have been mounted off strut top tower which is missing the bracket and relay's. I would agree with kerry idea just for simplicity and cheapness.

I'm not a proponant of the manually switched fan.

Where's that connection between your thumb and the radiator supposed to go? Is that the thermoswitch wire?

MUDRAT wrote:I'm not a proponant of the manually switched fan.

I second that, if it is only manual....too easy to forget.....
but its a worthwhile proposition in parallel with the existing thermo fan relay, that way either the thermo switch or the manual switch turns on the fan.

BTW,Delusion its very likely your thermo switch is directly switching the fan, it was so in my 85 L series, IMHO I don't think no thermo switch is meant to reliably switch up to 10amps forever.....best be putting a relay in there.
First thing you need to check is whether your fan is switched from the positive supply or the GND (-) supply.

Point taken, mine is in conjunction with thermostat and I found that when you turn off ignition and leave it on the fans in the air cond. also keep on !! This is a good reminder when getting out of the car that the switch is still on.

I use this switch when grinding slowly through soft sand for prolonged periods. I can turn the air off and keep the fan going, mine was turning off with the air, so I am guessing my thermo switch is not perfect after nearly 20 years and 3 owners.

Some of us do a bit of hard stuff and I guess the cars were not made for the punishment we give them sometimes, especially 20 years later.

My manual switch works a treat and I still have to turn air off for a while when grinding the fluffy thick sand, but the fan can be manually switched to stay on and she no longer heats up at all.

I only need to use the manual switch for short periods. Think about it anyhow it is a cheap quick fix until you work out the relays or thermo switch. Later you can just leave it off permanently, unless in an emergency.

You can pay and extra dollar and get a switch with a light in it on the dash or wire the light into the fan circuit and put anysize bulb on the dash upto say 10amps.

I put mine through the plastic on the radio side of the dash, down low. I pulled the radio facia off to get the switch in easily. I havent left it on yet.

The worst could happen is a flat battery and I carry a "thumper outback" offroad for a backup battery. It plugs into the cigarette lighter and charges while driving. Good dual battery system with no wiring required.