Electric fan

[mharv01]

I have just had occasion to remove the front bumper on my 92' 2.4 for the first time and spotted that there was a disconnected wire. I reconnected it and the electric fan fired up. Hey, I thought this is why I have been having overheating problems over the last year. The problem is that the fan is permenantly on even when the engine is cold. I am not sure how these things are supposed to work, I assume that there is a thermostat somewhere that might need replacing. Does anyone have any ideas...

Martin

[Woodie]

I have just had occasion to remove the front bumper on my 92' 2.4 for the first time and spotted that there was a disconnected wire. I reconnected it and the electric fan fired up. Hey, I thought this is why I have been having overheating problems over the last year. The problem is that the fan is permenantly on even when the engine is cold. I am not sure how these things are supposed to work, I assume that there is a thermostat somewhere that might need replacing. Does anyone have any ideas...

Martin

The sender is underneath the coolant filler cap. I'm not sure about your theory on overheating though. I would replace the sender AND flush my system if I were you as that fan is quite hard to start under normal conditions, I only hear mine fan when restarting about a minute or two after a hard run when the heat from the block is transfered to the coolant triggering the sender.

[yungjamie]

electric fan

having just bought my 93 surf (I love it) I too have a possible problem. When I switch ignition on the electric fan comes on straight away. When the engine starts the main fan comes on as well as the electric fan and they stay on for the duration until I switch off. I know its a bit warm in jap land, but will this do harm anywhere. Any advice on how to make the fans function properly.

Cheers Jamie.

[Woodie]

having just bought my 93 surf (I love it) I too have a possible problem. When I switch ignition on the electric fan comes on straight away. When the engine starts the main fan comes on as well as the electric fan and they stay on for the duration until I switch off. I know its a bit warm in jap land, but will this do harm anywhere. Any advice on how to make the fans function properly.

Cheers Jamie.

I think you have the same problem as Martin, the elecric fan should hardly ever be on, its there as a last resort when the belt driven fan cant cope, change the sender unit first, they cost about £5.
PS: It wont harm anything its just annoying

[mharv01]

Thanks for the replies guys. My 'Overheating' problems are not too bad. In normal everyday use I have no problems but when I do long motorway runs after about 100km the temperature goes up suddenly and when I stop I note the expansion tank is full and bubbling. I let it cool and replace 4 or 5 ltrs of water and off it goes for another 100km. It does seem better with less anti-freeze, or this my imagination. I have had the radiator reconditioned and replaced the filler cap and thermostat recently but I have not had the confidence for a long run again yet. I check the water frequently on local runs and it is sometimes almost at the top of the expansion tank. I was hoping that the electric fan might sort this out, I'll check out the sender unit this weekend. I guess the previous owner may have disconnected the fan because it was on all the time, but doesn't this hammer the battery though..

Thanks martin

[yungjamie]

electric fan.

I am going to replace the sender unit to try and stop the electric fan being on all the time., would appreciate advice where I can get the unit from. I have replaced both batteries but would imagine the fan being permanently on would knock holes in the new batteries. Plus in it's favour, it does,nt overheat.

cheers jamie

[Woodie]

You could phone milners if theres no Toyota dealer near you - http://www.milneroffroad.com/ they will deliver pretty fast.

[andyman]

cooling fan sensor.

I have a 92 LN 130. I agree with all the advice about this fan being the last resort. I have the run as it pleases syndrome and would love to change the sensor but my friendly Toyota dealer cannot identify it despite comprehensive vin information. Help!!!! can anyone come up with the part number so all us unfortunate souls can finally live in peace!

[Gamedawn]

I have a 92 LN 130. I agree with all the advice about this fan being the last resort. I have the run as it pleases syndrome and would love to change the sensor but my friendly Toyota dealer cannot identify it despite comprehensive vin information. Help!!!! can anyone come up with the part number so all us unfortunate souls can finally live in peace!

Not certain about this as it's very difficult to see on the EPC, but I think the part you are looking for is 89428-20100. At least it will give you a starting point with the dealer and he may be able to confirm if it is correct.

By the way, I solved the problem with my fan by removing it altogether. The only time it should come on is when extra strain is being put on the engine with the air con running. I have removed the air con and have a brand new radiator so figured the only thing the fan was doing was obstructing the air flow. It now acts as a paper weight in the garage

[Silversurfer]

I have just had occasion to remove the front bumper on my 92' 2.4 for the first time and spotted that there was a disconnected wire. I reconnected it and the electric fan fired up. Hey, I thought this is why I have been having overheating problems over the last year. The problem is that the fan is permenantly on even when the engine is cold. I am not sure how these things are supposed to work, I assume that there is a thermostat somewhere that might need replacing. Does anyone have any ideas...

Martin

A relatively easy solution would be to simply put a switch into the wire you have already identified as supplying the fan. Mount the switch in a convienient place on the dash and you can simply switch the fan on/off as required. I have done this in the past on a Ford Granada that I used to tow a heavy caravan with - it allowed me to switch the electric fans on before the engine got anywhere near overheating on long hills/hot weather etc.