Fan Fail Light On Fan NOT Running

[Benjamin1983]

My fan was not cutting in at 88 or such like. I didn't worry too much cos I have an overide switch. I looked at the otter switch and a cable was disconected. I re-connected it and the fan ran all the time the ignition was on. I changed the relay then the 'fan fail' light came on. Now the fan does not cut in or work at all unless I use my switch. Any ideas??? The relay I've changed is the right one but it's only rated to 20A instead of the 30A it should be. I've got a 30A one on order.

[amarshall]

Is the switch connected in series or parallel ?

[Benjamin1983]

Is the switch connected in series or parallel ?

Not with the car now but looked like series to me by switch you mean otter yea?

[amarshall]

No, not the otter switch - your switch.

It sounds like the otterswitch may have failed in the closed position (safest way to go as the fans will run all the time). If you have a look in the Technical Article section you'll find some ideas about replacing the stock otter with something more reliable, but non-original.

[Benjamin1983]

No, not the otter switch - your switch.

It sounds like the otterswitch may have failed in the closed position (safest way to go as the fans will run all the time). If you have a look in the Technical Article section you'll find some ideas about replacing the stock otter with something more reliable, but non-original.

Can it be because since I've changed the relay the fan does not run at all?? As for my switch series or parallel I don't know it was already fitted when I brought the car I'll have to look.

[amarshall]

It's possible. It depends on the type of relay you have fitted. The rating shouldn't be too critical, though a 20A might burn-out because of a high start-up current.

[ABT]

Hi All,

I am having the same issue and have been working on the damn thing all day! Mine is an '85 SE (one of the first ones - first registered in November) and the right hand fan runs permanently. I have replaced the otter switch and the fan just runs the whole time. I am quite lucky as I know two other Excel owners; one with an '84 and one with an '89 SE (both of which have working fans) so I have been able to do some experimenting. Still none the wiser...

First I tried a new relay from the '84. The same issue continued to occur.

Then I tried the relay from the '89. This time the fans did not come on at all, even when temperature was showing close to 100.

I then attempted my relay in the '89. This caused the problem of the right-hand fan running the whole time.

I then checked that I hadn't burned out the '89s relay by putting it back in its rightful car and the fans kicked in as usual at 92 degrees.

I am at an absolute loss (not to mention my wits end)! I hope these tests help both of us out

Many thanks,

Alex

[Benjamin1983]

Hi All,

I am having the same issue and have been working on the damn thing all day! Mine is an '85 SE (one of the first ones - first registered in November) and the right hand fan runs permanently. I have replaced the otter switch and the fan just runs the whole time. I am quite lucky as I know two other Excel owners; one with an '84 and one with an '89 SE (both of which have working fans) so I have been able to do some experimenting. Still none the wiser...

First I tried a new relay from the '84. The same issue continued to occur.

Then I tried the relay from the '89. This time the fans did not come on at all, even when temperature was showing close to 100.

I then attempted my relay in the '89. This caused the problem of the right-hand fan running the whole time.

I then checked that I hadn't burned out the '89s relay by putting it back in its rightful car and the fans kicked in as usual at 92 degrees.

I am at an absolute loss (not to mention my wits end)! I hope these tests help both of us out

Many thanks,

Alex

I would of though it would be worth ordering a relay the same as from your car and trying that for what they cost.

[Benjamin1983]

Hi All,

I am having the same issue and have been working on the damn thing all day! Mine is an '85 SE (one of the first ones - first registered in November) and the right hand fan runs permanently. I have replaced the otter switch and the fan just runs the whole time. I am quite lucky as I know two other Excel owners; one with an '84 and one with an '89 SE (both of which have working fans) so I have been able to do some experimenting. Still none the wiser...

First I tried a new relay from the '84. The same issue continued to occur.

Then I tried the relay from the '89. This time the fans did not come on at all, even when temperature was showing close to 100.

I then attempted my relay in the '89. This caused the problem of the right-hand fan running the whole time.

I then checked that I hadn't burned out the '89s relay by putting it back in its rightful car and the fans kicked in as usual at 92 degrees.

I am at an absolute loss (not to mention my wits end)! I hope these tests help both of us out

Many thanks,

Alex

I would of though it would be worth ordering a relay the same as from your car and trying that for what they cost.

All being well I'll be putting some more time in to mine this thursay 07/10/2010. If I make any progress I let you know

[ABT]

Hi All,

I am having the same issue and have been working on the damn thing all day! Mine is an '85 SE (one of the first ones - first registered in November) and the right hand fan runs permanently. I have replaced the otter switch and the fan just runs the whole time. I am quite lucky as I know two other Excel owners; one with an '84 and one with an '89 SE (both of which have working fans) so I have been able to do some experimenting. Still none the wiser...

First I tried a new relay from the '84. The same issue continued to occur.

Then I tried the relay from the '89. This time the fans did not come on at all, even when temperature was showing close to 100.

I then attempted my relay in the '89. This caused the problem of the right-hand fan running the whole time.

I then checked that I hadn't burned out the '89s relay by putting it back in its rightful car and the fans kicked in as usual at 92 degrees.

I am at an absolute loss (not to mention my wits end)! I hope these tests help both of us out

Many thanks,

Alex

I would of though it would be worth ordering a relay the same as from your car and trying that for what they cost.

That's the plan although I'm not exactly sure which one I need! I meant to mention - I only got the car last week and the previous owner had removed the relay. Probably to hide the fact the fans weren't working. The one I was testing was found in the glovebox, labelled 'light bar' - my thinking is that he sourced an early type by accident given that it is a 1985 car but 1986 'SE' model year, and probably threw away the original.

I'm hoping Lotusbits will be able to tell me. Unfortunately I work 300 miles from the car during the week (hence rushing to try and fix it today to bring it up) so won't be able to report my findings until the weekend

Thanks guys,

Alex

[Benjamin1983]

Hi All,

I am having the same issue and have been working on the damn thing all day! Mine is an '85 SE (one of the first ones - first registered in November) and the right hand fan runs permanently. I have replaced the otter switch and the fan just runs the whole time. I am quite lucky as I know two other Excel owners; one with an '84 and one with an '89 SE (both of which have working fans) so I have been able to do some experimenting. Still none the wiser...

First I tried a new relay from the '84. The same issue continued to occur.

Then I tried the relay from the '89. This time the fans did not come on at all, even when temperature was showing close to 100.

I then attempted my relay in the '89. This caused the problem of the right-hand fan running the whole time.

I then checked that I hadn't burned out the '89s relay by putting it back in its rightful car and the fans kicked in as usual at 92 degrees.

I am at an absolute loss (not to mention my wits end)! I hope these tests help both of us out

Many thanks,

Alex

I would of though it would be worth ordering a relay the same as from your car and trying that for what they cost.

That's the plan although I'm not exactly sure which one I need! I meant to mention - I only got the car last week and the previous owner had removed the relay. Probably to hide the fact the fans weren't working. The one I was testing was found in the glovebox, labelled 'light bar' - my thinking is that he sourced an early type by accident given that it is a 1985 car but 1986 'SE' model year, and probably threw away the original.

I'm hoping Lotusbits will be able to tell me. Unfortunately I work 300 miles from the car during the week (hence rushing to try and fix it today to bring it up) so won't be able to report my findings until the weekend

Thanks guys,

Alex

Right mate. Today I have ended up putting back my old relay. I have three new relays all said to be the right one and even to me the circuit diagram looks right. However all three of the new relays I have put the 'fan fail' light comes on and the fan doesn't work at all wiht the ignition on. With my old relay in the fan runs continously with no 'fan fail' light. Now the otter switch (fan switch) is said to fail in the closed position. So my thinking is I need a new otter switch so I've just ordered one. I don't know how handy you are with a multi-meter but if you test for resistance across the otter switch when the engines cold you should see no or very little resistance. If you test again for resistance across the switch when the engine is hot ( over 92 ) the switch should show resistance.

[ABT]

Hi Benjamin,

Thanks a lot for that! I tried the 'right' relay as bought from Paul Matty (apparently they're the same for all Excels) but the fan just came straight on as usual. Unfortunately I am not too handy with a multi-meter or any electrics for that matter (tendency to hurt myself/create smoke). However I am lucky enough to work with a number of people who are. So I figure I will get the fan running permanently, drive it back up to Cumbria and seek some assistance!

This will require the coolant to stop disappearing first.

Thanks again,

Alex

P.S. By the way, how do you make your status thingy 'verified poster'?

[ttedj]

Just had exactly the same problem. Initially thought it was the relay but was the otter switch. If you pull off the 2 wires to the otter switch, the fans should stop. Touch them together and they should start. If you pull them off and the fans continue to run, the relay is stuck on and faulty. Otherwise it should be the otter switch.
Hope this helps.

Ted

[ABT]

Thanks very much for that. It looks like my otter switch has been bypassed by the previous owner. Wonderful. Life is full of little challenges!