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328 cooling fans

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by mrockcastle, Jun 27, 2004.

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  1. mrockcastle

    mrockcastle Rookie

    Nov 3, 2003
    7
    #1 mrockcastle, Jun 27, 2004
    I had a problem with my fans not going on till 250 degrees...after lots of good advice I changed the Temp sensor located in the front of the car. After doing this the fans still did not go on. In fact, even after I used a screwdriver to jump the wires neither of the fans went on (did this while the car was running).

    So I thought maybe a fuse, but I checked them and they are OK...but not sure about the relays. Could they go bad without blowing a fuse? how do you remove them and check them? Is it common for BOTH to go at the same time. Or is there some other reason the fans are not kicking on.
    Any addtional help would be appreciated.

    Regards,

    MARK
     
  2. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Jan 11, 2001
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    Steve Magnusson
    #2 Steve Magnusson, Jun 28, 2004
    Assuming they are the Bosch ...113 relays (I didn't confirm that, but I'd be surprised if they're not), there are two things you could try/check:

    1. Remove one of the relays from its socket. With the ignition key on, and the temp sensor shorted (or warm enough to be closed) -- measure the voltage between the 85 terminal position and the 86 terminal position on the relay socket (the metals terminals on the relay are labeled with small numbers 30, 85, 86, and 87 nearby to figure out the terminal locations on the socket)-- should be +12V or -12V (depending on your meter polarity); 0V would be a bad sign, and

    2. Remove either relay from its socket. With the ignition key on, touch a jumper wire from the 30 terminal position to the 87 terminal position on the relay socket -- the fan motor (corresponding to that relay) should run.

    The outcome of those tests would indicate where to focus next...
     
  3. DGS

    DGS Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    May 27, 2003
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    DGS
    #3 DGS, Jun 28, 2004
    While you're at the fuse/relay panel, look for any black/brown spots on the white edge connectors. Some of those pins are a tad small for the current to run, say, a pair of cooling fans. And decade and a half old spring clip connectors can get a bit loose, leading to heating at the connector. A burned connector could keep the fans from running.
     
  4. GrigioGuy

    GrigioGuy Splenda Daddy
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    Nov 26, 2001
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    #4 GrigioGuy, Jun 28, 2004
    Mark, your email is bouncing.

    The 1989 wiring diragram is available from www.ferrari328.com It's slightly different from the earlier models, but should be sufficient for tracking this down. As was suggested earlier, check for bad connectors. These cars are known for burning them up over time.
     
  5. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Jan 11, 2001
    26,785
    30°30'40" N 97°35'41" W (Texas)
    Full Name:
    Steve Magnusson
    #5 Steve Magnusson, Jun 28, 2004
    That '89 328 WD suggests an additional easy test:

    3. Are both your front parking lights and front turn signals lights working OK?
     
  6. kgoy

    kgoy Rookie

    Jan 20, 2004
    24
    Houston, TX, USA
    #6 kgoy, Jun 30, 2004
    Please don't flame me too hard for stupidity, but I did have this problem on my previous 328... After troubleshooting all the complicated stuff (relays/wiring/connections/etc), the problem turned out to be the temperature sensor in the coolant reservoir.

    Unless the fluid level is high enough to cover the sensor, it will not measure correctly and, therefore the fans will not come on... even thought the water temperature is climbing.

    Simply by ensuring the fluid level is correct in the reservoir, my fans always continued to come on when required.
     

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