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My 90 TR radiator fans won't switch on

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by tommyworld, Jun 1, 2004.

  1. tommyworld

    tommyworld Rookie

    Jun 1, 2004
    33
    San Diego
    Full Name:
    tommy g
    #1 tommyworld, Jun 1, 2004
    Hello everyone i'm new here and glad i found you. I've had my 90 tr for about a year and love it. recently i noticed my car was reaching higher temps than normal on a sunday drive so i drove home and parked it. i called a ferrari mechanic the next day and he had me troubleshoot the problem and said it was a bad thermo sensor. said it is the under radiator. anyone out there ever fix thier own or should i take it to dealer. any feedback would be great. the car has been sitting for a few weeks and its killing me since we've been having such great weather in san diego. just have'nt had the time to set appointment and fix it.
     

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  2. dm_n_stuff

    dm_n_stuff Global Moderator
    Global Moderator Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Dec 10, 2003
    36,818
    Babcock Ranch, FL
    Full Name:
    Dave
    #2 dm_n_stuff, Jun 1, 2004
    Don't know about the '90 TR exactly, but can't be much more difficult than the thermal sensor on my Dino. Located lower portion of the radiator.

    If you want to make sure it's the sensor, unplug it, ang jump out the circuit. That will make the fans come on as soon as you turn the key in the car to start it.

    If it still doesn't work, then could be the fan relay, or the fuses. Check the fuse, if it's ok, then could be the relay, which is easier to replace than the sensor.

    All else fails, the R&R on the sensor is probably not a tough one, if you can turn a wrench, and are patient.

    Mine, unfortunately, turned out to be a bad impellor on the water pump.
     
  3. Rock

    Rock Formula 3

    Nov 9, 2003
    1,652
    Toronto, Canada
    Full Name:
    Rocco
    #3 Rock, Jun 1, 2004
    Check your fuse box, theres a white eleven pin connector (there are several white connectors). It sends power to the temp switch, the connector usually melts.
     
  4. tommyworld

    tommyworld Rookie

    Jun 1, 2004
    33
    San Diego
    Full Name:
    tommy g
    #4 tommyworld, Jun 2, 2004
    thanks for the tips guys. i will do as you both suggested and keep you posted.
     
  5. tommyworld

    tommyworld Rookie

    Jun 1, 2004
    33
    San Diego
    Full Name:
    tommy g
    #5 tommyworld, Jun 16, 2004
    ok i've done all the troubleshooting and the two pin connectoer that go to the fans are melted. what do i do to fix? thanks
     

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  6. henryk

    henryk Formula Junior

    Dec 9, 2003
    479
    Door County, WI
    #6 henryk, Jun 16, 2004
    Splice in a male and female blade connectors, and bypass the white connector all together.
     
  7. ants2au

    ants2au Formula Junior

    Nov 19, 2003
    690
    Sydney Australia
    Full Name:
    Anthony
    #7 ants2au, Jun 16, 2004
    if it's anything like the 512TR setup, the 2 relays that drive L and R fans are wired in parallel. on both input and output. it's silly, if one relay breaks down, both fans still work, and now draw current from one relay. hence the melting of PCB tracks and wires.

    I went into the fuse board and separated them by cutting PCB tracks and re-wiring. Now when one relay dies, one fan dies.
     
  8. tommyworld

    tommyworld Rookie

    Jun 1, 2004
    33
    San Diego
    Full Name:
    tommy g
    #8 tommyworld, Jun 17, 2004
    hey guys thanks for all the help. i will go and bypass the white connector and put male and female plugs instead. can i get these relays anywhere other than ferrari? i'm going to replace both while i'm in there. thanks again
     
  9. colo348

    colo348 Karting

    Nov 1, 2003
    141
    Colorado
    Full Name:
    Jim
    #9 colo348, Jun 17, 2004
    Check this thread out. As of this moment it is on page 2 of the technical Q&A section. "Testarossa Water Sensor Replacement" TR91 gave some great instructions, as usual. Good luck.
    Jim
     

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  10. Spasso

    Spasso F1 World Champ

    Feb 16, 2003
    14,612
    Land of Slugs & Moss
    Full Name:
    Han Solo
    #10 Spasso, Jun 17, 2004
    The relays are industry standard and you should be able to replace them with a common Bosche unit used on countless millions of other cars on the planet.

    The thermal switch is located on the bottom of the L/H radiator. Removal of the left rear tire and access panel is required. The switch controls both radiators.
     
  11. parkerfe

    parkerfe F1 World Champ

    Sep 4, 2001
    12,887
    Cumming, Georgia
    Full Name:
    Franklin E. Parker
    #11 parkerfe, Jun 17, 2004
    TRs are known for melting fuseboxs. I would go ahead and just replace the fusebox to fix this problem and avoid ones to come. Also, when you buy a new one, solder all the rivet connections before you install it in the car. I had that done on both my ex-TR and current Boxer. It is a common preventative measure for these cars.
     
  12. tommyworld

    tommyworld Rookie

    Jun 1, 2004
    33
    San Diego
    Full Name:
    tommy g
    #12 tommyworld, Jun 21, 2004
    Hey everyone thanks so much for all your input and instructions on what to look for and how to fix it. one of my relays was bad, the white plug melted and coated the connectors with plastic to where i got no contact. My connectors were not melted though. i filed the plastic off the connectors, replaced the 2 relays @ $6.00 each and both fans run great so my car is back on the road again!

    I know so much more about my TR now that i visit this site regularly. thanks everyone.
     

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