Testing the radiator fans - 328? | FerrariChat

Testing the radiator fans - 328?

Discussion in '308/328' started by qedqeq, Apr 18, 2016.

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  1. qedqeq

    qedqeq Formula Junior

    Apr 15, 2015
    384
    Hi all,

    I have noticed that my rad fans do not come on at all,

    I was reading somewhere that I can bypass the radiator switch to see if the fan motors are the culprit.

    I cannot locate said how to.

    Can someone give me guidance, or point me in the right direction?

    Regards
     
  2. greyboxer

    greyboxer F1 World Champ

    Dec 8, 2004
    12,724
    South East
    Full Name:
    Jimmie
    How about: go to radiator switch with screwdriver (or paper clip or similar) and briefly short the two terminals whilst ignition is on and wires remain connected
     
  3. qedqeq

    qedqeq Formula Junior

    Apr 15, 2015
    384
    Yeah, How about that, LOLOL

    Should of thunk this one through first before asking,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

    Regards
     
  4. Crowndog

    Crowndog F1 Veteran

    Jul 16, 2011
    7,042
    Fairfield,Pa
    Full Name:
    Robert
    The switch I think is located on the radiator. It is on 308. According to 328 parts diagram bottom center inside part of radiator (facing driver)


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  5. miketuason

    miketuason F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Feb 24, 2006
    15,833
    Cerritos, CA.
    Full Name:
    Mike
    Yes, what Jimmie said also just an idea, I always leave like a 2" jumper wire with a spade terminal on each end and leave it in the trunk just in case
     
  6. qedqeq

    qedqeq Formula Junior

    Apr 15, 2015
    384
    Great Idea!!!!!!

    Thanks
     
  7. stonker

    stonker Formula Junior

    Jul 14, 2012
    420
    Surrey UK
    Full Name:
    Stonker
    A previous owner fitted a micro switch under the dash so I can turn on fans if needed. Very handy!!!!
     
  8. mike996

    mike996 F1 Veteran

    Jun 14, 2008
    6,912
    Full Name:
    Mike 996
    Maybe they have not NEEDED to come on. If the system is in good condition, the 328 has more than enough cooling ability to handle anything the car can possibly encounter. Are you saying that no matter how long it sits at idle or in hot weather bumper/bumper traffic the fans do not activate and the temp gauge continues to rise to max?

    If you are driving along at speeds much above 15-20 MPH, with the AC off, the fans on a 328 may never come on at all because they are not needed. What is the temp gauge showing when you are concerned about the fans not running?
     
  9. Brian A

    Brian A F1 Rookie

    Dec 21, 2012
    3,155
    SanFrancisco BayArea
    Full Name:
    1983 US 308 GTS QV
    "Brian Harper" had a cool suggestion of rewiring the light in the instrument cluster which shows when the heater fans on to show when the radiator fans are on instead. Not sure he ever did it.
     
  10. ferrariowner

    ferrariowner Formula 3

    Feb 21, 2014
    1,155
    Mansfield, TX
    Full Name:
    Ron
    I did that mod almost 20 years ago. Yellow lite in the corner tells me when the fans kick on. Very easy and reversible.
     
  11. qedqeq

    qedqeq Formula Junior

    Apr 15, 2015
    384
    I was asking because I was bleeding the system after I did the cambelt change out. During the bleeding procedure, the water pump belt came off and the engine temperature started soaring and I shut off the car, but at no point did the radiator fans come on.

    The car never even comes close to overheating during regular driving. It has a hard time even reaching 195 degrees during regular driving.

    Regards
     
  12. Crowndog

    Crowndog F1 Veteran

    Jul 16, 2011
    7,042
    Fairfield,Pa
    Full Name:
    Robert


    It would be logical that the fans didn't come on. Without water circulating due to no water pump action hot coolant never reached the radiator hence the switch didn't turn on.
     
  13. nerofer

    nerofer F1 World Champ

    Mar 26, 2011
    12,085
    FRANCE
    I have never reached 195°F (90°c) in "regular driving" in the eight years I have had my 328 GTB. In normal conditions, the car operates with the needle at exactly "a hair" before the middle mark, which is 75° Celsius on euro cars, so it must be 74°C, aka 165° F.
    The only condition when it goes "slightly above" is on highways at 110 kmh when it sometimes go to 77/78°; but not always.

    In the traffic, you would really need being stopped into a congestion for the fans to kick in.
    In "usual city traffic", that is: "waiting a minute or two at a red light, then going to the next red light, then waiting a minute or two, etc..." the fans do not come in.

    Same for the 328 GTS, except that the needle is staying on a lower number, about 70° C or 160° F.

    Numbers are indicative only, because we all know that these gauges are not "precise to the degree".

    Rgds
     
  14. qedqeq

    qedqeq Formula Junior

    Apr 15, 2015
    384
    LOLOL, This whole thread is about me NOT thinking logically, so why stop now.

    Regards
     
  15. Crowndog

    Crowndog F1 Veteran

    Jul 16, 2011
    7,042
    Fairfield,Pa
    Full Name:
    Robert


    Oh sorry. I'll try to be more careful! I had an XKE back in the day and also wired up a fan switch for heavy traffic days.
     
  16. qedqeq

    qedqeq Formula Junior

    Apr 15, 2015
    384
    LOLOL, Its not you, its me, I am usually better than this. Just having fun thrashing myself.

    Regards
     
  17. Crowndog

    Crowndog F1 Veteran

    Jul 16, 2011
    7,042
    Fairfield,Pa
    Full Name:
    Robert


    Lol you want to talk about self thrashing please read my thread on "steering woes and wow". Don't know if it was self mutilation or masturbation but I totally thrashed myself.
     
  18. qedqeq

    qedqeq Formula Junior

    Apr 15, 2015
    384
    Hahahaha, I will!
     
  19. mike996

    mike996 F1 Veteran

    Jun 14, 2008
    6,912
    Full Name:
    Mike 996
    RIGHT! As far as the fan sensor could tell, the water temp in the Rad was essentially ambient air temp.
     

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