Fan Troubles…

Technical advice Q&A

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BKC-USA
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Location: Asbury Park, New Jersey USA
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#1 Fan Troubles…

Post by BKC-USA » Sun Sep 26, 2021 11:07 am

New E Type owner here. Fans won’t turn on at all. They had previously worked, but it seems after a short test drive around the neighborhood they would stop. The otter bypass worked initially, but now it doesn’t. So I’m focusing on the relay, and want to bypass it safely…

The relay’s Black/Green connection (C1) has two leads. If I simply move the Green wire (C2) to this lead will I safely bypass the relay?

Thanks in advance.
Brian C.
Asbury Park, NJ USA
1969 Jaguar Series II OTS
Pale Primrose Yellow
85k Miles

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MarekH
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#2 Re: Fan Troubles…

Post by MarekH » Sun Sep 26, 2021 12:33 pm

Yes, that ought to make the fans work 100% of the time that the ignition is live, but it doesn't tell you where the fault is.

If instead, you disconnect the black/red wire and ground that "W1" relay contact instead, then it ought to fire the relay and that tells you the problem was on the Otter switch side of the relay.

If the relay doesn't fire when you do that, but you have 12v on the green wire, then the relay is at fault.
If you don't have 12v on the green wire, then that needs your attention.

If the relay fires, but the fans don't come on, then either there is a connection problem inside the relay or a wiring problem between the green/black wiring and the fan or it's the fan itself or the fan isn't grounded properly.

kind regards
Marek

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Topic author
BKC-USA
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#3 Re: Fan Troubles…

Post by BKC-USA » Sun Sep 26, 2021 1:26 pm

Solid advice … a sincere thank you Marek. Out to the Jag to troubleshoot. Will report back.

Brian
Brian C.
Asbury Park, NJ USA
1969 Jaguar Series II OTS
Pale Primrose Yellow
85k Miles

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Topic author
BKC-USA
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#4 Re: Fan Troubles…

Post by BKC-USA » Sun Sep 26, 2021 2:58 pm

My “no fans” situation is solved, but I’m back to my original issue of the fans cutting out after a bit.

To recap my relay issue: in cleaning all of my connections I incorrectly wired the relay. Now fixed. Face meets palm.

It appears my root cause may be the otter. From a cold start the otter kicks on when it should. I go through several iterations of it cycling on and off, and then … I guess when everything has sufficiently warmed up, the otter starts cutting out. The bypass now works faithfully (fingers crossed). I let the motor cool, reconnect the otter, it works for a little bit, and then cuts out again. Time for a new otter I guess.

I don’t think I’m misdiagnosing this, but after my foolish relay wiring mistake, maybe so.

I’d appreciate any additional criticism on either side of the coin.

Brian
Brian C.
Asbury Park, NJ USA
1969 Jaguar Series II OTS
Pale Primrose Yellow
85k Miles

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Gfhug
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#5 Re: Fan Troubles…

Post by Gfhug » Sun Sep 26, 2021 4:45 pm

Brian, the otter switch will turn the fans on and off as needed, they won’t stay on unless the water temperature is high. Are you assuming the fans should stay on once they’ve turned on? Sorry if I’m misinterpreting your comments.
As per my previous advice it might be appropriate to get a new/modern version of the otter from Coolcats

Also to be considered is an override switch that bypasses the otter and turns on the fans. Quite a few have this for peace of mind, turning them on if stuck in traffic on a hot day before they come on automatically.

Good luck

Geoff
S2 FHC Light Blue
S2 OTS LHD - RHD full restoration

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Topic author
BKC-USA
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#6 Re: Fan Troubles…

Post by BKC-USA » Sun Sep 26, 2021 6:10 pm

Geoff,

I’ll try to reiterate/simplify: the otter does it’s job (on and off as it should), and then stops doing its job and becomes unresponsive.

I’ve owned the car two weeks, and it seems now that from cold start until 10 minutes of driving all is well … then temp pegs and fans are off. Now that I’ve ruled out the fans, fuses, the relay, and the wiring, I’m left only to assume the otter is faulty.

Hope that clarifies things.

Thanks again for the guidance.
Brian C.
Asbury Park, NJ USA
1969 Jaguar Series II OTS
Pale Primrose Yellow
85k Miles

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Gfhug
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#7 Re: Fan Troubles…

Post by Gfhug » Sun Sep 26, 2021 7:23 pm

https://www.coolcatcorp.com/Merchant5/m ... ry_Code=CS

Time to change and try this as your suggestions put the otter in question
Not unusual to find lots of little niggles to sort out, but you’re asking at the correct place.

Geoff
S2 FHC Light Blue
S2 OTS LHD - RHD full restoration

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Topic author
BKC-USA
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#8 Re: Fan Troubles…

Post by BKC-USA » Sun Sep 26, 2021 8:39 pm

Thank you Geoff. Is this considered superior to the aftermarket options with SNG Barratt and other suppliers?

I also see CoolCat’s note stating “We always stock spares, but if you need one "on the road", the following parts interchange: Mitusbishi MB007639, GM 12337506, AC Delco C1808, Standard TS144, Motorad 5068”. My local parts guy here in the US might very well stock these options.
Brian C.
Asbury Park, NJ USA
1969 Jaguar Series II OTS
Pale Primrose Yellow
85k Miles

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