Radiator Fan relay sticking - '86 4kq

[Ti Kan]

Dave Conner writes:
> I read suggestions in the archives that the old/original fan may have
> increased electrical resistance to the point where it draws higher current
> that welds the relay contacts together.  
> Is there a way to test the electrical resistance of the fan?
> Should I just assume this is the case and replace the fan? 

Does the relay socket and the relay itself show any signs of overheating?
Also what about the condition of the contacts in the relay socket?

It's also possible that the relay fan itself is on its way out, increasing
current draw.  I don't have a '87 4kq wiring diagram handy to look at,
but some Audis' radiator fans are not fused, and if the fan seizes one
day you could have a burnt wiring harness at the least, or even a fire.

-Ti
01 S4 2.7 biturbo quattro
84 5000S 2.1 turbo
80 4000 2.0
96 A4 2.8 quattro (sold but not forgotten)
-- 
    ///  Ti Kan                Vorsprung durch Technik
   ///   AMB Research Laboratories, Sunnyvale, CA. USA
  ///    ti at amb.org
 //////  http://www.ibiblio.org/tkan/
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