Steaming, Part II

Kent McLean kentmclean at mindspring.com
Tue May 1 09:41:34 EDT 2001


Listers,

When my '89 Audi 200TQ overheated, a seam in the radiator 
had split. I had it replaced at the local service station. 
A few days later, on a warm day, it overheated again while 
idling in the parking lot. I went to Scott Mockry's site 
(www.sjmautotechnik.com) for excellent instructions on 
troubleshooting. 

First step was to pull the thermo-switch connector. Thanks
to the list for pointing out its location under the lower 
radiator hose. I managed to get a needle nose pliers in 
there to pull the connector. When I put the jumper wire to 
it, ignition on, -- nothing. 

Next step was to put juice directly to the fan terminals.
I used the recommended battery jumper cables, but couldn't
get them to grip the terminals as the terminals were too 
closely spaced. 

In a flash of brilliance (OK, dim bulb), I traced one line
to the fused link on the side wall. I could attach one of
the cables there. That's when I noticed the corrosion and
some black at one end of the fused link. Busted! 

The fused link fell to pieces when I tried to remove it.
12 years of heat cycling made the plastic brittle. A quick
visit to the FLAPS (friendly local auto parts store) secured
a 60 amp replacement. Not stock. Ugly as sin. But it works.

Started the car to take it for a test drive, and the dang
overheat warning light came on. Hopefully it's just due to
being low on fluid. I'll refill the cooling system today.

Just in time for 80 degree F weather.

Cheers,
Kent McLean, monkey lad



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