Re: 5KCSTQ Fan Issues

[Aleksander Mierzwa <alex@matrix.pl>]

At 09:05 99-04-09 -0400, Richard Haroutunian wrote:

>anyone ever run into a weird problem with the cooling fan where it seems to
>have suddenly gotten real loud?

What kind of sound is it? If it's a high pitched screetching/whining noise
it means the bearings in the motor are about to fail. It requires immediate
attention, as the bearings can seize and because on those cars the fan
motor is not fused, it can lead to _very_ serious electrical failure. Most
people will tell you to buy a new motor, well, being a poor boy from east
Europe I usually like to repair things rather than replace, so I took the
motor to my local electrics shop and they replaced the bearings for me. I
believe I paid less than $30.

>My fan kicks on at the right time, etc. -- but it seems a LOT louder than
>usual.  Also, is it possible for the fan to work when the car is running,
>but not work in 'after run' mode

Yes, the afterrun operation of the fan is triggered by a separate temp
switch located at the back of the upper coolant flange. This switch powers
the afterrun fan relay (which is, in fact, a purely electronic device)
which, in turn, triggers the radiator 1st speed relay. 

Aleksander Mierzwa
Warsaw, Poland
mailto:alex@matrix.pl
87 Audi 5000CS turbo (mine)
88 Renault Medallion wagon (mom's)
91 mountain bike (just in case both cars break at the same time :-)