Rad fans / otterstat / Ac ?

[lamboman]

I seem to have no AC or rad fans coming on.when ac is turned on no fans...when i take the car for a drive it seems to run hot and i have yet to hear the fans come on.I bypassed the otterstat and fans came on,however turning on ac during this test did not blow cold either.

Does the otterstat have anything to do with the ac circuit or just for engine overheat/fan control?.I am concerned with getting the fans running correctly so the car does not overheat.The car had a fan fix (two fuse Y cable) installed by the PO.What can i check to get the car cooling correctly so it does not overheat?.what should i test.if the otterstat is bypassed does this mean it is bad?.

As far as testing / fixing the ac i want this working too but where should i start?.how do i know if the compressor is on? and i hear there is a jumper one can do to trick the compressor to come on?.

[82DMC12]

First, to get the car cooling correctly, it sounds like you have a bad otterstat OR the otterstat is not oriented correctly. Is the otterstat pointing towards the ground or pointing upwards? It should be pointing downward and rotating the aluminum pipe 180 deg will accomplish this. If it is pointing up, an air pocket can form. If it is pointing down and jumping the wires causes the fans to come on, replace the otterstat and be sure to ask for the new, larger retaining clip (old clip doesn't work with new otterstat!)

Does the compressor come on when you turn to max ac and the temp knob turned to full cold? If not, you may have too low a charge to get the compressor and fans to cycle.

Andy

[lamboman]

The otterstat has been replaced as it looks new...the wires point to the ground so is this oriented correctly or should the otterstat wires be on top?.i am not sure on the compressor?how do i tell if it is turning on?.


First, to get the car cooling correctly, it sounds like you have a bad otterstat OR the otterstat is not oriented correctly. Is the otterstat pointing towards the ground or pointing upwards? It should be pointing downward and rotating the aluminum pipe 180 deg will accomplish this. If it is pointing up, an air pocket can form. If it is pointing down and jumping the wires causes the fans to come on, replace the otterstat and be sure to ask for the new, larger retaining clip (old clip doesn't work with new otterstat!)

Does the compressor come on when you turn to max ac and the temp knob turned to full cold? If not, you may have too low a charge to get the compressor and fans to cycle.

Andy

[DMCVegas]

If you bypassed the Otterstat and the fans kicked on, you've possibly got a bad Otterstat. However like Andy said, it will depend upon the position of the unit based upon what type of plumbing you have. Without a VIN it's hard to pin down which type you have, so... On the Driver's Side of the Water Pump, does it connect up to a rubber hose that curve around and down to a pipe that runs on the chassis? Or does it connect up to a pipe that runs between the A/C Compressor and the Intake Manifold and then curves down?

As for your A/C, the stock wiring of the car only kicks the fans on when the Compressor is Engaged. So if your A/C isn't properly charged, the fans won't turn on when you turn the Mode Switch.

Edit: Just saw your response.

Possible Bad Otterstat it sounds like. The wires should indeed point down. That ensures that the sensor is always submerged by coolant so it can accurately be triggered.

You'll know when the A/C kicks on because aside from the loud click, you'll see the center of the pulley begin to spin.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N19NoriORW4&feature=results_main&playnext=1&list=PLFED122F34D69774D

And if you want to see what the inside of your compressor looks like/functions, here ya go. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmqY1VaiMS4&feature=related)

[82DMC12]

So basically it sounds like you have two separate problems - and you will need two solutions to get it working correctly again.

Andy

[Bitsyncmaster]

Does the pipe holding the otterstat get hot? If your thermostat is stuck closed the water will not flow to the otterstat. You may have some air in the cooling system which will cause problems.

Your otterstat wiring is working so either the water on it is not hot enough or the otterstat is faulty.

Don't worry about the AC until you get the fans working to keep that engine from overheating.

[DeLorean03]

Lambo,

Go to your otterstat. Unplug the two wires that are currently hooked up to the otterstat. Get a paperclip or create a jumper wire (take a piece of 16 ga wire, strip both ends, and crimp male spades, 1 on each side), and put the ends of the paperclip or the jumper wire into the each wire that was just connected to the otterstat. You have now bypassed the otterstat entirely, and put the key in ignition and turn the key to hear the fuel pump priming before trying to turn the engine over. You should hear the fans roar to life - especially if you have the original fans - it'll sound like a dang wind tunnel :P.

If the fans come on with the above process, you have a bad otterstat. Replace the otterstat, and if you don't get a new retaining clip, use a zip-tie to lock the otterstat into place.

[lamboman]

I am attaching a pic of the plumping to the water pump... and the otterstat taken from below.

[lamboman]

where do the fans usually kick on (temp) on the gauge?.

[DeLorean03]

where do the fans usually kick on (temp) on the gauge?.

This one can be answered with a variety of responses. There is the 220 mark and than there is a no-number mark at about the 7 O'clock position. My fans come on nearly exactly halfway between the two (so at about the 8 O'clock position).

[jawn101]

where do the fans usually kick on (temp) on the gauge?.

Depends on the otterstat, they can be calibrated to different temperatures. It also depends on how accurate your gauge is. Mine kick on just a hair above the second tick from the bottom.

[David T]

If the water pump is full of air or the thermostat is stuck closed the otterstadt switch will never get hot enough to run the fans. Try bleeding the water pump and get out any air in it. If touching the 2 wires together that go to the O switch gets the fans running the wiring for the fans (at least the cooling portion) is OK.
David Teitelbaum





Depends on the otterstat, they can be calibrated to different temperatures. It also depends on how accurate your gauge is. Mine kick on just a hair above the second tick from the bottom.

[lamboman]

I went through all the connections today and did manage to get the fans to come on...came on between 8 and 9 (oclock) before half way point on the temp gauge...is this too high or average?.thanks.

[Bitsyncmaster]

I went through all the connections today and did manage to get the fans to come on...came on between 8 and 9 (oclock) before half way point on the temp gauge...is this too high or average?.thanks.

That's probably normal. My car has a low set otterstat and the fans kick on just above the 1/4 mark (first line).

So what was the problem?

[TTait]

if you don't get a new retaining clip, use a zip-tie to lock the otterstat into place.

Even with a new clip, put a cable tie on it. My properly installed new (2 year old?) clip failed on the freeway at 60 mph. I would not have even known as the rush of water and steam was rather brief and the temp gauge does not even flutter in this situation. If not for another motorist who waved me down, I would have lost the engine.

When you insert the otterstat, the two wiring spades coming out of it go parallel to the bumpers, one at the front the other at the rear. Then put a cable tie around the whole pipe and between the otterstat spades so it can not come out. Then hook up the wires.

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Everyone needs a cable tie.

[82DMC12]

The new clip for the new otterstat is not very good either. I messed with it for probably an hour before finally deciding to double-secure it with a zip tie. It just does not fit well enough for my comfort.