rip off?
- Thread starter hotlanta77
- Start date
![[mad]](/images/smilies/mad.png "Mad [mad]")
hmm maybe to buy new and have it installed it might get up there but wow thats a lot of cash. You probably don't even need a new fan though. Its usually the last to go bad. Usually its the radiator temperature switch and the low speed resistor that go bad.
have any friends that know electricity? They could do some test to make sure your fan is indeed bad.
have any friends that know electricity? They could do some test to make sure your fan is indeed bad.
I don't know how it is on the e30 but on the e36 there is an easy way to test the whole system without the sensor and then test the sensor separately. You could disconect the plug that goes to the sensor in the radiator and at least on the e36 there are 3 pins (one is gorund, the other two are low temperature and high temperature). With the key in the on position, when you short the ground and the low temp pins, the fan comes on at a slow speed, when you short the ground and the high temp pin, the fan comes on at a high speed.
The way I tested the sensor was: I got it out of the radiator and checked which pins were shorted (none), then I heated it up with a torch and heard a little click (at about 60 degrees celcius) after checking with a multimeter, the ground and the low temp pin were shorted. I heated it up further and at about 90 degrees celcius it clicked again and all the pins were shorted out.
I think my fan wasn't working but testing shows that it should have been. Although I did acidentaly drop the sensor and that could have gotten it unstuck.
If like mjbst111 said, you have a few friends that know electricity, you can narrow the problem down. Oh, if there are only two pins on the sensor, thats probably because there is only one temperature at which it turns on, the same precedure would work for testing it except there is no high temp pin.
The way I tested the sensor was: I got it out of the radiator and checked which pins were shorted (none), then I heated it up with a torch and heard a little click (at about 60 degrees celcius) after checking with a multimeter, the ground and the low temp pin were shorted. I heated it up further and at about 90 degrees celcius it clicked again and all the pins were shorted out.
I think my fan wasn't working but testing shows that it should have been. Although I did acidentaly drop the sensor and that could have gotten it unstuck.
If like mjbst111 said, you have a few friends that know electricity, you can narrow the problem down. Oh, if there are only two pins on the sensor, thats probably because there is only one temperature at which it turns on, the same precedure would work for testing it except there is no high temp pin.
Actually the auxilary fan's motors are designed in such a way that the bearings like to destroy themselves. The fan itself is a $300+ part new.
Try ebay or get someone to pick it up at a junk yard, you'll probably pay under $100. Andreyiv- she's taking it to a mechanic, I doubt she can check it herself (or that she knows what you're talking about). DO ask your mechanic if he thinks it can be a relay since there are two that control the fan (one for the low speed and air conditioner setting, and one for the high speed setting).
Anyways - just check ebay. Most new fans come with a new reisistor too.
Try ebay or get someone to pick it up at a junk yard, you'll probably pay under $100. Andreyiv- she's taking it to a mechanic, I doubt she can check it herself (or that she knows what you're talking about). DO ask your mechanic if he thinks it can be a relay since there are two that control the fan (one for the low speed and air conditioner setting, and one for the high speed setting).
Anyways - just check ebay. Most new fans come with a new reisistor too.
mine never worked either, only overheated when i used the A/C and a little when i sat at idle hot days. Just reved it a bit to kick in the mechanical fan. I bought the new resistor for the low speed and re-wired the radiator temperature switch for the high speed to work, then a few days later it got totalled. Never did get to enjoy the would be ice cold A/C. dang!
BTW - anyone need a brandy new low speed fan resistor?? Or an oil pan gasket? haha - i think i bent the oil pan gasket in half in moving last week. I'd have to make sure its not damaged.... I have no need for either of these and would sell for cheap.
BTW - anyone need a brandy new low speed fan resistor?? Or an oil pan gasket? haha - i think i bent the oil pan gasket in half in moving last week. I'd have to make sure its not damaged.... I have no need for either of these and would sell for cheap.
Find another mechanic.
The fan assembly does cost approx. $300.00. A mech that is experienced working on the E30 can R&R the unit in 2 hrs. Parts and labor $450.00 max.
Find another mechanic.
There are many things that will make the fan inoperable beside the fan itself being bad. Lot of E30's out there at 200K plus miles with original fans that still work. There are also after market fan assy's that cost less and do as good a cooling job. I like OE/OEM parts but you do have options.
The other folks that posted ref needing the fan. The car is designed for both the mechanical fan and the electric fan to be operational and work correctly. The vehical performance with regards to engine cooling and proper A/C performance necessitate both fans working to spec. With you being in Atlanta for the A/C to meet spec on any summer day both fans must be capable of delivering the intended air volume. Don't spend $$$ chasing A/C poor performance problems with out confirming that the electric fan works and the mechanical fan (clutch) operate correctly.
Why not post a query for recommendations of mechanic shops in your area that know the E30.
If you have A/C cooling problems find a good A/C? shop in your area or go to http://www.autoacforum.com/ and ask for a shop. These folks are real good on all types of A/C question you may have.
Would like to hear how you make out.
The fan assembly does cost approx. $300.00. A mech that is experienced working on the E30 can R&R the unit in 2 hrs. Parts and labor $450.00 max.
Find another mechanic.
There are many things that will make the fan inoperable beside the fan itself being bad. Lot of E30's out there at 200K plus miles with original fans that still work. There are also after market fan assy's that cost less and do as good a cooling job. I like OE/OEM parts but you do have options.
The other folks that posted ref needing the fan. The car is designed for both the mechanical fan and the electric fan to be operational and work correctly. The vehical performance with regards to engine cooling and proper A/C performance necessitate both fans working to spec. With you being in Atlanta for the A/C to meet spec on any summer day both fans must be capable of delivering the intended air volume. Don't spend $$$ chasing A/C poor performance problems with out confirming that the electric fan works and the mechanical fan (clutch) operate correctly.
Why not post a query for recommendations of mechanic shops in your area that know the E30.
If you have A/C cooling problems find a good A/C? shop in your area or go to http://www.autoacforum.com/ and ask for a shop. These folks are real good on all types of A/C question you may have.
Would like to hear how you make out.