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Engine cooling fan staying on!

I

ian crosskell

PCGB Member
Member
Hi folks.
I have a 1987 220 Turbo (along with a 1987 3.2 Carrera and a 2002 996 C2 cabriolet) which gets fairly extensive use for perhaps four months each year; at other times I use one of the other cars. It has just done a 600 mile enjoyable run to Central France and ran very well all the way. Since arriving, the engine cooling fan refuses to switch off, so quickly depletes the battery and then sets off the alarm system. Battery currently disconnected. I presume a temperature sensor has got duff, but can anyone please advise what needs changing and give it's location; I have tools but not manuals with me. Thanks in anticipation, Ian Crosskell.
PS is just removing the cooling fan fuse (assuming there is one) and keeping an eye on the temperature gauge a wise idea?
 
Hi, I had this exact same problem with my 944 2 days after I bought it, simple fix really, locate the right hand side of the radiator from the front of the car, you'll see a thermo switch screwed into the rad, note weather it has two wires coming from it or three then purchase either from Ebay or a good motor factors, Porsche charge a small fortune for a genuine one & there really is no difference. top tip is to wait until the coolant is cold, then unscrew the old one, pop your finger in the hole, get the new one to hand & screw it in making sure is goes in square, no need to drain the system then, just top up. hope this helps, Jinxy
 
Hi again.
Thanks for the very prompt response. Unfortunately, I guess the 220 Turbo differs from the S2, as I cannot see the radiator sensor you mention and there is no way I can get a finger down the side of the radiator, let alone a hand. The radiator surround and the headlight mechanism block even a good view, access is impossible without removing radiator hoses etc. Any other suggestions out there?
Cheers, Ian
 
Hi Ian, I had the exact same problem on my 86 220 and like Jinxy says the rad thermoswitch was the problem. Access is pretty tight I raise the front on ramps and got at it from underneath. It is a b****** of a job as I recall and hard to get a spanner on to tighten up but its doable. I often think (usually in the middle of this sort of job) that Porsche sub-contracted the installation design to a kindergarten because almost every job is a complete PITA.
 
Thanks again. Will get the front end on the ramps and try from underneath to get at the offending switch. At present the rear end is on the ramps to secure a rattling silencer heat shield. Afraid at 27 years old parts not worn are just giving up the ghost anyway. Still a joy to drive when nothing obviously wrong - better on the road than the 3.2 Carrera, even if lacking in that car's character. Cheers
 
22 or 24 mm ? spanner Ian definitely the problem, they either fail on (Good) or in my case had one failed to switch on, luckily caught it in time [:)]
 
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