Radiator Fan Always Running

Technical questions and answers concerning all models of VW diesel vehicles.

Moderator: Fatmobile

Post Reply
Toothmother
Glow Plug
Posts: 19
Joined: Tue Aug 03, 2010 10:09 am

Radiator Fan Always Running

Post by Toothmother »

Hi Guys,
All of the sudden my 1981 Diesel Caddy Radiator fan is always running. It starts running the second I turn the key, even before starting. I replaced the Auxiliary Fan Switch and still have the same problem. What else is controlling the fan? Could it be a bad replacement Switch? I am no expert so any help is much appreciated. Thank you!
Southern New Jersey USA
1981 Rabbit Caddy w/ 279,897 miles
TylerDurden
Turbo Charger
Posts: 1285
Joined: Tue Dec 22, 2009 1:01 pm
Location: Michigami, USA

Re: Radiator Fan Always Running

Post by TylerDurden »

Does your dashboard control panel include settings for AC? Some will run the fan if the selector is set on any AC position.
Have a nice day.


'91 Jetta ECOdiesel TD - clean & complete (less motor/tranny) for sale

'82 Westy Vanagon 1.9 N/A - 23.5mpg
'86 Jetta TD - 45-50mpg
'81 Dasher Wagon 1.6 N/A - 52mpg
'84 Wasserboxer - DOA, parts donor
'94 Passat wagon VR6
'03 Jetta TDI wagon 230K, 52.3mpg
'89 Jetta N/A - 51mpg
'82 Caddy 1.6 N/A - Sold
Toothmother
Glow Plug
Posts: 19
Joined: Tue Aug 03, 2010 10:09 am

Re: Radiator Fan Always Running

Post by Toothmother »

Hi TylerDurden,
Yes it does have AC and I will check when I get home, but I never had that problem before.
TYVM
Southern New Jersey USA
1981 Rabbit Caddy w/ 279,897 miles
Toothmother
Glow Plug
Posts: 19
Joined: Tue Aug 03, 2010 10:09 am

Re: Radiator Fan Always Running

Post by Toothmother »

Ok the inside climate fan is now controlling the radiator fan. If I turn it off the radiator fan turns off and if I turn it on radiator fan goes on. This never happened before. How can that be? TY :)
Southern New Jersey USA
1981 Rabbit Caddy w/ 279,897 miles
TylerDurden
Turbo Charger
Posts: 1285
Joined: Tue Dec 22, 2009 1:01 pm
Location: Michigami, USA

Re: Radiator Fan Always Running

Post by TylerDurden »

I can ony imagine it's related to the AC.

I sold my caddy too long ago to remember how the setup totally works, but I'd explore the ac switches and relays.
Have a nice day.


'91 Jetta ECOdiesel TD - clean & complete (less motor/tranny) for sale

'82 Westy Vanagon 1.9 N/A - 23.5mpg
'86 Jetta TD - 45-50mpg
'81 Dasher Wagon 1.6 N/A - 52mpg
'84 Wasserboxer - DOA, parts donor
'94 Passat wagon VR6
'03 Jetta TDI wagon 230K, 52.3mpg
'89 Jetta N/A - 51mpg
'82 Caddy 1.6 N/A - Sold
Fatmobile
Global Moderator
Posts: 7564
Joined: Wed Oct 30, 2002 10:28 pm
Location: north central Iowa

Re: Radiator Fan Always Running

Post by Fatmobile »

Really? The heater fan turns on the radiator fan? ha. That's a new one.
'91 Golf gasser converted to a 12mm pump, M-TDI.
'84 1.6TD Rabbit with a VNT-15 turbo, still setup to run on vegetable oil.
'84 GTI with 1.7TD pistons and intercooled.
2003 TDI wagon
2000 TDI Jetta.
Toothmother
Glow Plug
Posts: 19
Joined: Tue Aug 03, 2010 10:09 am

Re: Radiator Fan Always Running

Post by Toothmother »

Yes I think it will be funnier to me after I fix it! It is true any ideas what it could be? I am not familiar with the A/C, it was removed and I don't remember having A/C is my Rabbits when I was a much younger. :)
Southern New Jersey USA
1981 Rabbit Caddy w/ 279,897 miles
82vdub
Turbo Charger
Posts: 4922
Joined: Wed Jun 20, 2007 1:44 pm
Location: Green Bay, WI
Contact:

Re: Radiator Fan Always Running

Post by 82vdub »

On Ole 82 that has factory AC, the radiator fan will run when the heater selector switch is set to AC, or if it's set to defrost - AND - the fan switch it lifted to the one higher position than off. So yes, the heater fan can and does control the radiator fan (although not 100% directly). I would suspect that your heater controls are set to AC or defrost, and turning the heater fan on will energize the radiator fan.
Everybody else lists their cars here - but not me.

I have too many to count
Fatmobile
Global Moderator
Posts: 7564
Joined: Wed Oct 30, 2002 10:28 pm
Location: north central Iowa

Re: Radiator Fan Always Running

Post by Fatmobile »

If you pull the radio;
There is a plug on top of the heater controls.
I believe it's the one that turns on the rad fan when the controls are turned to AC.
Maybe unplugging it will solve your problem.
'91 Golf gasser converted to a 12mm pump, M-TDI.
'84 1.6TD Rabbit with a VNT-15 turbo, still setup to run on vegetable oil.
'84 GTI with 1.7TD pistons and intercooled.
2003 TDI wagon
2000 TDI Jetta.
Toothmother
Glow Plug
Posts: 19
Joined: Tue Aug 03, 2010 10:09 am

Re: Radiator Fan Always Running

Post by Toothmother »

Thank you. I will try that this weekend. I did notice that the climate controls are not connected correctly. So labeling on the heat, vent are all wrong. So the a/c controls most be working the fan. I did notice that the fan always kept running after I turned off the engine, but does not do that now. Is there another control for the fan cooling when the temp goes up besides the one attached to the radiator? TY :)
Southern New Jersey USA
1981 Rabbit Caddy w/ 279,897 miles
Tac
Turbo Charger
Posts: 214
Joined: Mon Jun 25, 2007 3:18 pm
Location: North Central Connecticut

Re: Radiator Fan Always Running

Post by Tac »

Just a guess but could iy be one of the temp sensors?
Tom
1991 Jetta 1.6 ME N/A.
Fatmobile
Global Moderator
Posts: 7564
Joined: Wed Oct 30, 2002 10:28 pm
Location: north central Iowa

Re: Radiator Fan Always Running

Post by Fatmobile »

I don't think there is any other thermoswitch than the one on the radiator.

AC switches usually shut the AC off when engine gets too hot.
'91 Golf gasser converted to a 12mm pump, M-TDI.
'84 1.6TD Rabbit with a VNT-15 turbo, still setup to run on vegetable oil.
'84 GTI with 1.7TD pistons and intercooled.
2003 TDI wagon
2000 TDI Jetta.
Post Reply