Oil cooler fan....

[MuncyBob]

I remember hearing the fan start immediatly in the summer as soon as the key was turned and before the engine turned over. Is this fan controlled by a thermostat of some sort such that it won't run when cold out....maybe it's been like this for awhile since it's getting cold here now, but was running the PT this week-end and noticed that the fan was not running...even after 20+ minutes, or do I have a problem with the cooler?

 

[Charlie_Iliff]

On the 1845, there is a separate fuse for that fan, which I have blown. There is also a plug coupling that I can get apart and put 12V to the fan to make sure it is working. There were reports some time back of fans that had burned out, usually when a stick got in and stopped the fan so the motor fried. You need to do a little trouble shooting to be sure your fan is working. It may be that it just didn't get hot enough to need it,but you want to be sure.

 

[MossRoad]

My fan runs after about 10-20 minutes of work, then will stay on for the duration. If I shut down and wait 20 minutes or so, the fan will be off the next time I start it, so I believe my thermostat is working correctly. It should kick in anytime the hydraulic oil hits some magic temperature.

 

[stray]

I guess I best check mine out. Mine has never kicked on science the day I bought it. I just thought it had not gotten hot enough. I once had a Honda 4 wheeler and it had to get extremely hot before it kicked on.

 

[MuncyBob]

Check it for sure!! I would think in your location that the fan should kick in not long after running(assuming air temp has been above 70)...if the ambient temp. is over 70 I always saw my fan working soon after doing some work. I will check mine to be sure nothing is wrong...but I'm hoping that the cold days I've been using the PT lately have kept the oil temp low enough for it to not kick in(but I have my doubts...it hasn't been that cold!{low 40's}). /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[MuncyBob]

That's how mine did work until I noticed a stationary fan lately during the colder temps. I really thought that it would turn on after 20 minutes or so even in the colder weather...I'll have to check it out before next use(and I'll check the plug gap{unrelated to the fan of course!}..never looked at them since it arrived!).

 

[FOURTEEN]

My thermostatic fan switch died after about a month of use. I jumpered the switch to make the fan run continuously. Some rainy day I'll call PT for a replacement.

 

[MossRoad]

Like Charlie mentioned, see if there is a fuse, first. If there is, check it with a meter and replace it if it tests open. That's where I'd start.

If the fuse is good, try hooking the fan directly to 12v with some jumper clips and see if it spins.
If it spins, there might be a loose wire somewhere. Check all the connections.
If it doesn't spin, the fan motor might be bad.

Some handy test equipment to have around for any engine is:

A cheap DVM(digital volt meter).
A couple of 3-4' long wires with aligator clips for testing.

 

[MossRoad]

Where is the thermostat switch located? I've never looked. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[MossRoad]

Where is the thermostat switch located? I've never looked. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif