Constantly running cooling fan

Hi,

I have a '88 Ford Escort 1.4(CVH engine) I live in the UK so it is winter
now. My problem is, the radiator cooling fan is constantly running.
It even runs the moment you turn the ignition first thing on a cold morning.
What would cause this?
Is it some sort of thermocouple I need to replace?

TIA
Walter

Hi.

> I have a '88 Ford Escort 1.4(CVH engine) I live in the UK so it is winter
> now. My problem is, the radiator cooling fan is constantly running.
> It even runs the moment you turn the ignition first thing on a cold morning.
> What would cause this?
> Is it some sort of thermocouple I need to replace?

Definitely the thermostat. It might have welded itself closed or
something like that. It is situated .. well it the other end of one of
the wires from the fan.

--
Fjern de 4 bogstaver i min mailadresse som er indsat for at hindre s...
Remove the 4 letter word meaning "junk mail" in my mail address.

"Soren Kuula" > wrote in message
k...
> Hi.
>
> > I have a '88 Ford Escort 1.4(CVH engine) I live in the UK so it is
winter
> > now. My problem is, the radiator cooling fan is constantly running.
> > It even runs the moment you turn the ignition first thing on a cold
morning.
> > What would cause this?
> > Is it some sort of thermocouple I need to replace?
>
> Definitely the thermostat. It might have welded itself closed or
> something like that. It is situated .. well it the other end of one of
> the wires from the fan.
>
> --
> Fjern de 4 bogstaver i min mailadresse som er indsat for at hindre s...
> Remove the 4 letter word meaning "junk mail" in my mail address.
>

Just to clarify, the thermostat and the fan switch are two different things.
I'd also suggest you check the fan relay..

-Bruce

In article >, Walter wrote:

> I have a '88 Ford Escort 1.4(CVH engine) I live in the UK so it is winter
> now. My problem is, the radiator cooling fan is constantly running.
> It even runs the moment you turn the ignition first thing on a cold morning.
> What would cause this?
> Is it some sort of thermocouple I need to replace?

Could be the sensor or relay that turns the fan on provided the temps
are cold when it's on....

But check to see if the AC is accidently turned on... tonight I noticed
the cooling fan was on when the engine was cold in my winter car...
I wondered why and figured I have to chase that down.... then I noticed
the AC button had been pushed accidently. I turned off the AC and heard
the fan click off.

(Brent P) writes:

> In article >, Walter wrote:
>
> > I have a '88 Ford Escort 1.4(CVH engine) I live in the UK so it is winter
> > now. My problem is, the radiator cooling fan is constantly running.
> > It even runs the moment you turn the ignition first thing on a cold morning.
> > What would cause this?
> > Is it some sort of thermocouple I need to replace?
>
> Could be the sensor or relay that turns the fan on provided the temps
> are cold when it's on....
>
> But check to see if the AC is accidently turned on... tonight I noticed
> the cooling fan was on when the engine was cold in my winter car...
> I wondered why and figured I have to chase that down.... then I noticed
> the AC button had been pushed accidently. I turned off the AC and heard
> the fan click off.

I seriously doubt that a 1988 1.4 liter UK spec Escort would have A/C.

>
>

Thomas

Soren Kuula wrote in rec.autos.tech

> Hi.
>
>> I have a '88 Ford Escort 1.4(CVH engine) I live in the UK so it is
>> winter now. My problem is, the radiator cooling fan is constantly
>> running. It even runs the moment you turn the ignition first thing on
a
>> cold morning. What would cause this?
>> Is it some sort of thermocouple I need to replace?
>
> Definitely the thermostat. It might have welded itself closed or
> something like that. It is situated .. well it the other end of one of
> the wires from the fan.
>

The thermostat is a heat operated valve that opens when the coolant
in the engine reaches operating temperature. I has no electricity
running to, or through, it. It does not weld itself closed, or open.
When it fails it will either remain partially open and the engine will
take forever to warm up, or it will open late and the engine will run
real hot and then suddenly cool. What you probably mean is that the
temperature sensor for the fan has failed, and the contacts on it
are welded closed. Which is the most likely cause of the problem.
It is fairly common for the power for the fan to run directly through
the sensor.


--
Dick #1349
Damn it . . . Don't you dare ask God to help me.
To her housekeeper, who had begun to pray aloud.
~~ Joan Crawford, actress, d. May 10, 1977
Home Page: dickcr.iwarp.com
email:

In article -to-reply>,
ve-to-reply says...
> (Brent P) writes:
>
> > In article >, Walter wrote:
> >
> > > I have a '88 Ford Escort 1.4(CVH engine) I live in the UK so it is winter
> > > now. My problem is, the radiator cooling fan is constantly running.
> > > It even runs the moment you turn the ignition first thing on a cold morning.
> > > What would cause this?
> > > Is it some sort of thermocouple I need to replace?
> >
> > Could be the sensor or relay that turns the fan on provided the temps
> > are cold when it's on....
> >
> > But check to see if the AC is accidently turned on... tonight I noticed
> > the cooling fan was on when the engine was cold in my winter car...
> > I wondered why and figured I have to chase that down.... then I noticed
> > the AC button had been pushed accidently. I turned off the AC and heard
> > the fan click off.
>
> I seriously doubt that a 1988 1.4 liter UK spec Escort would have A/C.

Eeeeww - 1.4L? Sheesh, I had a U.S. built 1.6L and it was the worst
engine I've ever come across.

In any case, I'm wondering if someone didn't do the usual trick when the
fan relay system dies - that is wire around it so the fan just runs
constantly.

"Thomas Tornblom" -to-reply> wrote in message
-to-reply...
> (Brent P) writes:
>
> > In article >, Walter
wrote:
> >
> > > I have a '88 Ford Escort 1.4(CVH engine) I live in the UK so it is
winter
> > > now. My problem is, the radiator cooling fan is constantly running.
> > > It even runs the moment you turn the ignition first thing on a cold
morning.
> > > What would cause this?
> > > Is it some sort of thermocouple I need to replace?
> >
> > Could be the sensor or relay that turns the fan on provided the temps
> > are cold when it's on....
> >
> > But check to see if the AC is accidently turned on... tonight I noticed
> > the cooling fan was on when the engine was cold in my winter car...
> > I wondered why and figured I have to chase that down.... then I noticed
> > the AC button had been pushed accidently. I turned off the AC and heard
> > the fan click off.
>
> I seriously doubt that a 1988 1.4 liter UK spec Escort would have A/C.
>
Too right, no need for AC here....

Problem sorted!
Got myself replacement sensor that fits onto thermostat housing, Works a
treat. Only cost a few quid too.

Walt