Hi, car is'98 Xantia TD with aircon. Radiator fan does not seem to cut in at all. Normal driving the guage goes up to about80 to 90 but when in traffic it rises to 100+. I run the heating fan full blast and it drops a bit. I never hear the radiator fan kicking in at all. There is no switch (that I can see) on the radiator.
No loss of coolant or leaks.
I've checked fuses and sensor connections at fuel filter. If I remove the brown connection the left hand fan comes on. The aircon switch does nothing except light up ! I'm not too worried about this but am more worried about overheating and blowing the head gasket. Not sure where to start as I'm not sure how the system is supposed to work. Any ideas welcomed.
Xantia cooling system
Moderator: RichardW
This fault is my little favourite.
The right hand fan or its relay or connections are faulty.
At about 90ºC, both fans should come on at the low speed.
At the low speed, they are in series, so if one doesn't work, the other one won't either.
Turning on the air conditioner should also switch both fans to the low speed.
At about 100ºC, or when the brown sensor is disconnected, both fans should spin at the high speed.
Check the relay connectors behind the front grill.
Here is the map, where right fan means as it's seen from the driver's seat:
http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/v ... hp?t=17012
The right hand fan or its relay or connections are faulty.
At about 90ºC, both fans should come on at the low speed.
At the low speed, they are in series, so if one doesn't work, the other one won't either.
Turning on the air conditioner should also switch both fans to the low speed.
At about 100ºC, or when the brown sensor is disconnected, both fans should spin at the high speed.
Check the relay connectors behind the front grill.
Here is the map, where right fan means as it's seen from the driver's seat:
http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/v ... hp?t=17012
2002 C5 2.0i AL4 230,000 km 76372389
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Peter.N.
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Hi Clogzz
Does the same apply to the XM, only the fans on my last one never worked, I didn't find out until I got stuck in a traffic jam in France, and then it boiled!
The one I have now does the opposite, I can be driving along at 20 mph through the lanes and the over temperature light and both fans come on when the temperature gauge isn't even up to normal!
Boy, its cold here, hasn't been above freezing all day.
Peter.
Does the same apply to the XM, only the fans on my last one never worked, I didn't find out until I got stuck in a traffic jam in France, and then it boiled!
The one I have now does the opposite, I can be driving along at 20 mph through the lanes and the over temperature light and both fans come on when the temperature gauge isn't even up to normal!
Boy, its cold here, hasn't been above freezing all day.
Peter.
Hello Peter,
The same applies to the more recent XM's.
The fault you have, is that the pins of the Bitron fan controller need a good scrape.
There may also be an intermittency in the wiring of the brown temperature sensor.
Here are the threads that I've found this far:
http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/v ... p?p=108856
http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/v ... p?p=105631
http://www.aussiefrogs.com/forum/showthread.php?t=31080
Sorry to read that you're freezing.
From what I recall, it's a bit late in the season to be that cold.
Today's official temperature here was 31ºC.
That's measured at the nearby airport, under cover on a grassy patch, and in the seabreeze.
It was 33ºC inside the house.
More of the same for tomorrow.
Regards,
Terry.
The same applies to the more recent XM's.
The fault you have, is that the pins of the Bitron fan controller need a good scrape.
There may also be an intermittency in the wiring of the brown temperature sensor.
Here are the threads that I've found this far:
http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/v ... p?p=108856
http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/v ... p?p=105631
http://www.aussiefrogs.com/forum/showthread.php?t=31080
Sorry to read that you're freezing.
From what I recall, it's a bit late in the season to be that cold.
Today's official temperature here was 31ºC.
That's measured at the nearby airport, under cover on a grassy patch, and in the seabreeze.
It was 33ºC inside the house.
More of the same for tomorrow.
Regards,
Terry.
2002 C5 2.0i AL4 230,000 km 76372389
Hi, Thanks for reply. Tried cleaning the relay terminals and switching the green relays around and they seem ok. It looks like the right hand fan is faulty. Any tips on how to check or on how to get the fan unit out without dismantling the whole front of the car ! As a temporary measure (I need the car daily) I'm thinking of bodging a manual override to switch the left fan on when stuck in traffic. Any thoughts
The motor can be tested by applying 12 Volts and earth to the socket.
The fault is likely to be in the middle relay contacts.
The middle relay is used for both fans at the low speed, and for the right hand fan at the high speed.
Pull out and bridge pins 3 & 4.
Turn on aircon to check for low speed.
The middle relay, or 'change-over relay' may be the same as the green ones, if they have 5 pins.
The fan blades unscrew clockwise, with a left-handed thread.
The back of the fan motors can then be reached with a small 10 mm pipe spanner.
It's tight, but feasible.
A bodgie to switch the fan is a brilliant idea !
Fan repair story here:
http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/v ... hp?t=10752
The fault is likely to be in the middle relay contacts.
The middle relay is used for both fans at the low speed, and for the right hand fan at the high speed.
Pull out and bridge pins 3 & 4.
Turn on aircon to check for low speed.
The middle relay, or 'change-over relay' may be the same as the green ones, if they have 5 pins.
The fan blades unscrew clockwise, with a left-handed thread.
The back of the fan motors can then be reached with a small 10 mm pipe spanner.
It's tight, but feasible.
A bodgie to switch the fan is a brilliant idea !
Fan repair story here:
http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/v ... hp?t=10752
2002 C5 2.0i AL4 230,000 km 76372389
That sounds like the very best idea !
There are some considerations though.
1) If the radiator jackets are plastic, how does it go ?
2) The aircon switch will have to be wired to start the fans.
3) The thermostat will have to be arranged so that it can't be 'maladjusted'.
There are some considerations though.
1) If the radiator jackets are plastic, how does it go ?
2) The aircon switch will have to be wired to start the fans.
3) The thermostat will have to be arranged so that it can't be 'maladjusted'.
2002 C5 2.0i AL4 230,000 km 76372389