Cooling fans operation | FerrariChat

Cooling fans operation

Discussion in '308/328' started by JuLiTrO, Jul 27, 2018.

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  1. JuLiTrO

    JuLiTrO Formula Junior

    Nov 2, 2017
    383
    Full Name:
    Julio Saiz
    Dear all,

    Car is a 308 GTB '77

    Do the cooling fans operate with engine off? and key ignition on?

    Im actually straded. Temperature reach max in traffic jam.
    Some water came out from expansion tank, I believe

    Fuses look ok so far

    Thank you!
     
  2. maurice70

    maurice70 F1 Rookie

    Jan 25, 2004
    4,308
    Sydney
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    maurice T
    Yes,as long as the ignition switch is on and if the temperature is high enough,the fans will run even if the engine isn’t running..
     
  3. thorn

    thorn F1 Rookie
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    Aug 7, 2012
    3,322
    Tallahassee, FL
    Though with the engine off, the water pump isn't going to be exchanging hotter fluid for cooler.
     
  4. Dr Tommy Cosgrove

    Dr Tommy Cosgrove Three Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    May 4, 2001
    35,282
    Birmingham, AL
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    Tommy
    QV isn't wired this way.

    Either way doesn't matter. they don't have to be able to come on with the key off.
     
  5. thorn

    thorn F1 Rookie
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    Aug 7, 2012
    3,322
    Tallahassee, FL
    My QV fans run (at sufficient hot temp) with engine off + key on. Not that this aids in cooling down the engine, of course.
     
  6. JuLiTrO

    JuLiTrO Formula Junior

    Nov 2, 2017
    383
    Full Name:
    Julio Saiz
    Got it. Thank you guys
    I waited 30 mins and drove it back to the workshop, all highway so temp remained in good level.
    Confirmed fans dont run. We dont know cause yet
    Anyway she is safe now at least
    Thaaaaank you for quick replies!
     
  7. thorn

    thorn F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Aug 7, 2012
    3,322
    Tallahassee, FL
    Glad you made it back! Advice: since you blew coolant, consider replacing the cap if it's over a couple years old.
     
    JuLiTrO likes this.
  8. maurice70

    maurice70 F1 Rookie

    Jan 25, 2004
    4,308
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    maurice T
    That’s exactly how my 328 fans will run..
    And come to think of it l’m pretty sure my GT4 fans would do the same ..
     
  9. Dr Tommy Cosgrove

    Dr Tommy Cosgrove Three Time F1 World Champ
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    May 4, 2001
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    But when you turn the key off the fans cut off as well. I initially misunderstood his question because I just skimmed over the post. I thought he was asking something else until I just read it again.

    Water cooled VWs had fans factory wired independent of the key. I could park my scirocco, turn it off and lock it up and I would hear the fans kick back on for a few moments when walked passed it again coming back from the mailbox.
     
  10. kcabpilot

    kcabpilot Formula 3

    Apr 17, 2014
    1,527
    California SF bay area
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    Paul
    Some cars do have the fan circuit hot wired and they will run with the switch off and the key in your hand. I've never understood this nor have I been able to figure out what possible logic path led some engineer to decide it would be a good idea. I've shut the engine off, I'm walking away, I no longer require the cooling system to be controlled, it will cool down all by itself passively.

    Kind of like those headlights that stay on after you shut the car off. It just bugs me.
     
  11. Dr Tommy Cosgrove

    Dr Tommy Cosgrove Three Time F1 World Champ
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    May 4, 2001
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    I HATE when a dome light stays on a few moments. I am never sure if I just didnt leave it on. I always end up standing there staring at the car to be sure it cuts off
     
  12. PDB

    PDB Formula Junior

    Feb 1, 2011
    574
    Leicestershire, UK
    Full Name:
    Paul
    I noticed that the temperature was a little higher than normal on my GT4 last week and when I checked the fans, only one was running. Do they come on together or independently at different temperatures?

    Paul
     
  13. greyboxer

    greyboxer F1 World Champ

    Dec 8, 2004
    12,282
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    Jimmie
    I suspect like the GTB/GTS there are two switching options: with the a/c on one fan will be on whilst with the thermostat both come on

    Last week was a difficult week for 308s with very high ambient in the UK !

    At a guess your a/c was on so you need to check the thermostat on the radiator - short it with pliers or a paperclip or similar to check
     
  14. JuLiTrO

    JuLiTrO Formula Junior

    Nov 2, 2017
    383
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    Julio Saiz
    They have independent fuses. So check them, perhaps you lost one of them
     
  15. Dr Tommy Cosgrove

    Dr Tommy Cosgrove Three Time F1 World Champ
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    I wired mine to spin both fans over 20 years ago.

    Even that doesn't help in traffic on a QV in the deep south
     
  16. maurice70

    maurice70 F1 Rookie

    Jan 25, 2004
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    maurice T
    Did the same on my GT4 when l had it,,l wired both fans to run when either the A/C is on or when the temperature brings them on..
     
  17. PDB

    PDB Formula Junior

    Feb 1, 2011
    574
    Leicestershire, UK
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    Paul
    When I put a screwdriver across the thermostat terminals only the left fan started up, although the right fan stuttered.
    Both fuses and relays are okay.
    Probably a dodgy connection somewhere.
    We’re off to France in it in a couple of weeks, so I need to get it fixed.
     
  18. waymar

    waymar Formula 3

    Sep 2, 2008
    1,321
    Northeast, PA - USA
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    Wayne Martin
    My one fan stopped working. I disassembled the motor and found completely worn brushes. Easy fix. Did both motors while is was in there.
     
  19. PDB

    PDB Formula Junior

    Feb 1, 2011
    574
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    Paul
    They look pretty original, so that could well be it. I’ll order some new brushes in any case. Where did you get them from?
     
  20. Rosey

    Rosey F1 Rookie

    Nov 5, 2015
    3,587
    Australia
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    Mark R
    Works the same with my 1989 328 as well.
     
  21. JuLiTrO

    JuLiTrO Formula Junior

    Nov 2, 2017
    383
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    Julio Saiz
  22. Freddie328

    Freddie328 Formula Junior

    Jul 29, 2013
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    Herts, UK
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    Richard
    That's what happened to my 328. Suggest you check the thermostat by removing and bridging the wires,rather than placing a screwdriver across the terminals. That way you know there's enough contact to operate both fans.
     
  23. Jdubbya

    Jdubbya The $10 Trillion Man
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    Dec 28, 2003
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    I also made a small jumper with two female plugs with a short chunk of wire between that I could pull both leads off the lower temp sensor in the radiator, plug the jumper in and the fans would run constantly. I actually just ran across it a couple weeks ago when cleaning some stuff out in my garage. I always carried it with some tools in case the sensor ever went out. Wouldn't have helped much in your case with a burned fuse board but it could come in handy.
     
  24. Martin308GTB

    Martin308GTB F1 Rookie

    Jan 22, 2003
    4,212
    Black Forest Germany
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    Martin N.
    One reason I could read in a VW shop manual is, to prevent heat accumulation in the under bonnet area and therefore to avoid fuel vapor lock inside the lines and system components located in the engine bay.
    Of course, on the Ferrari it would make absolutely no sense with the fans far away from the engine and fuel delivery system.

    Best from Germany
    Martin
     
    thorn likes this.
  25. nerofer

    nerofer F1 World Champ

    Mar 26, 2011
    11,968
    FRANCE
    Indeed. And if you have fuel in the lines around the fans in your 308, something has gone very wrong when connecting the lines in the engine compartment...
    Rgds
     
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