Hello there, long time no see, etc!

 

After sitting in some enormous queues with the heater on full for two hours to stop the car boiling up, I've decided it's about time I sorted out my radiator fan. I don't remember it ever working under my ownership - I'm guessing it is one of these fans which is meant to be "always on" in some way. Mine is completely dead and never moves.

 

Just wondered what the general checklist was to cure this - the only dead fan I've dealt with was on a Datsun Stanza and that just had a broken fan switch. Really not sure how to approach the fan on one of these, some kind of fancy clutch-based setup? Unsure and the Haynes manual is surprisingly unhelpful.

 

Here's a terrible shot of the engine bay if it helps any, just a standard old 4K setup:

 

And here is the car, it's a Daihatsu Charmant (KE70-based):

 

Let me know if any questions and I await your assistance.

 

Thanks.

looks like a thermo fan.......does it turn on when hooked up to power directly?

^Like said above, it has a thermo fan, not the stock engine fan and thats why the Haynes manual would be no help to you.

 

Either get a mate who handy with auto electrics to re-wire the thermo fan through a thermostat switch (or manually operated switch on the dash etc) and relay.

 

Or, try and track down a good condition ke70 engine fan. I say good condition as the '70 ones actually have a oil temperature/density system in them. Once the oil heats up to a certain temp it will enguage the fan and make it spin. If the oil system doesn't work (which happens a bit) they can just be locked up with a stategically placed screw. :)

You managed to sit in traffic for 2 hours, with the heater on, and didn't boil?!?!?!

 

Oh wait - UK weather... :)

 

Mate I'd piss off the thermo altogether and just put a solid mount fan on - wouldn't even bother trying to find a Viscous Clutch fan like Taz mentioned.

You managed to sit in traffic for 2 hours, with the heater on, and didn't boil?!?!?!

 

Oh wait - UK weather... :)

 

Mate I'd piss off the thermo altogether and just put a solid mount fan on - wouldn't even bother trying to find a Viscous Clutch fan like Taz mentioned.

 

 

The ke30/55 solid mount fans have a different bolt PCD so it actually won't fit on a ke70 water pump pulley.

 

If you really wanted to swap to a KE30/55 solid fan the easiest way to do it would probably be fitting a KE30/55 water pump. But then you'd end up stuffing around with heater hoses etc, as there so many different type of K water pumps. :)

Edited June 24, 200917 yr by Taz_Rx

Oh yeah I forgot about that. Not sure how I forgot, it gave me that much grief.

Keep the thermofan. Best setup there is imo. First thing to try : With ignition on, unplug the thermoswitch located on top of thermostat

 

housing. Does the fan start ?

Si, Some KE came Stock with thermo fans so Id keep it this is a stock one I can see the stock switch on the motor.

 

Id say the thermo fan could be dead. There cheap a aftermarket one will do fit easy.

 

I had issues with my KE30 over heating a while back turned out it was just a worn out radiator and the fan was running etc and still over heated so when doing the fan id even flush the radiator system will also increase its cooling efficiency.

 

Cheers

Cameron

buy a new thermofan, if it was hard wired, its probably burnt out, they don't like constant running.

then wire it up, as per diagram, if not theres a good diagram on toymods to help you out.

 

if not, as said, track down a thermofan, at worst, you can open them up, flush them out and refill them with silicon oil available from toyota. well you can with a nissan diesel 4.2, so i don't see why you can't with a K motor :)

Yeah I think it is the stock setup on these, certainly doesn't look cobbled on and wouldn't tie up with the rest of the car which is pretty much untouched (45K miles, elderly owner for 20+ years etc.).

 

Gave Tojo2's advice a shot and unplugged the sensor, fan fired straight up. Most interesting, glad the fan isn't dead. Sounds like either I need a new switch or it isn't in right, gives me something to go off at least. Will have a proper look at it later and keep you updated with the progress.

 

Cheers fellas!

Yes, switch not working. Toyota will have one.

 

You might find one in a scrapyard if you want to save a few bucks.

Yes, switch not working. Toyota will have one.

 

You might find one in a scrapyard if you want to save a few bucks.

Not in a UK scrapyard I won't, I'm lucky to see anything older than the mid-90s! Will see what I can do though, if anyone has any part numbers handy it'd be appreciated. Sure I'll be able to sort something out though.

You should be able to get a VDO switch to fit, is it fitted into the standard thermostat housing? I think it's an M16 thread.

Any one of these will fit. Toyota part numbers.

 

89428 SWITCH, TEMPERATURE DETECT, NO.2

 

89428-10040 KE70E..EUR; COOLING FAN, MARK=98B, COLD SPEC

 

89428-10040 KE70E..LHD..EUR; COOLING FAN, MARK=98B, COLD SPEC

 

89428-10050 KE70E..EUR; COOLING FAN, MARK=98B

 

89428-30030 KE70E..EUG; COOLING FAN, MARK=95B

Easy to find a switch. I forget the thread in a K thermo stat housing think it was about M15 X 1.25mm I think not 100% sure. But I went to a wrecker and every second car has this thread and a sensor similar jsut get any sensor that fits and switches right. Some switch using 2 terminals, others switch to ground etc has to be right type also some turn off when hot so don't want fan going off when car gets hot..LOL

 

But you can also buy them new here still in Australia I did the other week for $20 AU. So try a local parts shop.

 

Cheers

Cameron