Fan is running really fast and the cars been off for hours

[A Guy]

This is new.
I just went out back of the store and my fan was running really fast.  The car's been sitting off for 3 hours.  I had to "burp" the system after "attempting" to replace my thermostat on the way in and i thought all was well.  
I started the car and it almost didn't start cause I expect the fan's been running for a while.  The fan slows when the car is running.  If I turn off the car it speeds up again.  if I unplug at the base of the rad it stops.  But somethings screwy.  Help is much appreciated so I don't have to sleep in the store tonight.  I didn't bring extra underwear.  

[A Guy]

Bad temp sensor ?? something?  
I don't want to through parts at it but it's really acting weird.  I'll post tomorrow and update as to how the drive went.
Out.
Greg

[irdiver]

replace the sensor at the base of your radiator, i had to to that on mine.  with the old sensor the fan would just keep running until the battery died, not good.  i think the sensor is under $15US a cheap thing to try and will probably fix the issue.

[A Guy]

Thanks what I had been thinking.  
I have one coming in this aft.

[BlackTieTD]

could be bad wiring. my fan did that in the summer... so i unplugged it. plugged it back in a few weeks later on a hot day and the problem hasn't returned. thats US rabbit electrics for you though.....

something to consider if the sensor doesn't fix it.

[A Guy]

Do you guys know where a seal would go for this app?  VW is trying to sell me a seal for this switch.  Any quick info is much appreciated.
Out.

[chrissev]

Do you guys know where a seal would go for this app?  VW is trying to sell me a seal for this switch.  Any quick info is much appreciated.
Out.

the seal goes behind the temp sensor switch.  It is usually a metal type seal.  The old switch will have one behind it.  You need a seal, and you may or may not be able to use the old seal, depending on how rotten it is and whether or not you can get it off the old switch.  Are they charging a lot for it?  The fan has a very simple design.  It is wired directly to the fusebox through a brown wire that goes into the car through the same black tube that the headlight wires go in through.  The fan has continuous power supplied to it, and the only thing that keeps it from running is the coolant temperature sensor in the base of the radiator.  If this fails, the fan will run all the time.  Is your car air conditioned?  With the air conditioned cars, the fan turns on whenever the A/C is on.  So if you have A/C it might be a problem with the A/C switch or the wiring.

[A Guy]

Thanks Chris.
I figured it out.  I would have called it a washer but I supose it is more of a seal.  That's where my confusion came from.  I got one from a buddy who owns a parts supply store here in ottawa and his version included the seal.  I don't have air.  I'm sure the switch is toast I'll get it put in tomorrow.  I have to take it to Cdn Tire to get my thermo replaced as I endded up snaping the head off one of the two bolts of the thermo cover!
 :oops:   :x .  I couldn't beleive it!  Hardly any muscle on a little sockett and it came right off.  I probably should have geated it but never thought it would have been that torqued.  Now it has to be extracted and I don't have the time 'till Sunday and don't really want to make the time either.  
Man!  I can't wait 'till that manual comes in.    
Out.

[chrissev]

Thanks Chris.
I figured it out.  I would have called it a washer but I supose it is more of a seal.  That's where my confusion came from.  I got one from a buddy who owns a parts supply store here in ottawa and his version included the seal.  I don't have air.  I'm sure the switch is toast I'll get it put in tomorrow.  I have to take it to Cdn Tire to get my thermo replaced as I endded up snaping the head off one of the two bolts of the thermo cover!
 :oops:   :x .  I couldn't beleive it!  Hardly any muscle on a little sockett and it came right off.  I probably should have geated it but never thought it would have been that torqued.  Now it has to be extracted and I don't have the time 'till Sunday and don't really want to make the time either.  
Man!  I can't wait 'till that manual comes in.    
Out.

aha, yeah been there done that.  The bolts go into the bottom of the water pump.  Interestingly enough, I was able, after snapping a bolt on one of my diesel rabbit water pump thermostat housings, to remove the bolt after heating it with a torch, simply by turning the broken end of the bolt with a plumber's wrench (the end of the bolt will stick out of the pump a bit once you remove the thermostat housing cover).  The bolt is not in tight, it is just full of crap from the cooling system.  Only thing you have to watch is don't use too much heat or you will melt the water pump's internal plastic parts.
RE: the manual:  mailed on the 3rd of April.  Hopefully Canada post has sped up their service a bit.

[A Guy]

Really.  I was so discouraged after that happened I left it.  I'll be sure to tell the guys doing the change tomorrow.  I'm glad no drilling needs to be done.
Re the manual.  It just came in.  Thanks!!!!! Great wrapping BTW!!!
out.

[BlackTieTD]

have you had good luck with canadian tire before? the reason i ask is that around here thats the last place you want to go. if you've found a good c-tire up there then thats excellent. i've heard so many bad stories it would be nice to hear a few good ones! i'm worried they will mess things up on you.....  

[A Guy]

don't go say'n that.  
Actually I hear you on C-tire and their track record.  I go to one near home in a small town.  Shop rates are still way below city store rates and they have two of 5 guys that I trust one I've know since I was knee high to him - now he's chest high to me  :lol: I always ask them to do the work when I'm there.  I'm normally DIY kind of guy.  Self employment has got me tired these days.  
I plan on speaking with him prior to doing the work and letting him know what I expect.  
Cross your fingers for me.   Please.
Out.

[chrissev]

good luck with it.  tell the mechanic to heat the stub end of the broken bolt, then work it loose with a small plumber's pipe wrench.  The plumber's wrench is designed so that the harder you push, the harder it grabs whatever it is holding onto.  I once took a broken lug bolt out of the front wheel hub of a 91 fox using a plumber's wrench and a gas torch.  They work!

[BlackTieTD]

don't go say'n that.  
Actually I hear you on C-tire and their track record.  I go to one near home in a small town.  Shop rates are still way below city store rates and they have two of 5 guys that I trust one I've know since I was knee high to him - now he's chest high to me  :lol: I always ask them to do the work when I'm there.  I'm normally DIY kind of guy.  Self employment has got me tired these days.  
I plan on speaking with him prior to doing the work and letting him know what I expect.  
Cross your fingers for me.   Please.
Out.

haha  :lol: got ya all scared did i?
i'm sure it will be fine if you know the guy and you talk to him. good luck man!  :lol:

[A Guy]

You had to go and say something eh! :lol:
So I showed up early for my 8am appointment.  Walked in and the guy hadn't written me in!
So all my worrry for not.  It looks like I'll be getting under her this weekend and getting dirty after all.  Some say everything happens for a reason ya?
Out.