coolant fan runs all the time after radiator change

[dyoungen]

I have the 1985 Diesel Jetta with a 1.6, 5 sp and a/c. After I installed the new radiator the fan runs all the time. Before the change it would run only when the motor got warmed up. I checked the plug on the radiator, drivers side and lower, and It looks like it would only go on one way. Will it hurt the fan to run all the time the motor runs?

[burn_your_money]

Yes you will wear it out, along with your alternator.

Did you swap thermo switches when you swapped the alternator?

[casanis]

Cabin heater control set to defrost?

Happened to me once

[dyoungen]

Not sure if the cabin fan was set at. The fan did stop running all the time I noticed last night. It did run for a short time after I shut off the engine when I got home last night. I think there are gremlins in the electrical system. The car sat for awhile before I bought it so I"m thinking some contacts are dirty. Like today, the glow plug light started cycling while I was driving down the road. Not on full time, just flashing on for a few seconds at a time then it would quit then start again. Some times it would light when the turn signal light was flashing. I know the coolant tank wouldn't cause it but the tank is leaking a little and after trying to fix it with no luck, I ordered another one.

[rabbitman]

My gp light started that same thing when the body ground to battery came loose.

[dyoungen]

I guess I"ll check the ground strap tomorrow. Strange how things show up. I was trying the bright switch and the seat belt light came on for a few minuets. Tonight the GP light only came on when I started the jetta, not after it was running. I'm going to ask a really dumb question. What is the reason for the shifter handle to be able to be pushed down? Is there something I'm missing?

[rabbitman]

I'm going to ask a really dumb question. What is the reason for the shifter handle to be able to be pushed down? Is there something I'm missing?

Um......it's supposed to not be able to go into reverse unless the shifter is depressed, so you can't accidentally hit reverse and wreck the tranny. I'd assume something is out of adjustment.

I don't know what it looks like on a mk2 but on my rabbit I gotta go underneath to see the mechanism.

[dyoungen]

Ok, understand about the shifter. I did find that one of the wires that is seperate from the main ground cable was loose. I only drove it for a short time after I tightened it and the glo plug light never did come on after that.

[rabbitman]

Ok, understand about the shifter. I did find that one of the wires that is seperate from the main ground cable was loose. I only drove it for a short time after I tightened it and the glo plug light never did come on after that.

Good deal

[dyoungen]

Today, Christmas eve, I drove almost 70 miles running errands and the only time the glow plug light came on was when I first started it. I think the loose ground wire was the problem. Even the intermittant lights comming on have stopped. Loose wire, I"ll have to remember that.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!!

[ozzie]

I think the bently manual says the glow plug indicator light on the dash will flash if you have water in your fuel.  Mine has done that a couple times.  I changesd the fuel filter and drained the water seperator - all better.  Just a thought.

Oz