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flyerx88x
01-18-2008, 11:31 PM
I was messing around with electrical connectors to the radiator because my "Check Coolant Level" message came on. There was a problem with the connection to the lower electrical sensor, which I fixed. However, there is an upper electrical connector/sensor that's attached to a large brass nut near the top of the radiator. See picture below. WHAT IS THIS FOR? I can't seem to get it reconnected properly. It feels like I have to force it back in.
e30s50tony
01-19-2008, 01:12 AM
colant temp sensor/aux fan switch
flyerx88x
01-22-2008, 03:52 PM
So if my fan is running it should be connected properly, right?
RRSperry
01-22-2008, 07:21 PM
Yes if the fan works it's right. THe lower connector on the expansion tank is the low level light.
chandlerseattle
01-22-2008, 07:45 PM
Fan switch.

Not to hijack the thread or anything but I have NEVER heard/seen my aux fan on. Ever.

Should I be worried? I have replaced the fan switch with a lower temp one and still it never comes on. Anyone else experiance this?
flyerx88x
01-22-2008, 08:04 PM
Stupid question, but we're talking about the main fan in the front, center of the car right? When you say auxiliary I wonder if we're talking about a separate fan for the A/C, which was the case in my other car.

Thanks!
todor
01-22-2008, 10:13 PM
Stupid question, but we're talking about the main fan in the front, center of the car right? When you say auxiliary I wonder if we're talking about a separate fan for the A/C, which was the case in my other car.

Thanks!
The auxiliary fan is the electric one in front of the radiator (right behind the front bumper). It's not the belt-driven one between the engine and the radiator.

The aux fan turns itself on when the coolant is very hot or when you turn on the A/C.

Under normal conditions, you shouldn't see the aux fan turn on because of heat. Maybe if you drive aggressively on a highway for a while, with a lot of acceleration, and then get off the highway and park the car, leaving the engine on. After some idling, it should get pretty hot, especially if it's hot outside and if you don't have the belt-driven fan.
Or just go up some steep hills in relatively high gears - that'll heat up the engine too.