Electric fan failure
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Electric fan failure
This is not yet another problem on the GTC, I sold it.
It's the boss's Calibra which I always think is a modern car (it's the newest we have!) but is even so nearly 30 years old ...
The car boiled just after driving into the garage yesterday and I noticed the fan wasn't running.
Amazing that it didn't happen in the back country half an hour earlier.
Today I checked the fan, then the connections.
When I short out the terminals of the temperature sender the fan starts.
Presumably this is the culprit ? but it is so hot that my brain has boiled just like that car and I need a second opinion.
About the car, not my brain.
It's the boss's Calibra which I always think is a modern car (it's the newest we have!) but is even so nearly 30 years old ...
The car boiled just after driving into the garage yesterday and I noticed the fan wasn't running.
Amazing that it didn't happen in the back country half an hour earlier.
Today I checked the fan, then the connections.
When I short out the terminals of the temperature sender the fan starts.
Presumably this is the culprit ? but it is so hot that my brain has boiled just like that car and I need a second opinion.
About the car, not my brain.
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Chris Johnson
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Electric fan failure
I’d say that was the culprit, yes. 

Jim King
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Electric fan failure
Many thanks for the quick responses !
Chris Johnson
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Electric fan failure
Nothing is ever simple.
The only place I can find this part on internet is on a russian site
https://www.avito.ru/moskva/zapchasti_i ... _769252956
Can anyone help with another source / alternative ?
Part number ELTH 264207
The only place I can find this part on internet is on a russian site

https://www.avito.ru/moskva/zapchasti_i ... _769252956
Can anyone help with another source / alternative ?
Part number ELTH 264207
Chris Johnson
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Electric fan failure
Check some of these?
Jim King
SECURE DRY STORAGE FOR YOUR SCIMITAR
Current: SE5 (8Ball), TI SS1 (snotty), 1600 SS1 (G97), 1600 SS1 (C686CCR), 2.5TD SE5a (diesel 5a), 6 x random other SS1s.
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CURE THE FAULT - NOT THE SYMPTOMS
SECURE DRY STORAGE FOR YOUR SCIMITAR
Current: SE5 (8Ball), TI SS1 (snotty), 1600 SS1 (G97), 1600 SS1 (C686CCR), 2.5TD SE5a (diesel 5a), 6 x random other SS1s.
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Chief mechanic for: 1400 K series SS1 (Megan3), 1400 CVH EFi SS1 (Grawpy), 1300 SS1 (Number One) & Sarah's coupe.
CURE THE FAULT - NOT THE SYMPTOMS
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Electric fan failure
Ok thanks I found one.
The secret is not to search Calibra and certainly not the part number
The site where I eventually found it lists six equivalent model numbers - but not the one I have, which is I think genuine Opel.
The secret is not to search Calibra and certainly not the part number

The site where I eventually found it lists six equivalent model numbers - but not the one I have, which is I think genuine Opel.
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Chris Johnson
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Electric fan failure
The part arrived ok and is the right size, but it has three terminals instead of two on the old one.
The plug also has three terminals but one was not connected before.
I connected it anyway and ran the car up to temperature - and beyond.
The fan didn't even notice.
I checked again the connections, shorting pins 1 and 2 kicks the fan into life.
I wonder if the pin-out on the three-pin sender is different, if it works on pin 1 and 3 instead of 1 and 2.
Anyone know?
And if I bridge 2 and 3 will I damage anything?
If I don't fix it soon I will have to go and buy paving flags and cement in the Coupé ...
The plug also has three terminals but one was not connected before.
I connected it anyway and ran the car up to temperature - and beyond.
The fan didn't even notice.
I checked again the connections, shorting pins 1 and 2 kicks the fan into life.
I wonder if the pin-out on the three-pin sender is different, if it works on pin 1 and 3 instead of 1 and 2.
Anyone know?
And if I bridge 2 and 3 will I damage anything?
If I don't fix it soon I will have to go and buy paving flags and cement in the Coupé ...
Chris Johnson
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Electric fan failure
If it’s got 3 pins my guess is for a two speed (or twin) fan which GM liked - one at “hot” and one at “nearly boiling”.
Do you posses a Haynes or similar manual (if not for a Calibra then the equivalent Vauxhall Cavalier/Opel Vectra)? The wiring diagram might give a clue - may be single speed/fan on the 8v and twins for the 16v?
Safest would be testing it out of the car using a meter and a pot of boiling water - at least one pair of contacts should close by about 95 degrees, be it 1&2, 2&3 or 1&3..
Do you posses a Haynes or similar manual (if not for a Calibra then the equivalent Vauxhall Cavalier/Opel Vectra)? The wiring diagram might give a clue - may be single speed/fan on the 8v and twins for the 16v?
Safest would be testing it out of the car using a meter and a pot of boiling water - at least one pair of contacts should close by about 95 degrees, be it 1&2, 2&3 or 1&3..
Phil Howard
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Electric fan failure
Thanks Phil
Seems a strange idea to switch on one fan than when it doesn't cool the engine switch on another
I'll try to test it on the car - I've already killed half the 'lawn' in front of the garage with antifreeze.
If I connect trailing wires to the sensor before heating everything up it shouldn't be too hazardous.
Seems a strange idea to switch on one fan than when it doesn't cool the engine switch on another

I'll try to test it on the car - I've already killed half the 'lawn' in front of the garage with antifreeze.
If I connect trailing wires to the sensor before heating everything up it shouldn't be too hazardous.
Chris Johnson
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Electric fan failure
Chris the Two stage cooling system was also fitted to Middlebridge.
Pain in the arse to get it to work correctly and cool the car quickly.
I converted one to a single switch type that cuts in around 85 instead of 95.
It was Ironically from a BX, which is also the high flow fan that I replaced the rather large but not very powerfull Facet type that in place.
The BX also comes with Two or Three Lucar tabs, so I picked the twin type and the car ran beautiful all the way and back from Silverstone this weekend for the 30th MB Anniversary.
And as it uses Lucar tabs it was simples to wire in and test.
Pain in the arse to get it to work correctly and cool the car quickly.
I converted one to a single switch type that cuts in around 85 instead of 95.
It was Ironically from a BX, which is also the high flow fan that I replaced the rather large but not very powerfull Facet type that in place.
The BX also comes with Two or Three Lucar tabs, so I picked the twin type and the car ran beautiful all the way and back from Silverstone this weekend for the 30th MB Anniversary.
And as it uses Lucar tabs it was simples to wire in and test.
Mark Wilson. See the Beast on youtube under" RELIANT SCIMITAR CONVERSION LOL.,Three Se5a, Se6a, Two Se6b`s,1 & 1/2 GTC`s & not a lot of sense
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Electric fan failure
Well, either I'm missing the point completely or the new sender doesn't work
This is basically a temperature-activated switch, right?
So as Phil says at least two of the three wires should make contact at 95-ish degrees.
I ran the car up to 100 degrees on the gauge, which has always been pretty accurate.
And no contact whatsoever between 1&2, 1&3, 2&3
Unfortunately I threw away the carton so can't send the bloody thing back.
But perhaps I should look at Jim's links above ...

This is basically a temperature-activated switch, right?
So as Phil says at least two of the three wires should make contact at 95-ish degrees.
I ran the car up to 100 degrees on the gauge, which has always been pretty accurate.
And no contact whatsoever between 1&2, 1&3, 2&3
Unfortunately I threw away the carton so can't send the bloody thing back.
But perhaps I should look at Jim's links above ...
Chris Johnson
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Electric fan failure
Have now wired the fan permanently on
and ordered one of these
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Radiator-Fan ... SwdAxZbUWI

and ordered one of these
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Radiator-Fan ... SwdAxZbUWI
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Chris Johnson
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