overheating problem

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overheating problem - 5/20/2008 5:25:46 AM

msfaam

Posts: 1
Joined: 5/20/2008
Status: offline

Okay, so you know how the fan on the mini kicks in every once in a while. Well mine has stopped doing it, and gets hot quick. I've stopped driving it. I had it at a good shop, and they couldn't figure it out. What could the problem be? I think they checked the thermastat, and fuses. What is the difference between the fan/cooling in a mini and a normal car?
thanks,
Lewis

Post #: 1

RE: overheating problem - 5/24/2008 9:41:24 PM

bholmes

Posts: 6
Joined: 5/24/2008
Status: offline

I don't own a MINI so I really don't know with them, but on my porsche there is a coolant temp switch that kicks the fans on. It's on the radiator, if it goes bad the fans either won't work or wont shut off. You may see if the mini has something like that.

(in reply to msfaam)

Post #: 2

RE: overheating problem - 5/24/2008 11:19:30 PM

cougsfan

Posts: 151
Joined: 10/18/2006
Status: offline

I have never had this problem on my mini, but I have in other vehicles. I think they are all about the same.
First I would check the thermostat to make sure it closes and opens with temperature. A pot of hot water works good for this.
Then if I were sure the thermostat were OK, I would check out the fan circuitry.
A normal check out for this would seemingly be in this order; 1) Check to see if the coolant temp switch is getting power. If it doesn't have power, you probably have a bad fuse or connection 2) check to see if the switch is good (low temp; no continuity, high temp; continuity) There are probably 2 switches, one to turn the fan on, a second to turn on the over temperature light. I watched a friend check out his fan switch on his motorcycle a few weeks ago. He did it by checking the continuity cold to be sure it didn't pass current, then dipped it in boiling water for a while, and pulled it out and quickly re-checked it to see that it did pass current after it was plenty hot. 3) If the fan is geting juice and still doesn't run, check the fan motor and also check the fan motor grounding.

(in reply to bholmes)

Post #: 3

RE: overheating problem - 5/25/2008 6:39:49 AM

bholmes

Posts: 6
Joined: 5/24/2008
Status: offline

^ excellent advise. I'd only add that when you test it in a hot pot of water, include a thermometer to make sure that you're in the range in which the thermostat should be opening. In otherwords you need to know you're water is hot enough or that the thermostat is not opening to late because that can goof up your cooling cycle. Anyone know what temp the thermostats open up? Also on my porsche I was able to get a lowwer temp thermostat and thermostatic fan switch. Depending on the cost these may be good investments regardless if you have problems with the car heating up.

(in reply to cougsfan)

Post #: 4

RE: overheating problem - 5/29/2008 12:11:03 PM

drifter28

Posts: 4
Joined: 5/29/2008
Status: offline

Hi, new here. The electric fan is a bit more complicated. There are several sensors that control it. In the top of the motor, near the upper radiator hose, there is at least one temperature switch that turns the fan on based on coolant temperature. There is a pressure switch located in the A/C drier that turns the fan on when the AC becomes overloaded. A simple check is to short the leads going to one of these switches. If the fan doesn't come on, it's a good bet that the fuse and fan resistor are burned out. The fuse will be in the electrical center (along with the relay, which is also worth checking). The resistor is probably located somewhere on the left inner fender. The fan itself could also be burned out or the bearing gummed up. The fan motors are rebuildable, but it's not the easiest job.

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(in reply to bholmes)

Post #: 5