So I just had my coolant tank split Friday night in mainly stopped traffic and it was like 8F outsite. Didn't seem to loose a lot of coolant, just what was in the tank, and I put in a new tank and cap yesterday afternoon and topped off the coolant. High speed fan did come on when the car started to overheat.

So I ran the car for 15-20 minutes, its about 45F right now, car warmed up, left the heater on full and the fan never came one, switch the a/c on and turned it down to low (automatic cooling controls off) and still no fan after 20 minutes of idling.

So I am a little confused, I thought the low speed fan mode was supposed to come on? Good news is I don't over heat at idle anymore.

Before this, like 2 weeks ago, I had my water pump, thermostat, thermostat housing and all new hoses in the front installed along with a new fan and shroud since my old one had the burned out resistor, also replaced the PS pump and cooling fan for it.

So is there a sure fire way to get the low speed fan on?

 

Easiest way is to use a scangauge or similar to plug into the OBDII connector - this will tell you what your water temps are.

It's very likely your low speed fan died - there are several threads on this. You can try to replace the resistor, but to me it made more sense just to replace the entire fan.

 

Do you really think it would burn out that fast after 2 weeks? Yeah, I think that the scan gauge will be my next purchase...

Thanks!

 

AC won't come on sometimes in low temps. I would bring it back to the installer and ask them to look at it. You may have to bleed the system to get the air out of the hoses.

 

Sorry, I missed that you had it replaced. No, it shouldn't fail that quickly. As HRM said, if it's that cold out, it's possible the engine just isn't warm enough to warrant it.
Check out ultragauge as well - there's a post on it here.

 

Is that scangauge really a requirement to check water temps?

Ever since I found the Service Manuals I check my water temps from time to time through the on-board diagnostics.

I suppose that the real-time readings I get from the On-board computer would be the same readings that get sent through the OBDII connector right?

Thanks!
RayanMX

 

Yes, RayanMX, the OBD does the same thing. SG just makes it easier.

 

Ok great!

Thanks!

 

Rayanmx
Could you please share the procedure for checking the water temps thru the on-board diagnostics.
Thanks, Steve

 

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...924-post5.html

 

Thank you for posting the link Mini53, I should have post it on my previous post, but totally overlooked it.

There you go The Itch, it's really easy and very interesting to watch some of your MINI electronics in action!

Regards,
RayanMX

 

Not a problem.

Once the weather gets warmer and I have to use the A/C I will investigate this further. The new fan/labor have a 1 year warranty.

 

mini53, Rayanmx
Thanks for the information and the links. I will try this out when my MINI comes off of winter vacation. Is their a correct way to exit this? Just shut off the car and pull the key?
Thanks, Steve