F'ing thermoswitch $#@!%

[ds475]

it's been raining today, lightly, and i noticed when i got out of my car this morning at the office that my radiator fans were on. my engine temp wasn't even over 1/2 way, but i was just like, whatever. i go to work, leave 3 hours later for lunch, and the bastards are STILL ON! i try to start my car, of course, it won't start. i turn off my cd player, and i'm about to pop my hood and disconnect my radiator fans, but my car started after the cd player went off.

question is, is the rain related to this? (i don't know HOW it could be)

my thermoswitch isn't very old, i replaced it less than 3 monthes ago. has anyone ever heard of thermoswitches getting stuck on?

if i disconnect the wires going to the thermoswitch, they go off, so i KNOW it's the t-switch

i'm pissed.
someone help, please.
thanks.

[Wrecked944]

Check the thermoswitch relay. If I recall correctly, it is a huge silver one at the back of the fuse box. Sometimes they go bad even if the switches are good. You can pull it out as a temporary fix to avoid draining your battery. But in Texas, I would not leave the switches disconnected for very long.

[ds475]

reconnected the power to my t-switch, and drove, then got out and left it to see if it would do what it's supposed to, and it did, it went off. i don't know, must've fixed itself...

[Sabyre]

944.615.113.01 - Thats what you need. I can just about garantee it. It's the AC/Thermo switch relay. I had the EXACT same problem. I could "tap" the relay with my foot and it would come out of it and work for a while but eventually it will need replacement.

If you look at your relay panel it is the first one in the upper left corner.

Under $40 online.

[gtroth]

If they run all night, they'll definately kill your battery (happened to me), so you'll probably want to keep a close eye on it for a while. I got good at pulling the fuses when I stopped for long until I could get to the repair. Some people pull the giant relay.

I hope you are lucky and it was just the connection (sounds like it).

[Frank B]

Dude,
Sounds like your relay is going, when it developes an intermittent behavior pattern, replace it. I ordered one from pelican for over $100.00 but you may find one on ebay for less, BUT it may not be correct or new. The relay controls the function of the thermofan switch. Eventually you will just keep drainging your battery, which sucks.

[SoCal Driver]

Frankie he has an early model 944. Doesn't have the expensive relay.

[Frank B]

Is an 86 an early model? and since when is a $116.00 part for any car considered cheap? (LOL) Now I have 2 perfectly working relays since I purchased the relay before finding out about the Thermofan switch, which is why I mentioned that cenario above.
Hey socal, where does one find cheap(er) parts for a 944, besides ebay, which can be sketchy at times. Don;t get me wrong here, I'm all for supporting the BBS and evrything it provides for us Porsche enthusiasts ( how p.c. was that definition?) but if I can get parts cheaper, well, I'm game.

No sweat off of my balls
Frank B

[Sabyre]

82 - 85/1 = Early Model
85/2 - 91 = Late Model

[Frank B]

Sabyre,
I just looked at your link My944.NetFirms.com . Sharp looking car.
Just wanted to pass on some Kudos, nice car.

[Sabyre]

Hey thanks. I can't wait to finish the website.

[SoCal Driver]

Nothing more expensive than a cheap Porsche.

If it's electrical I bite the bullet and buy new. Pelican, RennBay, e
dealer, local.

Dealer is a two year warrenty on electrical.

The shot gun approach to repair, throwing a lot of parts at it, is not the way to keep your money. You have to use a test plan. Some are descibed in the factory manuals. Some you will find on owners websites such as www.frwilk.com or www.clarks-garage.com.

[Frank B]

Alright,
I always go to a reliable source also. Reason I was asking about pricing VS. sketchy parts/resources, is I saw a post here that mentioned someone buying a new Thermofan relay for something like $16.00.
I saw the post a few eeks ago, and just blew it off as someone not being accurate as to what they posted because I didn't recognize the users ID. I haven't seen the post since. As far as being cheap, If I could get parts for less that are spec'd for the car, I'd buy em.
If there is a valid source for parts that are dramatically cheaper than say.. Pelican for example, I'd buy them, as far as I know Pelican doesn't offer any warranties on the parts that they sell. I received nothing in my package regarding any Warranty.
I suck,
Frank B

[Sabyre]

My 944.615.113.01 was 45$$$ at the dealer. It was my problem as I am sure it is DS's.

[Frank B]

I've read ( here) that the pre 85 1/2 944 thermofan relay's are less than 1/2 the price of post 85 1/2 944 Porsche's.
I'm confused now,
Frank B

[SoCal Driver]

Originally posted by Frank B
I've read ( here) that the pre 85 1/2 944 thermofan relay's are less than 1/2 the price of post 85 1/2 944 Porsche's.

I'm confused now,


Frank B

We understand Frank. We understand.

[franks1]

i have the same problem, but it is winter(snowing) here and i have not taken the time to check. i have the late 85 so i am preparing for the worst, makes it easier when the money flies outta my pocket.