John Martin 3 Posted July 27, 2019 Report Share Posted July 27, 2019 What is normal operation of the three fans when the AC is turned on? I would expect the fan behind the condenser fans to come on when the AC is turned on. It does not come on and I get the Fan Fail light until the coolant gets hot enough then all three fans come on and the Fan Fail light extinguishes. 1985 Esprit N/A Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CarBuff 206 Posted July 28, 2019 Report Share Posted July 28, 2019 All three fans should come on at the same time, either with hot coolant temps, or with the A/C selected. Check for bad relays; also make sure you don't have any 'melted' plastic in the relay sockets that could result in loose connections. Quote Atwell Haines '88 Esprit Succasunna, NJ USA Link to post Share on other sites
John Martin 3 Posted August 1, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 1, 2019 OK....I've been digging around in my car (1985 Esprit S3). To summarize, all three fans kick in with the temp sensor, but they do not turn on when the AC is switched on. Actually, it is intermittent, every now and then the fans kick in with the AC... According to the Lotus Esprit Service Notes, page 457, the AC compressor relay should be under the dash below the steering wheel (RHD). No relay there, just some biggish box (wiper delay, I think), and some mystery switch, which is difficult to trace to where it goes, and doen't do anything noticeable. . Also, according to the wiring diagram that came with the car, there should be a double contact relay that gets power from either the ACU or the temperature sensor switch (this is the Otter switch, right?). Basically, I cannot find this double contact relay. Could it be in the binnacle, where the AC control is? I hope not because this panel seems difficult to get off without serious disassembly... I'm not an electrician, but looking at the schematic, could the diode between the ACU control and the double contact relay be intermittent or failed? Also, I live in Phoenix, AZ, very hot...should I put the cooler thermostat in? Thanks, I've only had this car for a week, love it, but just a couple little bugs. RelayLocation.bmp Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John Martin 3 Posted August 1, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 1, 2019 ....I finally found the fan relay...buried below the windshield fluid reservoir. I'll check it out... Still, what about the diode, and cooler thermostat? Also considering the cooler Otter switch. Thanks Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gis 233 Posted August 1, 2019 Report Share Posted August 1, 2019 I have changed my otter switch for the one for hotter climates John. I live in Singapore. It trips the fans earlier and keeps the water temp 15 deg C lower compared to the standard one. A steady 75-80 deg C on the gauge. Like it that way, works fine for me. Quote Ad initium Link to post Share on other sites
canamfan 21 Posted August 1, 2019 Report Share Posted August 1, 2019 PNM has the hotter climate Otter switch, which I've ordered as well, not because I'm having hot running issues, but to try it for the summer & see if it's any better to keep the Turbo Esprit cooler running (I've got a small air to air intercooler, larger carb jets & boost slightly up) runs great usually between 80 & 90 degrees celsius, however in long traffic jams it does creep up to 90/95 on 25+ hot days & I'm in Canada, not the hottest pace on Earth Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John Martin 3 Posted August 1, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 1, 2019 Thanks for the feedback....I ordered the hot climate switch and thermostat. John 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John Martin 3 Posted August 8, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 8, 2019 Update...I found the fan relay (a vintage 1984 Wehrle from West Germany) and just re-seated it and seems to work as it should now. I think I'll replace it though with a nice new Hella relay. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
910Esprit 587 Posted August 9, 2019 Report Share Posted August 9, 2019 (edited) On 01/08/2019 at 01:27, John Martin said: and some mystery switch, PS - That'll be the aerial switch - to either keep it permanently down or allow it to raise lower autmatically as radio switched on/off Edited August 9, 2019 by 910Esprit Quote Link to post Share on other sites
canamfan 21 Posted August 9, 2019 Report Share Posted August 9, 2019 Not sure of your specific set up, but my Esprit Turbo 1984 U.S. version with A./C (LHD of course) the fan relay is in the fusebox , left hand side of the driver ( out of 6 relays - A, B, C, D, E & F) it's position F bottom right . Should be able to find a diagram for your specific model Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John Martin 3 Posted August 13, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 13, 2019 Thanks....I got the aerial switch figured out...it works! My car, 1985 RHD S3 N/A the relay is up near the left headlight. I replaced with a new Hella 40Amp. John 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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