Hi all I'm hoping this is the right place for help with my over heating problem,

I drive a Felicia 1.3 2000 and I've just noticed the Radiator fan never comes on, It doesn't seem to be a problem when I'm driving because the gauge never moves but if I have to stop in traffic the temperature goes way up,

So really my question is, should I be replacing the Thermostat or the radiator fan switch ?

I did wire up the fan from the battery and it works fine.

take it to a auto sparky it could be any wires from the fan to the battery

To test the rad fan I suggest you take the plug off the fan switch where ever that is and short the terminals out . If the fan cuts in then it's the switch, if not it'll be a more general wiring issue. Check the earth wire connection and make sure the fuse hasn't blown too. If it's neither of those then what 'Se is best' would be your next step unles you're confident with auto wiring. You could try the thermostat as they're relatively cheap and easy to change. That would rule out 1 problem- you say the gauge never moves- that could be the thermostat stuck open, but it wouldn't then explain when it then overheats so you copuld have more than 1 problem, unless the thermostat is stuck open 1/2 way.

hope this helps

Hi and welcome aboard.

Nice one littleade, I shorted the terminals like you said to check the switch, the fan kicked in so I was well happy with myself but while I had the coolant out I thought I may just as well check the thermostat too, right you were again, one of the plastic clips had snapped and left it open.

Thanks for the help I really am a newbie and it was a great buzz finding the problem.

Respect !.......espeardub