I have a 2004 1.9tdi 90 ALH engine code. It has 2 radiator fans. The large one feels very, very stiff to move as if it is seizing up. If I turn the aircon on, then the smaller fan only comes on. It doesn't overheat and I have left it idling today but it just sits at 90 degrees and neither of the fans come on. Is there an easy way to test the control system, I understand the fans are 2 stage but should they both come on together ?

Its tempting to leave it but don't want to risk it overheating.

I had this same issue with the large fan being very stiff. Three torx screws to get it off and it was found to be seized. Got a second hand one for £10 fitted it and it has been fine for the last year.

If you don't fix it there is a chance in hot weather if left idling for a while it may overheat

I have a 2004 1.9tdi 90 ALH engine code. It has 2 radiator fans. The large one feels very, very stiff to move as if it is seizing up. If I turn the aircon on, then the smaller fan only comes on. It doesn't overheat and I have left it idling today but it just sits at 90 degrees and neither of the fans come on. Is there an easy way to test the control system, I understand the fans are 2 stage but should they both come on together ?

Its tempting to leave it but don't want to risk it overheating.

Must be that time of year .

I posted this few days back..

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/274908-some-maintenance-this-weekend-replaced-cts-housing/

Change your large fan as chances are it is seized.

With Aircon switched on it should trigger both fans to come on.

Without Aircon switched on, the single smaller fan should come on to cool engine down.

Thanks guys. So, at least if the smaller of the fans is the primary cooling fan for engine coolant it shouldn't cause me any issues overheating wise. cheers

I had this problem over winter when i was defrosting the car one cold morning.I left the car running to defrost with all fans on full etc, and hadn't noticed A/C was switched on. I noticed after a minute or so a hell of a lot of smoke coming from the front end of the car - rushed out to find the larger fan was seized and that there was a small flame coming from the fan motor housing. The current must have caused enough heat to generate flames.

Needless to say I switched everything off and extinguished the flame asap, but I dread to think what could have happened if I hadn't noticed. I bought a replacement from a golf for around £10 and everythings as it should be now - only around 15 mins to fit. The seizing must be a result of engine temps never coming close to overheating, and not using the A/C often enough.

Thanks guys. So, at least if the smaller of the fans is the primary cooling fan for engine coolant it shouldn't cause me any issues overheating wise. cheers

Bowders may know otherwise, but I seemed to think the larger fan kicks in once the second stage of the cooling fan switch is active (when engine temp is at 100 or so)? I'd certainly want piece of mind that both fans work, especially with this nice weather about

Guys, you better also check your fuse box on top of the battery. Its well know on the VAG cars that the big fan fail a lot and also cause the Fuse Box on top of the battery to get overheat and melted. It usually melt around the three green fuses located in the box. One of them powers the fans.

I have a 2002 1.8T Octavia and I the temperature neddle was going more than 90º, the big fan was not running and when cheking the fuse box on top of the battery it was beguining to melt. The melted plastic was not allowing the fuse to make good contac.

I replace the big fan, and put a aux fuse holder for the fan.

Just make a search on the net for: Jetta battery fuse box and you will find a lot of info.

Good luck,

Isaac

Edited 14 May, 201313 yr by Turbo_Boss

Cheers for the advice.

Just to add the problem I ran over a lump of concrete last night which has ripped off the plastic undertray, cracked the front bumper and bent the centre exhaust mounting. I jacked it up last night to pull the remains off and found the radiators are loose at the bottom, you can push the rads forward & back about an inch I can also see that all the screws holding the fans on are badly corroded which will make removal difficult. No leaks, thank goodness, but it did scrape the sump slightly So it looks like the wallet needs opening !! Only got 2 months MOT left so its future is currently under review.....

Guys, you better also check your fuse box on top of the battery. Its well know on the VAG cars that the big fan fail a lot and also cause the Fuse Box on top of the battery to get overheat and melted. It usually melt around the three green fuses located in the box. One of them powers the fans.

I have a 2002 1.8T Octavia and I the temperature neddle was going more than 90º, the big fan was not running and when cheking the fuse box on top of the battery it was beguining to melt. The melted plastic was not allowing the fuse to make good contac.

I replace the big fan, and put a aux fuse holder for the fan.

Just make a search on the net for: Jetta battery fuse box and you will find a lot of info.

Good luck,

Isaac

Yep those top fuse boxes are prone to melting. Potentially down to poor connections and or loss of current flow to either the spanner fuse or the 3 green spade fuses.

It seems that the actual connectors stop current flow or impede current flow when they start to give up, which allows the wiring to get very hot indeed and enough to melt plastic. I have actually seen one guy battery and loom to catch fire as it touched the bonnet.

I was lucky I felt my wiring and fixed issue quickly, although the large red wire is now getting hot on the new fuse box so another check and fix coming soon.

Here is my guide in techi section covering a few issues.

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/220346-battery-issues-fuse-box-melting/

Cheers for the advice.

Just to add the problem I ran over a lump of concrete last night which has ripped off the plastic undertray, cracked the front bumper and bent the centre exhaust mounting. I jacked it up last night to pull the remains off and found the radiators are loose at the bottom, you can push the rads forward & back about an inch I can also see that all the screws holding the fans on are badly corroded which will make removal difficult. No leaks, thank goodness, but it did scrape the sump slightly So it looks like the wallet needs opening !! Only got 2 months MOT left so its future is currently under review.....

The radiators mounts sound worn if you have that much movement. The parts are cheap to fix that

Cheers for the advice.

Just to add the problem I ran over a lump of concrete last night which has ripped off the plastic undertray, cracked the front bumper and bent the centre exhaust mounting. I jacked it up last night to pull the remains off and found the radiators are loose at the bottom, you can push the rads forward & back about an inch I can also see that all the screws holding the fans on are badly corroded which will make removal difficult. No leaks, thank goodness, but it did scrape the sump slightly So it looks like the wallet needs opening !! Only got 2 months MOT left so its future is currently under review.....

I know your pain! Similar thing happened to my daugther VW Jetta Mk4 and she crack the automatic transmision belly pan and was leaking oil.

My 2002 Octavia comes with a heavy duty package that include a metal undertray intead of plastic. That metal undertray have save me several times from destroying my engine sump

Since the VW Jetta MK4 is the same as the Skoda Octavia, I order this metal undertray and instaled it on the Jetta to prevent future problems. I have check under the Jetta and already has seen some scrapes meaning that thing has save me a lot of problems.

Is a piece of cake to install it. If you are interested in order one, make a search on the net for: Jetta Steel Skid Plate or MK4 golf skid plate. I know Skoda dealers sell it. I pay for mine around U$ 400.oo and belive me, this thing worth every penny!

Good Luck,

Isaac

Edited 15 May, 201313 yr by Turbo_Boss

That certainly looks like decent bit of kit. These cars are so low to the ground they are very vulnerable.

I've got Octavia MK1 1.8. I noticed the small fan was off centre and would not turn. After taking it off I found the motor had seized overheated and melted the plastic mount on the hub. I think they are a standard fan used on many versions and a 2nd hand one will be cheap. Saying that I'm hoping the garage I bought it from last week will supply one.