What Is This Sitting At Top Of The Rad?

[gavbrum 18 1 Cars]

My radiator fan refuses to come on and I think that this may be the culprit. Problem I have is I'm not completely sure what it is.

 

This is the pic

 

http://s1061.photobucket.com/albums/t476/gavbrum/?action=view&current=d2229fa6.jpg#!oZZ3QQcurrentZZhttp%3A%2F%2Fs1061.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Ft476%2Fgavbrum%2F%3Faction%3Dview%26current%3Dd2229fa6.jpg

 

Now it looks like this from the Haynes manual

 

http://s1061.photobucket.com/albums/t476/gavbrum/?action=view&current=d2229fa6.jpg#!oZZ2QQcurrentZZhttp%3A%2F%2Fs1061.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Ft476%2Fgavbrum%2F%3Faction%3Dview%26current%3D382bae7c.jpg

 

However reading here GTi's don't have cooling fan relay's.

 

So is it this part?

 

http://s1061.photobucket.com/albums/t476/gavbrum/?action=view&current=d2229fa6.jpg#!oZZ1QQcurrentZZhttp%3A%2F%2Fs1061.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Ft476%2Fgavbrum%2F%3Faction%3Dview%26current%3DScreenshot2012-05-08at204147.png

 

Can anyone clear this up and shed any light on why the fan isn't coming on? I've tested the fan against the battery and its working. The radiator thermostat has been replaced within the last 2000 miles. All wiring and connections seem fine.

 

Cheers,

 

Gav

[welshpug 1,626]

its the low speed fan resistor, it wont cause the fan to stop working totally, only the low speed.

 

most common issues are the fan switch or earth.

Edited May 8, 2012 by welshpug

[allye 530 3 Cars]

it is indeed the radiator fan resistor/switch/ relay thingy and why your fan wont be working.

[gavbrum 18 1 Cars]

And is it part number 126712 for a replacement fan resistor switch thingy?

[welshpug 1,626]

its not a switch, its just a resistor, part number is correct.

 

does your high speed work?

[gavbrum 18 1 Cars]

Not working at all.

 

The thermostat housing melted and failed last week when I was stuck in a traffic jam near my house, spraying coolant everywhere. I suspected it was because the fan wouldn't come on causing the overheating. Today, when I replaced the housing, thermostat and thermostat gasket and filler her up with coolant I left the engine running to see if the fan would come on. The rad started to steam after about 10-15mins and I had to shut her off to let the car cool down as the fan didnt start up.

Edited May 8, 2012 by gavbrum

[welshpug 1,626]

start with the cooling fan test point, its a brown 5 slot plug with only 3 wires, check for 12v+ on the centre pin, if you have 12v+ bridge the centre pin to either of the outer ones.

 

if the fan works on both settings, replace the fan thermoswitch, if it doesn't work on either check for continuity to earth from the fan, if you don't have continuity here sort the earth.

if you do, replace the fan.

[gavbrum 18 1 Cars]

I'll get the multimeter out and check it all over tomorrow.

 

Cheers Welshpug