Radiator Fan Switch Replacement Question

Maintenance advice to keep your Spider in shape.
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donerehart
Posts: 343
Joined: Fri May 14, 2010 9:29 pm
Your car is a: 1976 spider

Radiator Fan Switch Replacement Question

Postby donerehart » Sat Apr 15, 2017 6:33 pm

Hi Spider Team,
I need to replace my radiator fan switch on my 76. Is there a way to do that without draining all your anti-freeze? Any tips for this?
Thanks,
Don
76 Spider
St. Louis, MO

fiat218
Posts: 5745
Joined: Fri May 16, 2008 5:06 pm
Your car is a: 1969 124 AS spider

Re: Radiator Fan Switch Replacement Question

Postby fiat218 » Sat Apr 15, 2017 6:35 pm

unscrew and screw fast :)
Jim
East Grand Forks MN
1970 Fiat Spider BS1 ( FOR SALE
1969 124 AS Spider
2017 Abrath
2018 Alfa Romeo 4c Spider

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RRoller123
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Joined: Sun Nov 13, 2011 2:04 pm
Your car is a: 1980 FI SPIDER 2000
Location: SAGAMORE BEACH, MA USA

Re: Radiator Fan Switch Replacement Question

Postby RRoller123 » Sat Apr 15, 2017 7:51 pm

Gunna have to drain it I think, no way I know of to get around that.
'80 FI Spider 2000
'74 and '79 X1/9 (past)
'75 BMW R75/6
2011 Chevy Malibu (daily driver)
2010 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Ext Cab 4WD/STD BED
2002 Edgewater 175CC 80HP 4-Stroke Yamaha
2003 Jaguar XK8
2003 Jaguar XKR
2021 Jayco 22RB
2019 Bianchi Torino Bicycle

spider2081
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Your car is a: 1981 Spider 2000
Location: Wallingford,CT
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Re: Radiator Fan Switch Replacement Question

Postby spider2081 » Sat Apr 15, 2017 9:23 pm

I think if the radiator cap is sealing correctly and the engine is cold you should be able to remove the cooling fan switch and replace it with very little coolant leaking out. There should be no way for air to enter the system if the radiator cap is good so almost no coolant will should come out. Like putting your finger over a straw.

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RRoller123
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Posts: 8179
Joined: Sun Nov 13, 2011 2:04 pm
Your car is a: 1980 FI SPIDER 2000
Location: SAGAMORE BEACH, MA USA

Re: Radiator Fan Switch Replacement Question

Postby RRoller123 » Sun Apr 16, 2017 9:00 am

Nah, the hole is too big, air leaks past. The surface tension can't stop it.
'80 FI Spider 2000
'74 and '79 X1/9 (past)
'75 BMW R75/6
2011 Chevy Malibu (daily driver)
2010 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Ext Cab 4WD/STD BED
2002 Edgewater 175CC 80HP 4-Stroke Yamaha
2003 Jaguar XK8
2003 Jaguar XKR
2021 Jayco 22RB
2019 Bianchi Torino Bicycle

klweimer
Posts: 550
Joined: Tue Mar 27, 2012 7:45 am
Your car is a: 1982 Spider 2000
Location: Arvada, Colorado

Re: Radiator Fan Switch Replacement Question

Postby klweimer » Sun Apr 16, 2017 9:34 am

Maybe if you flip the car over on it's top, so the fan switch is at the top of the system? :D

fiat218
Posts: 5745
Joined: Fri May 16, 2008 5:06 pm
Your car is a: 1969 124 AS spider

Re: Radiator Fan Switch Replacement Question

Postby fiat218 » Mon Apr 17, 2017 5:05 pm

you could unscrew that plug quick and get a new one in there before a quart comes out. i will bet on that
Jim
East Grand Forks MN
1970 Fiat Spider BS1 ( FOR SALE
1969 124 AS Spider
2017 Abrath
2018 Alfa Romeo 4c Spider

JohnMc
Patron 2018
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Posts: 226
Joined: Mon Aug 10, 2015 8:30 pm
Your car is a: 1970 Fiat 124

Re: Radiator Fan Switch Replacement Question

Postby JohnMc » Sat Apr 22, 2017 12:02 pm

drain into a clean container and put back in.

DieselSpider
Posts: 2130
Joined: Wed Dec 24, 2014 10:21 pm
Your car is a: 1978 124 Spider with Isuzu Turbo Diesel

Re: Radiator Fan Switch Replacement Question

Postby DieselSpider » Sun Apr 23, 2017 10:19 am

When I faced this quadry the additional issue of how much torque would be required to unscrew the original switch potentially damaging the lower radiator pan causing leaks became a concern so I purchased the external adjustable universal switch from Advanced Auto Parts for less than $20 and just bypassed the original.

Most stores don't realize they even have them in stock but can find them on the shelf out back. I strapped the sensor to the upper radiator hose with a few zip ties since I did not want to chance causing a leak when pushing the mounting straps through the fins in the radiator and it works just fine. Added the Lucas version of Water Wetter to the coolant while I was at it and have no problems even when roadway temps are closing in on 120 degrees.


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