Hi everyone, new to the board...

 

I have an '86 DL Wagon 2wd, 5 speed and A/C...

 

A few minutes after driving the temp needle pegs. Coolant seems topped.

Oil is topped.

 

After doing an exhaustive search of the forums, I have determined to:

 

- Check and/or replace the t-stat

- Check radiator for good flow and damaged fins

- Check/replace cooling fan switch

- Check/replace radiator cap (it's the original)

- Check/replace the cooling fan

 

All of which I will look at in the morning.

 

Some things I have noticed:

 

- Does not seem to be leaking coolant

- With the key in the "ON" position (all dash lights on but not started) there is a loud clicking from what sounds like the carb area

- When in that position, fan does not run

- Even in 55 degree nighttime air and heat on full blast needle doesn't budge

 

I seem to think that it is either the relay or the temp switch in the radiator. Am I missing anything else? Thanks in advance.

Note that a bad thermo switch can also make the fans run continuous. However, if only your thermo switch was bad, even without the fans, your needle should not go into the red zone whilst driving - unless there is a flow problem through the engine also. Are both the upper and lower radiator hoses hot after driving?

Regards,

aba4430

sounds like a thermo. cheap fix. but what do i know? do a search on the forum for "a/c" or "coolant" and you'll find dozens of threads on it. oh yeah, welcome to the best subaru site ever.

I'd check to see if the radiator is getting any of the heat, if it's not, it's a bad t-stat.

Sounds like bad T-stat to me too.

 

On the fan not running part.... The temp switch on the radiator grounds the fan circuit. Take that wire and put it to a good ground, preferably the battery - post, the fan should run. If it does, then it's either the temp switch, or the ground wire from radiator to the radiator support has lost it's connection. You may want to run both a "hot" and ground to the fan motor though, just to be sure the motor is good. Easier to do if you pull fan out of car.

If a bad thermostat is blocking the coolant then it seems that the coolant in the radiator would never get hot enough to turn on the fan switch. I think you should replace the thermostat first and then see what happens. Be sure to put the new one in the same way the old is. I would use a OEM replacement also.

Yeah, the thermostat will stop hot coolant from getting to the radiator, so the fan switch will never get warm enough to turn on. So yeah, run the car, check to see if the radiator gets warm, or hot, if it doesn't, it's difinatly the t-stat, or a blocked hose. Good luck.