Instrument Panel & Radiator Fan Weirdness

[Tim_Burgess]

This may have already been covered . If so, my apologies.

I've just got back from a drive from Bristol to Central London & back. On the outward journey the car performed faultlessly. On the return journey, I noticed that the temp gauge was stuck firmly in the blue and the fan was running. As I was in London traffic at the time I couldn't do much. tried switching off & on a couple of times, but still the same...

Then I had the chance to switch off as things just weren't moving for a minute or so and.. Hey presto!! temp gauge flies up to normal and fan not running. I notice that the fan did cut in & switch off a couple of times after this.

Then I noticed the fuel gauge was stuck between three quarters and Half. As I had filled up in Bristol, driven to London and was now at Newbury on the return journey I guessed that this was probably not correct!

Again, stopping and re-starting failed to rectify this, but when I got home I left the car for 10 mins, then re-started - the gauge showed quarter full, much more believeable.

Has anyone else experienced these problems, if so do you know what to do to put them right? I've got to drive to Glasgow at Easter and I am a little apprehensive.

[David3807]

The temp gauge reading cold and the fan on could be linked.

The Coolant Temp Sensor supplies info for the temp Gauge and also the ECU for controlling the fan. If no sensor output is detected the gauge will read cold ie not move and the ECU will instruct the fan to run at maximum speed as a safety measure.

Therefore faulty coolant temp sensor or loose connection ??

Pass on the fuel gauge problem I am afraid although it is odd that it happened at the same time as the temp gauge/fan problem.

You have checked the plenum drains to make sure the ECU is'nt flooded of course ???

[Tim_Burgess]

You have checked the plenum drains to make sure the ECU is'nt flooded of course ???

Not on this car, no. It's at my friendly Rover specialist today, hopefully they'll get to the bottom of it

[Keith]

Spot on David re possible coolant sensor or wiring failure, fan does fail safe

Pass on fuel gauge, probably one of the fuel tank senders is at fault
I think Testbook can differentiate between the two

[Tim_Burgess]

New coolant sensor now installed all seems well at the moment.....

[MartinW]

Tim
Twice in the past I have had the faulty fuel gauge reading. I thought I was doing fantastically well on consumption! However, it dawned on me that when it happened I had filled the tank and brimmed it off knowing I had a long trip ahead. A few minutes after filling I had then pulled into a lay-bye for a smoke break and a few phone calls. On these two occasions, I can only assume that the starting and switching off again within a few miles of filling up confused the ECU, or created a stuck float?

Stopping and restarting did not clear it either but the next morning all was well again, but I did not have any faulty temperature reading as I recall.