VW Golf '93 CL overheating

[Lakeslad]

My Golf keeps getting very warm. The usual temp it runs at when driving normally is spot on 70. As soon as I get into traffic or rev quite high going up a hill the temp rises very quickly and once nearly reached 100 before I switched the engine off. I don't think my fan is coming on. What is the normal running temp and at what temp should the fan normally come on. As soon I I start driving normally again the temp drops again to 70.

The water and oil levels are correct.

Thanks in advance

[v64paul]

not sure what temp the fan cuts in but the syptoms are pretty much what i would expect to see if the fan was'nt working. normally not a problem in our climate but when ambient temps are as high as they are at the moment...

if you can find the switch that controls the fan, bridge the two wires at it's plug, stand back and turn on the ignition. if the fan runs, it's the switch; if not then further checking required. hope that's a start!

[KebabMeister]

Yep, try what v64paul recommended about bridging the wires.  Of course check that the fuse hasn't blown in the fusebox first.  Sometimes the fan seizes up and when it tries to engage it would blow the fuse.

The thermostat on the normal car opens at 88 deg C.  I would assume that the fan cuts in around 92 deg C.

[Lakeslad]

Thanks. I am not too sure how to bridge the wires. Do you mean take out the plug and connect the two pins with another peice of wire?

[KebabMeister]

Basically there should be a 'temperature sender' located on the radiator.  If you see the fan it should have wires going from the fan to the main engine loom (wiring) but also to the temperature sender.  This sender is basically the switch that tells the fan to switch on or off.  If you remove the two wires that are connected to the switch and bridge the two wire (I used to use a split pin) then that would switch the fan on. 

Also, whilst engine & ignition off, locate the cooling fan and rotate it a few times.  Sometimes just doing this will free up the motor and it might work then.

[Lakeslad]

Thanks so much for the answers!! Will try in the morning and let you know what happens.

Much appreciated!!

[Lakeslad]

Right: I checked the fuses and the fan fuse is a 20amp and is fine. I then checked the wires and found 3 wires go to the actual motor on the fan. Then I followed the insultated wires backwards and it split halfway to another plug which connects to the side of the radiator. I take it this is the switch?

I took the plug off and found again 3 wires go into it? How would I know which two to bridge? If you had to look at the front of the plug it is almost oval and has three slits
eg: ( l l l )

I knew I should have learnt more about engines.

Please help guys

[Jackson74]

Normally about 90 degrees.  Exact same happened to my 1990 golf, where the bearings in the fan had gone.  Temp soared when stuck in traffic jam and had to pull over.  Make sure no air on cooling system.

[Lakeslad]

I thought it might be the fan itself, but it turns freely by hand. Jackson74> Was it a big job to have the bearings fixed? Do you mean do not have the interior cooling fan on? Not at all?