Car Problems

[Rob A.]

The thermostat valve might be stuck... I had it changed... 3-4 times as I got "cheap" ones. My problem was the fan didn't come on.

The thermostat i guess you mean. Stuck where - closed open? Has zilch to do with fans coming on on start up. Suggest this forum avoids car problems - really - there are soooo many forums that know so much and can really help.

Welll...that's good advice, except I don't see the need for the "barb"..."thermostat"/ "thermostat valve"...kind of obvious what is being described...and thermostats are part of the system that allows temperature controlled fans to come on... I've had problems myself with a BMW two-stage auxillary fan switch....so I just wired in a manual switch which I operate from the driver's seat on those rare hot days were I live...this would probably work in Suomi as well, though it might be a pain in the butt in Arizona....and cheap too...better than handing the BMW dealer $400...

I checked out the Audi 80 forum and it does look interesting, but I think it's perfectly fine to discuss car problems here...I learn things and I'm sure those car forums aren't going to tell the guy about "Pukinmäki Esso"...

[Hank W.]

Oh, for "hot" days I take the cardboard in front of the radiator away. For "tropical heatstroke" days the fan needs to come on...

[Mattlill2000]

but I think it's perfectly fine to discuss car problems here..

I agree. Especially with entry level stuff like this and if needed we could then direct or get directed to something more detailed. Just like the politics discussed on the forum............

[Rob A.]

....and just to make it absolutely, unquestionably, unequivocally, categorically, undeniably crystal clear... Hank is talking about a thermo switch...

Here's a link:

http://www.beolingus.de/deutsch-englisc ... alter.html

[Hank W.]

My cars are so old they use thermionic valves

[Rob A.]

My cars are so old they use thermionic valves

You mean one of these:





In physics, thermionics is a branch of electronics dealing with the emission of electrons from matter under the influence of heat...Thanks Hank...hadn't thought much about this stuff before...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermionic_tube

[Reona]

....and just to make it absolutely, unquestionably, unequivocally, categorically, undeniably crystal clear... Hank is talking about a thermo switch...

Here's a link:

http://www.beolingus.de/deutsch-englisc ... alter.html

Didn't think he was I am afraid.
Here is another link:

http://www.mgfcar.de/mis/translation.htm#t

[Reona]

Whatever the Thermoschalter is in English that controls the fan starting. Cheap ones get the bimetal stuck.

Not such an old car then

[peteh]

Hello,

Got the Audi back today. Had to replace the alternator in the end. I got a complete new unit for 140 euros.
I had two fans which are constantly on. One of course should be - thats for the engine cooling. The other one is for the air-conditioning.
It seems that someone before I had it has basically had to rerun a new switch to turn this on, but the switch is malfunctioning.
The electric guy has just pulled the plug from the fan at the engine side, he said that all I need to do in the warmer months is plug it back in.
I can sort the switch problem out when the weathers a little better to work on it.

Next month I will need to give it a service - anyone know of a decent, reliable and cheap outlet close to Oulunkylä ?

Thanks

Peter

[Rob A.]

Hello,

Got the Audi back today. Had to replace the alternator in the end. I got a complete new unit for 140 euros.
I had two fans which are constantly on. One of course should be - thats for the engine cooling. The other one is for the air-conditioning.
It seems that someone before I had it has basically had to rerun a new switch to turn this on, but the switch is malfunctioning.
The electric guy has just pulled the plug from the fan at the engine side, he said that all I need to do in the warmer months is plug it back in.
I can sort the switch problem out when the weathers a little better to work on it.

Next month I will need to give it a service - anyone know of a decent, reliable and cheap outlet close to Oulunkylä ?

Thanks

Hey...that was exactly the problem I had...though in my case the second fan switch didn't work...and I dealt with the problem by wiring in a switch which I can operate from the driver's seat...

But alternators...you should always expect to have problems with them sooner or later even on the best cars...and they are really a "no-brainer" to replace...

[peteh]

Hello,

Got the Audi back today. Had to replace the alternator in the end. I got a complete new unit for 140 euros.
I had two fans which are constantly on. One of course should be - thats for the engine cooling. The other one is for the air-conditioning.
It seems that someone before I had it has basically had to rerun a new switch to turn this on, but the switch is malfunctioning.
The electric guy has just pulled the plug from the fan at the engine side, he said that all I need to do in the warmer months is plug it back in.
I can sort the switch problem out when the weathers a little better to work on it.

Next month I will need to give it a service - anyone know of a decent, reliable and cheap outlet close to Oulunkylä ?

Thanks

Hey...that was exactly the problem I had...though in my case the second fan switch didn't work...and I dealt with the problem by wiring in a switch which I can operate from the driver's seat...

But alternators...you should always expect to have problems with them sooner or later even on the best cars...and they are really a "no-brainer" to replace...

I also know why this extra switch for the air conditioning has gone in my car....all down to yours truly. I play a game with my 9 year old that its a special switch for making the traffic lights turn green. We have had plenty of joy switching on and off at nearly every junction. That is most likely the reason it has finally broke

[nidhal]

Hello All,

I've been having a few problems with the old car (Audio 80 2.0 1991). Just before christmas she wouldn't start due to the battery flat. Charged and everything ok.
A couple of weeks ago I was driving to work and the radio, lights etc started to dim and finally gave up on me. I managed to recharge the battery and get her going again.
I checked the voltage from the alternator and it was less than it should be, and the current was going up and down all over the place. Its a 90 Amp alternator so I cahange the brushes on the rear and everything fired up and sounded ok. I ran for approx 2 weeks. (I do approx. 100 kms a aday). Today when I was driving to work after about 30 kms I turned on my heater
and after 5 or 10 minutes again the same problem, managed to just get to work ! lights dimmed, gauges down etc. When I come to a halt and turned the engine off there was absolutley no power.
Heres the crazy thing ...... after about an hour, at tea break, I thought maybe I get the battery off again to charge and check the current once again etc. When I went to open the hood, I noticed that the interior light came on? so I put the key in and hey presso all lights on and she easily starts????
I check the current again over the terminals. Its weaker about 12.5, but how come no power than after a rest power back on. I checked all the cabling I could, belt etc. and also the earthing with a jump lead - everything seemes to be in place.
I gave the battery a small charge and with heaters, etc (and lights! off) I managed to do the 50 kms back to helsinki.

Now I believe the alternator is basically on the way out. Maybe the coils inside have finally given up and last week was just a bit of luck.
If anyone has anything else I could test then please let me know. Now I really don't want to go out and fork out 160 euros for an alternator which is ok. Is there anywhere close by to Oulunkylä that I could take the unit to be tested first.

someone mentioned atida in Malmi - does any one really know it, service, testing price etc? and would they recondition the unit? or any recommendations where I could go to solve this little problem.

Thanks Peter

its the alternator i had the same thing just last week, and i changed the alternator and now it works like before: new alternator: 180 e plus one hour of working all together 320 e!!