Couple idle questions

[rlux4]

If your bottom hose is hot the stat is open. It sounds like the temp sensor isn't working. Because it completes the ground side of the circuit it's easy to check. With your engine at 190° unplug the connector by the sensor (the one in the "T") and check for continuity with a multimeter. The meter should show that you full continuity. If it has continuity then check the ground on the pod that's located near the front of the driver's side inner fender, look at the largest black ground wire there for good connection.
Ron

[RRoller123]

My sensor also wasn't working and it turned out to be the ground pod. A corroded mess it was.

[Chihua33]

Ron,
Now that you say that...That's the connection that the PO told me was hit or miss. It looks like he broke the connector on the wire side. Is there a way to replace that wire?

[rlux4]

The connector is just the normal bullet type. You can find the double style with some searching, but it could be replaced with single ones. The wire is 14 gauge and could be replaced by splicing. If the problem is the connector because of corrosion you could clean it and then gently squeeze the female end to tighten it up for better contact. Use some 120 grit sand paper, the male end would be easy. For the female end you could wrap a small piece of sand paper around something like a round toothpick to get inside of it.
Ron

[Chihua33]

Is that the connection you are talking about?

[RRoller123]

I have noticed on a few of these photos, that the sensor is in the bottom hole, with the plug at the top. On my car the temp sensor is in the top hole. A PO gremlin I suspect (???) I wonder if this makes any difference? The sensor stalk is quite long and should get into the coolant either way?

Pete

[Chihua33]

When I first joined I posted a picture, and Mark told me that mine was the wrong way.

http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic ... t=Chihua33

You can look through that thread I think it's on the first page

[rlux4]

Chihua33, that's the temp sensor being read by the ECU. It's the most critical sensor of the system. Disconnect any other sensor and the car would still run, disconnect that one and it probably wouldn't run. The temp sensor for the fan is near the bottom of the radiator. The temp sensor in the "T" operates by varying resistance with heat, the one at the radiator is a switch type that closes contact at about 190°, completing a circuit for ground to the fan.
As far as which hole it plugs into, that would only matter if you wanted to use the plug to top off the coolant, then the plug should be on the top. I never have to use it though because I've got the coolant T in the heater hose at the firewall installed to add coolant. I've seen the threads for the plug stripped too often to want to use it.
Ron

[Chihua33]

With your engine at 190° unplug the connector by the sensor (the one in the "T") and check for continuity with a multimeter. The meter should show that you full continuity.
Ron

So when you say this, do you mean the sensor that I pictured? or the one that you mention being on the rad

[rlux4]

I'm sorry, I had a old timer's moment. I meant the one at the bottom of the radiator is the one that energizes the fan. Sorry for the confusion.
Ron

[Chihua33]

Not a problem!
I sure hope I can just clean that connection and it works lol I changed my coolant not long ago and don't want to have to do it again.

[4uall]

I have noticed on a few of these photos, that the sensor is in the bottom hole, with the plug at the top. On my car the temp sensor is in the top hole. A PO gremlin I suspect (???) I wonder if this makes any difference? The sensor stalk is quite long and should get into the coolant either way?

Pete

I was informed that the correct way is to have the sensor at the bottom so that the plug can be used when filling/burping the rad


Bosch connector (damaged) for temp sensor by itzebtze, on Flickr


Bleeding a Fiat Spider by itzebtze, on Flickr

[rlux4]

That's true Jay, but most people don't use that method. Mainly because you have a brass plug screwing into aluminum and it very easy to strip the threads. Also you'll see that the small hose at the throttle body preheater is at the highest point in the system on our FI cars, so even if you used the plug you'd still have to top it off there to get all the air, which rising to the top as you fill. The coolant flushing T installed in the highest heater hose at the firewall is how most people fill the system, it being the highest point for all the cars that aren't FI. I'm not saying you can't use the brass plug, I'm saying it's a lot easier to top off the system with the T in the heater hose, which is pointing staight up instead of angled like the plug is and at a higher point in the system.
Ron

[Chihua33]

Ran home quick at lunch and started my car, and I was happy with the results! Last night I worked at getting the idle set correct, and now it fires right up and idles at 700-900 Couldn't be happier...well I could be if it wasn't calling for rain!

Tonight I'm going to check the connection to the sensor at the bottom of the rad, hopefully it's just dirty and I can clean it up and that will make the fan kick in! So far when I'm driving it stays at 190ish and I never run into too much traffic but I really want to get it set up right! These cars are addicting!

[majicwrench]

Just connect those two wire at the sensor at bottom of rad and fan should run.