Ok so here is my problem, today I was stuck in a long very slow moving traffic jam for about 15 mins, and after about 10 mins the temp gauge on the dashboard started to rise and got very close to the red light being on, and I noticed a smell of burning of some sort, luckily I got out of the jam before it reached the red light and pulled over and stopped the engine.

Now, I opened the bonnet to a burning smell, and I noticed that the radiator fan motor had a bit of smoke coming from it.

I let the car cool for 10 mins then turned around and went home and the temperature was fine again when I was moving at normal speed.

My initial thoughts were that the radiator fan motor had given up, so when i got home I let the car idle and see if the fan kicked in, I let the temperature go a few bars over the middle and the fan did not kick in which sort of backs up my theory.

It's worth noting that I've had no problems like this before and the car has always had the right amount of coolant. Also, I'm unsure as to if the fan did come on before the temperature gauge started rising as I had the radio on, which when I turned off I did not notice the fan come on.

Any help is appreciated as I may just be worrying about nothing! It was just the fact that a bit of what looked like smoke was coming off the radiator fan motor when i looked under the bonnet, and the fan did not kick in whilst idling at home that got me worried!

Thanks, Elliott.

Test the fan motor by supplying 12v (+ and -) to the fan connector (first connector back from the motor itself).

Could you go into a bit more detail how to do that? (sorry if I'm being really stupid) I assume you mean get the 12v straight from the battery?

Yes. Just find 2 bits of reasonably thick insulated cable, undo the wiring connector nearest the fan motor (trace it back from the motor) and just pop the wires in each of the bonnectors (to the fan).

An extra pair of hands can hold the wires to the battery teminals.

Failing fan motors can often feel very stiff when trying to turn by hand.

Ahh ok thanks for that I will try that in the morning when it is light!

If the fan does come on when i test it, what would you suggest the problem is?

Or is it normal for the engine to go well above normal temp (close to red light) when in traffic for a long time, even with the fan on? As the fan must have been on at some point in the traffic jam for it to be smoking when i looked under the bonnet.

Also, when i got home, should the fan have come on when i let it idle? The temp gauge showed it was being about 2 bars over normal.

ElliottMK2B said:

If the fan does come on when i test it, what would you suggest the problem is?

Or is it normal for the engine to go well above normal temp (close to red light) when in traffic for a long time, even with the fan on?

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The latter isn't common, if the fan does operate we'll cross other causes then, as I'd be willing to put a crisp 50 on it being the fan if you saw smoke raising from it.

Fan normally comes on at about 95C -- top of scale on the guage will be 110C +.

If the fan system is fine it'll drag the temperature down very quickly.

Smoke might indicate that the motor has simply shorted out.

The fan is fused -- generally it's a maxifuse in the engine compartment, but I'm unsure of where it is on the Punto. That'd be your next port of call.

Thanks for the help guys Ill check the motor first thing in the morning and let you know if it works or not!

In the meantime if it gets too hot again put your heater dial and fans to max, should bring the temp down nicely. After all the HG in punto's isn't exactly the strongest, (assuming you have a 1.2)

FiatPuntoMad said:

In the meantime if it gets too hot again put your heater dial and fans to max, should bring the temp down nicely. After all the HG in punto's isn't exactly the strongest, (assuming you have a 1.2)

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thanks for the advice i will do hopefully the problem will be the motor so i can get a new one ordered and fitted quickly

ElliottMK2B said:

thanks for the advice i will do hopefully the problem will be the motor so i can get a new one ordered and fitted quickly

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No problem after all the heater is just a secondary cooling system so does the same job as the rad ran. Just make sure you keep the temp under half way via the internal heater and it will be fine (obviously untill the issue is resolved)

I'd advise against -- it's nothing like as effective, and you've probably got the heater on anyway (unless you're very hardy!)

There is a super simple way to test a punto radiator fan
No need for any wires or removal

Just unplug the coolant temperature sensor with just the ignition on
Within 10seconds the fan should kick in

Fan activates the ECU is working - the fuse is fine - the relay is working - the wiring is carrying the juice

In traffic usually the fan is first thing to blame
But it could be a weak waterpump - as its due for renewal
or the thermostat is getting lazy and will only get worse as it fails to adjust correctly

Ziggy

wow that seems like an easier way to test it! where abouts is the coolant temperature sensor?

so if im reading what you wrote correctly, you turn the ignition on, then disconnect the sensor, and the fan should then kick in within about 10 seconds? no need to start the engine?

ElliottMK2B said:

wow that seems like an easier way to test it! where abouts is the coolant temperature sensor?

so if im reading what you wrote correctly, you turn the ignition on, then disconnect the sensor, and the fan should then kick in within about 10 seconds? no need to start the engine?

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Yup - yup and yup

This big picture from the guides section is pretty much spot on
Guide Here
Big picture Here



failing not been able to find it
Follow the heater cables from the firewall of the engine bay
1 will go to it
Most are a green connector

Ziggy

fingers99 said:

I'd advise against -- it's nothing like as effective, and you've probably got the heater on anyway (unless you're very hardy!)

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I didnt mean to use the heater fan instead! Just as a temporary measure untill the issue is resolved. Better than running with no fans at all!

Ziggy122 said:

Just unplug the coolant temperature sensor with just the ignition on
Within 10seconds the fan should kick in

Fan activates the ECU is working - the fuse is fine - the relay is working - the wiring is carrying the juice

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I never knew that , I assume thats becaus the ecu thinks its faulty and goes into a fail safe mode with the fan

thanks ziggy so if the fan does come on after i follow the process you suggested does that mean there are no problems with the fan? and that it will always kick in when it should?

and also i take it that would mean the problem would be something else such as the water pump as you suggested earlier?

ElliottMK2B said:

thanks ziggy so if the fan does come on after i follow the process you suggested does that mean there are no problems with the fan? and that it will always kick in when it should?

and also i take it that would mean the problem would be something else such as the water pump as you suggested earlier?

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Indeed.

Does the fan move by hand or are the blades seized