Hi

I just picked up my third Multipla - a really early 01 SX petrol one. Despite this being my third I have a couple of queries.

The fan isn't turning resulting in worrying amounts of heat in traffic. I've seen six spots but turning the heat up to max and getting moving brought it down. I know enough to put a multimeter across the fan plug and check for 12v. For the other side of the equation, where would I find the thermostat switch?

What OBD does it have? I have a standard OBD-II reader but it doesn't appear to fit the plug that's hanging underneath the dash on the drivers side.

Finally, just a quick query, what happened to the letters on the back? Mine doesn't have the big MULTIPLA across the back. When did that start?

Thanks!

Graham

'01 isn't particularly early. The Multipla came out in '99.

1. SX is without aircon I think? There's a fan resistor in the engine bay - a green thing, mounted low down just behind the radiator, but I'm not sure if it's present on cars without aircon. It's well known to fail and prevent the fan from cutting in.

2. Standard OBD-II on all models AFAIK.

3. Sounds like it's had a new tailgate fitted at some point. That's the usual reason for the MULTIPLA emblem to go missing.

Oh, OK, I've had an 04 and an 08 so this is earlier!

That's right - no aircon. I'll have a look for the resistor and have a proper look at the OBD port in a bit.

Thanks

Graham

Step one - that wasn't the OBD-II port. I had a quick look while waiting to pick up the kids from school last night. Today, in the clear light of day, I saw a box labelled Cobra which has been unplugged. I'm guessing it's some form of car alarm or immobiliser and will probably bring a world of trouble if I reconnect it!

I found the actual OBD-II port and checked it over. One code that I saw driving home on Tue - 0300 - random or multiple cylinder misfire?!?

thanks

Graham

GrahamHM said:

Step one - that wasn't the OBD-II port. I had a quick look while waiting to pick up the kids from school last night. Today, in the clear light of day, I saw a box labelled Cobra which has been unplugged. I'm guessing it's some form of car alarm or immobiliser and will probably bring a world of trouble if I reconnect it!

I found the actual OBD-II port and checked it over. One code that I saw driving home on Tue - 0300 - random or multiple cylinder misfire?!?

thanks

Graham

Click to expand...

There is no Thermoswitch for the rad fan. The engine ecu triggers a relay which connects the fan negative wire to ground when required.
There is a constant live to the fan motor.

That makes sense as I haven't found it yet!

Weirdly enough I ordered a radiator fan switch from the local motor factor by quoting the reg plate and they sold me one. It's not a total disaster as it's still in the box and sealed bag with a receipt so it can go back no probs.

I pulled out the sensor, mistakenly thinking it was the switch, but it looks completely different to the switch I was sold.

The sensor does work because the car gets hot and the dots on the temp gauge go up. But, this morning I let it idle up to four dots and put a multimeter across the fan plug but got absolutely zero volts. (It has gone up to six dots in traffic which is a bit nerve wracking!)

So, somewhere the ECU is not grounding it to earth? Could it be a knackered relay?

Thanks!

Graham

Most likely relay... check voltage between both cables and ground(individually)... 1 of them should give you a reading of 12v, the other should be going back to the relay.
By any chance was it a relay he sold you??

No, it's definitely a thing that would screw into a cylinder head, radiator or housing of some sort with a plug on the end. It really is a radiator fan switch, it's just that I can't see anything comparable under the bonnet!

I've found two relays under the bonnet, but the lid of the fuse box by the battery is missing so I can't figure out which relay it would be. According to the Interwebnets it should be fuse A5 as well but that is in a different fuse box also under the bonnet.

I'll have another look tomorrow when it's light.

Thanks!

Graham

Someone on here with petrol multi had exactly the same problem.
Try and find that thread.
In mean time check you have +batt voltage at one of wires to fan.
If you find +batt at one wire connect the other fan wire to body ground - the fan should run if not the fan likely to be faulty.
If you post pic of part you were supplied and part number and your number plate someone may cross reference it all and see if it looks correct.
I have jtd multi so fan relay may be in different location to petrol version.

I have been googling quite heavily and I think I found that thread - in the end he found a wire had chafed and broken.

I must admit I gave up this morning as it was literally sub-zero outside. And I don't yet have a big supply of spare connectors, fuses, relays and other odds-and-sods to hand. So I took it down to the local garage and am now waiting for a phone call. Interestingly on the way there it threw an engine warning light. When I checked it was P0115 - Engine Coolant Temp Circuit Malfunction. My other worry was that if a fuse or relay has blown it might be as a result of the fan motor frying itself.

Anyway, waiting by the phone for today!

Thanks all

Graham

GrahamHM said:

I have been googling quite heavily and I think I found that thread - in the end he found a wire had chafed and broken.

I must admit I gave up this morning as it was literally sub-zero outside. And I don't yet have a big supply of spare connectors, fuses, relays and other odds-and-sods to hand. So I took it down to the local garage and am now waiting for a phone call. Interestingly on the way there it threw an engine warning light. When I checked it was P0115 - Engine Coolant Temp Circuit Malfunction. My other worry was that if a fuse or relay has blown it might be as a result of the fan motor frying itself.

Anyway, waiting by the phone for today!

Thanks all

Graham

Click to expand...

Fault code could have been caused by unplugging the sender unit with ignition on.
I think you found the thread I was referring too , that ended with a garage fixing broken w wire- Finland or Holland or thereabouts.

Looks like I made the right call. Garage ran the car up with the computer plugged in for live reporting. Apparently the coolant was running at -216 centigrade so it wasn't switching the fan on. Now waiting on a new sensor.

Thanks!

Graham

Picked it up this morning - under £50 and I have briefly seen 4 dots just once the rest of the time it runs at three dots regardless.

I'm one happy bunny!

Graham

So it was the coolant temperature sensor that had gone belly up? No other repairs needed?

Yeah, temperature sensor seems to have cured it. I went down a couple of blind alleys before discovering the non-air-con petrol engines don't have a separate switch, they just feed the temperature into the ECU which switches via a relay and fuse.

Graham

GrahamHM said:

Yeah, temperature sensor seems to have cured it. I went down a couple of blind alleys before discovering the non-air-con petrol engines don't have a separate switch, they just feed the temperature into the ECU which switches via a relay and fuse.

Graham

Click to expand...

So what was the part motor factor supplied you with?

As far as I can tell, some Multiplas have a switch. Without going upstairs to the computer and looking at the CD manual I couldn't tell you if there's a switch for cars with air-con or for cars with diesel or even for cars with both.

It's all a bit baffling but at least the mystery part is still sealed in packet with receipt so that's going back for a refund!

Graham

GrahamHM said:

As far as I can tell, some Multiplas have a switch. Without going upstairs to the computer and looking at the CD manual I couldn't tell you if there's a switch for cars with air-con or for cars with diesel or even for cars with both.

It's all a bit baffling but at least the mystery part is still sealed in packet with receipt so that's going back for a refund!

Graham

Click to expand...

I go upstairs just to wonder what I've gone up stairs for!
Glad you have it sorted.
Diesel multi with air con rad fan is controlled by ECU too but has two speed fan (until the slow speed resistor burns out)