Radiator fan not turning on - green wire problem?

[j24]

Hi all - I'm two and a half weeks into e86 ownership, and safe to say it's been a productive couple of weeks!

So far I've sorted a problem with the remote central locking (key battery repair/replacement did the trick) and a coolant leak coming from the expansion tank - but when testing out the car after fitting a new expansion tank I noticed that the radiator fan isn't turning on at all.

I know it's cold outside at the moment, but it looks like the fan isn't turning on at all. I gave the car a good 40 min blast yesterday, and the radiator fan just would come on at all. Also had the air con on, which I think should force it on - but still nothing.

Any ideas where to start with this one?

I've just read a few threads about a supposedly common green wire problem where the copper wire disintegrates underneath the wire cover, and causes similar problems to the one I've got. Where should I be looking, and what should I be doing? Are there any tips/walkthroughs on fixing the green wire issue? How easy/difficult a job is it to sort?

Thanks in advance for any pointers

[j24]

Help!

I'm still at a complete dead end with this one...

Have had a couple of runs in the car since, and the fan still isn't turning on at all.

I've spent a few hours attempting to figure out what I'd need to do to diagnose it. INPA is mentioned a lot, but I’m still not sure what to download - I can't even figure out which cable I'd need to actually get it working, seems like not all cables support the e86? Then there’s the question of drivers etc…

An AutoPhix looks a much easier tool to use, but I don't know if I'd be able to test the fan using it, I get the impression it may only be good for finding error codes instead of testing components.

So I'm at a loss as to how I diagnose this one. I'm hesitant to take it to a garage, as I fear they could turn around and go "yep, new £500 fan needed" when in reality it might just be the green wire issue I've seen a few posts about.

But looking at the wires, I can't see anything obviously wrong with the green wire to the naked eye. Although I have read that in a lot of cases it looks fine externally, it's only when you cut back the wire you discover it's disintegrated...




So if it is something as cheap as the green wire issue, how can I diagnose and fix??

Is it a case of starting to cut wires? Hesitant to do that until I know where/how much I should be cutting, what I need to disconnect/take apart etc.

Any help or guidance on what to do to diagnose, or even to actually examine the green wire would be massively appreciated it.

I’ve found numerous posts on the green wire issue but not much in way of an idiots guide to fixing what seems like a potentially simple issue!!

[mac27040]

https://bmwteka.com/wds/en/e85/48800912

[BumpyZ4]

The first thing you need to do is see if you are getting 12 volts at the fan. If you are then you just have a bad fan motor. If not, you need to see if you are losing the power feed or the ground (earth). Without checking that you are just shooting in the dark.

[bigwinn]

If you have inpa you can run the fan from it

That will tell you if the fan is working or not

I don’t think (but may be wrong) that will diagnose a green wire issue but in the first instance will diagnose a duff fan

I’d also use inpa to look at air con pressure

[bigwinn]

As for fixing it, if it’s the green wire, it’s v simple to bridge the connector

[dhobbs]

My green white looked fine externally but was rotten inside. I spliced about 6 inches of a new wire into the connector plus a new crimp. Works fine now.

Took two renowned independent specialists to misdiagnose it and me 10 minutes to fix it.

[j24]

Thanks all. I'm a complete amateur when it comes to this sort of thing... but the help is much appreciated!

INPA looks a little difficult to set up - but thinking I may need to take the plunge, get INPA to try and figure out if it is the green wire or not before I start mucking about with wires! I just need to figure out which K-CAN cable to get...

Any ideas if this one would work?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Diagnostic-Con ... 81071&th=1

For some reason E85/E86 isn't listed as being supported... I've encountered a few other cables that aren't listing Z4's as being compatible... I'm yet to find one that lists the e85/e86 as supported! Not sure why that is.

[j24]

My green white looked fine externally but was rotten inside. I spliced about 6 inches of a new wire into the connector plus a new crimp. Works fine now.

Took two renowned independent specialists to misdiagnose it and me 10 minutes to fix it.

Ha, that's pretty much my fear - hesitant to take it to a specialist, have a new (expensive!!) fan fitted and find out it's a £10/10 min fix!!

Although think it would probably take me a little longer... have dabbled in basic wiring around the house for video doorbell transformers and the like, but that's very much my limit and I was relying on instructions! Still, I'd like to think I could figure this one out and sort it myself if it is the green cable.

Glad to hear it was a simple fix.

[Penelope]

Where is this plug with the green wire. I cannot spot it under the engine anywhere on my E86 2008. Have the 65mph Paddle Auto Trans issue that is apparently caused by non working fan error.

Thank you!

Help!

I'm still at a complete dead end with this one...

Have had a couple of runs in the car since, and the fan still isn't turning on at all.

I've spent a few hours attempting to figure out what I'd need to do to diagnose it. INPA is mentioned a lot, but I’m still not sure what to download - I can't even figure out which cable I'd need to actually get it working, seems like not all cables support the e86? Then there’s the question of drivers etc…

An AutoPhix looks a much easier tool to use, but I don't know if I'd be able to test the fan using it, I get the impression it may only be good for finding error codes instead of testing components.

So I'm at a loss as to how I diagnose this one. I'm hesitant to take it to a garage, as I fear they could turn around and go "yep, new £500 fan needed" when in reality it might just be the green wire issue I've seen a few posts about.

But looking at the wires, I can't see anything obviously wrong with the green wire to the naked eye. Although I have read that in a lot of cases it looks fine externally, it's only when you cut back the wire you discover it's disintegrated...




So if it is something as cheap as the green wire issue, how can I diagnose and fix??

Is it a case of starting to cut wires? Hesitant to do that until I know where/how much I should be cutting, what I need to disconnect/take apart etc.

Any help or guidance on what to do to diagnose, or even to actually examine the green wire would be massively appreciated it.

I’ve found numerous posts on the green wire issue but not much in way of an idiots guide to fixing what seems like a potentially simple issue!!

[Penelope]

Please ignore, I see you have to take the Front Cover off under the Engine Bay. I thought it was visible without doing that!

Where is this plug with the green wire. I cannot spot it under the engine anywhere on my E86 2008. Have the 65mph Paddle Auto Trans issue that is apparently caused by non working fan error.

Thank you!

Help!

I'm still at a complete dead end with this one...

Have had a couple of runs in the car since, and the fan still isn't turning on at all.

I've spent a few hours attempting to figure out what I'd need to do to diagnose it. INPA is mentioned a lot, but I’m still not sure what to download - I can't even figure out which cable I'd need to actually get it working, seems like not all cables support the e86? Then there’s the question of drivers etc…

An AutoPhix looks a much easier tool to use, but I don't know if I'd be able to test the fan using it, I get the impression it may only be good for finding error codes instead of testing components.

So I'm at a loss as to how I diagnose this one. I'm hesitant to take it to a garage, as I fear they could turn around and go "yep, new £500 fan needed" when in reality it might just be the green wire issue I've seen a few posts about.

But looking at the wires, I can't see anything obviously wrong with the green wire to the naked eye. Although I have read that in a lot of cases it looks fine externally, it's only when you cut back the wire you discover it's disintegrated...




So if it is something as cheap as the green wire issue, how can I diagnose and fix??

Is it a case of starting to cut wires? Hesitant to do that until I know where/how much I should be cutting, what I need to disconnect/take apart etc.

Any help or guidance on what to do to diagnose, or even to actually examine the green wire would be massively appreciated it.

I’ve found numerous posts on the green wire issue but not much in way of an idiots guide to fixing what seems like a potentially simple issue!!