15 replies to this topic

[WhRob]

My mini was originally a 92 Mayfair (998 carb) and it had an auxiliary fan which was operated by a switch on the dashboard. The car has been messed with and I thought that the fan was an aftermarket affair so when I tidied the dashboard I've left it disconnected.

I've since read that some cars up to 92/93 had a thermostatic fan? Have I got this right and if so where would the thermostatic switch go?

Edited by WhRob, 25 February 2024 - 03:33 PM.

[mab01uk]

All 1275cc Rover Mini Coopers 1990 onwards had an auxiliary electric fan but I don't think the 998cc carb Minis ever had an electric fan as standard. The factory fitted fan from 1991 has a large circular hole in the inner wing and a fan like below until the launch of the MPi front mounted radiator in 1996 . The thermostatic switch is fitted into the bottom of the radiator (see diagram in link) :-

https://www.somerfor...d-hoses-1991-on

 

 

The early RSP Coopers (1990) had a different fan assembly to the later mainstream Rover Coopers (1991 on) which is now quite rare.

Edited by mab01uk, 25 February 2024 - 04:42 PM.

[WhRob]

Thanks, so the fan on my car will be aftermarket and I'll just wire it in as it was before.

Does anyone have any good switch ideas for an original (oval binaccle) style dash? I'd like to keep it looking clean and classic so maybe under a dash rail? 🤔

[mab01uk]

I fitted an extra Rocker switch for the fan in the plastic 24G 6617 black plastic BRACKET fitted as standard under the dash rail of some earlier Minis.

It had the heated rear window and fog light switch (before they were relocated to later dash switch panel) and a spare switch hole with a blanking panel in.

Item 52 & 53 here:-

https://www.somerfor...-lights-1959-75

 

BRACKET-PLASTIC-HEATED REAR WINDOW & FOG SWITCH:-

https://www.somerfor...ndow-fog-switch

Edited by mab01uk, 25 February 2024 - 08:14 PM.

[cal844]

I used an extended length toggle switch (similar to rally minis) it was a lucas item but I can't recall the part number

[stuart bowes]

if you're talking about wiring it direct from 12v through a switch (and fuse?) then you're gonna need something that can handle the current

 

https://www.12voltpl...7e6Ev--2eC8qDaw

 

(30a rated)

 

toggle type switches do look better in older cars in my opinion, the polished metal look instead of the ubiquitous black plastic modern style 

 

if you're doing it via a relay (probably the wiser choice) you have a lot more options obviously.  either way again due to current, the wiring needs to be chosen to suit

 

apologies if this is teaching to suck eggs

Edited by stuart bowes, 26 February 2024 - 09:32 AM.

[WhRob]

if you're talking about wiring it direct from 12v through a switch (and fuse?) then you're gonna need something that can handle the current

https://www.12voltpl...7e6Ev--2eC8qDaw

(30a rated)

toggle type switches do look better in older cars in my opinion, the polished metal look instead of the ubiquitous black plastic modern style

if you're doing it via a relay (probably the wiser choice) you have a lot more options obviously. either way again due to current, the wiring needs to be chosen to suit

apologies if this is teaching to suck eggs

Really helpful reminder and I like the idea of the metal toggle switch if I can find a bracket like the one above for the plastic switches.
Will need to be somewhere fairly handy so I guess under the lower dash rail on driver's lhs

[stuart bowes]

If you don't want to make one yourself, you might find something old looking on ebay that would fit in nicely?

 

https://www.ebay.co....HVYMKR611RFDXD7

 

that one's 25a so check if that's enough .. but again, if using relay, would be fine

 

(**im not the seller, no garuntee of quality, etc)

Edited by stuart bowes, 26 February 2024 - 12:45 PM.

[WhRob]

Just returning to this particular project and thinking I'll wire in a relay and hit a very noddy question.
I can get a yellow relay but I'm struggling to find a plug to connect the relay into the loom? Can anyone help (I'm sure it's obvious)

[mini-mad-mark]

How do you mean?

 

You can't find a plug (actually you want a socket to "plug" the relay into)  because there isn't one in the loom for the fan as its an add-on so there never was one.

 

Or you can't find a socket to make/add to the loom.

 

Ebay, Car builder Supplies, many auto electrical stores and other places, or just google relay socket and choose your preferred source,

[stuart bowes]

https://www.12voltpl...-12v-3040a.html

 

https://www.12voltpl...-terminals.html

 

(ampere rating pending what fan it is and what wattage / amps are on the label)

Edited by stuart bowes, 21 August 2024 - 10:20 PM.

[GraemeC]

You could get away just using female spade connectors pushed straight onto the relay pins. Bit Heath Robinson, but if the relay is one with a tab to secure it to something then it’d work fine (just don’t have the relay hanging off the wires).

This one is even fused for you:
https://www.halfords...wE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Edited by GraemeC, 22 August 2024 - 08:22 AM.

[WhRob]

Thanks both, I had a proper dopey moment and couldn't think what the things were called and couldn't find them on mini spares etc. have picked some up, planned where the switch is going so hopefully will make a nice little project over the weekend

[WhRob]

Success!
The wiring is a bit messy behind the dash but I've got it all wired up and working nicely.
Thanks for the advice!

[Stewart8210]

My 1996 Equinox appears to have an electric cooling fan outside the inner wing. Would that be original?