In my 1969 E Type roadster I noticed that the cooling fans stopped working.
I removed fans and they run when connected directly to the battery.
A long time ago I bypassed the switch so the fans would run when the ignition was turned on. I live in South Florida.
I tested the connecting wires to the fans with a test light and they both are getting power when the ignition switch is on. But maybe not enough power to run the fans.
I noticed that the ballast resistor gets very hot when the ignition is turned on. Even when I disconnect the cooling fans.
The engine runs strong with and without the cooling fans connected.
Is there any relationship between the ballast getting hot and the cooling fans not working?
Could I have bad relays to the fans?

Submitted by drdickw@bellso… on Tue, 06/03/2014 - 00:41

Hi Bill and Bob,
The least I could do to thank you for your suggestions would be to tell you about a happy ending.
The engine runs great and I don't care how hot the ballast resistor gets because both my cooling fans work. The fix. Replacing the relays.
After doing everything else.I replaced the relays to the fans because I ran out of things to do. They work like new and my E type is as cool as new.
Another Jaguar electrical solved. At least for now!
People just can't understand why nobody wants to work on a Jaguar. Until they own one. I have 3 E types. Triple trouble!!!

Submitted by redbil@aol.com on Tue, 05/27/2014 - 21:36

Richard,

For a few dollars you can buy an inexpensive volt meter. It seems likely that you will not measure 12 volts at the motor terminals (or they would run). Bob's suggestions are good ones and probably include the actual problem. With a meter, you can step through the circuit components to find the point when 12 volts (or the ground) is open.

My 68 has no ballast resistor so I am not sure what temperature rise is normal. If you have the ignition on but the engine stopped, the coil current will be higher than normal. If that is the case, check the temperature after the engine has been running and then stopped.

Bill Braun

Submitted by Bfastr@cox.net on Thu, 05/22/2014 - 15:24

I am not the resident expert, but, the ballast resistor is part of the ignition circuit, its in series with the coil, and has nothing to do with the fans. make sure you have the right coil in your car, the original design was for the coil to split the supply voltage with that ballast resistor except when starting, the idea being an easier start in cold temps. just google e-type ballast resistors for plenty of reading material.

As for the fans,
I would start with fuse #6. even if it looks good, tests "good" , replace it, and clean the contacts at the same time. this is the usual culprit in most electrical problems I find.

you could have a bad relay, but I would bet its a poor connection someplace else. like the fuse.
if you dont have an Air Conditioned car there is one relay, and it basically passes 12volts to the fans when the thermostat switch gets hot and the contacts close, grounding the relay,

Bob F