On 1988 760TI there is a 2-wire temperature sensor at the top right (looking ahead)side of the radiator. One of the leads is broken but the car seems to run the same and it's not for the gauge.
Any ideas?

Thank you, all. When I cross the leads, the fan does start up. No rush fixing it though as I'm in the middle of a Canadian winter (-32C warming to -15C).

Hi Paul.

Yes it's the thermostat for the electric fan, positioned between the grille and the radiator. Both wires should be connected to the 'stat, whichever order OK. If you short the two wires the fan should run. If it doesn't, either the fan is faulty or you have no power in the wires, or both. On my 87 760GLE the fan had seized due to corrosion and looked like total scrap. However I dismantled it and cleaned and sandpapered off all the rust and lubricated it, then used a good tape to seal up the joints in its motor housing to protect it, and it worked just like new again. I also replaced the thermostat.

In hot weather or when I am towing a caravan I do not feel this fan kicks in early enough or at all, and I know some people fix up a switch on the dash to turn it on manually for the required cooling. Hope this is of some help.

Regards,

Kjartan

If I remember correctly that temp sensor triggers the auxiliary electric fan in front of the radiator to kick in when it gets really hot. If you live somewhere warm your car might overheat come summertime, but I don't think it should be noticeable during the winter... it is still winter regardless of the 60 degree temps in NY, right?

-rt

Does your electric fan work?