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[YZ250]

2010 Vauxhall Corsa 1.4 petrol.

As my daughter got out of her car today she said she could hear a bubbling/boiling sound from her car. I have been over to look at it myself tonight and after checking the aux belt and coolant level were all ok I found the following issues when I started the engine.

When started from cold, the radiator fan runs straight away constantly and doesn't stop.

My code reader shows codes P00B6 (Radiator Temperature Sensor) and P0116 (Engine Coolant  Temperature Sensor 1 Circuit Range/Performance.

Coolant level is good so no loss there and the coolant is clean from any contamination. The oil is black  but no mayo on stick.

I only had it idling and did not see it boil up but due to no coolant loss my initial thought was the thermostat stuck. After idling for a few minutes the coolant tank pipes were hot but the larger radiator pipes were not. I switched it off to check for boil up and sure enough the radiator hose got hot but not the hose connected to the stat end, which was still cold.

Me thinks I'll change the stat first but foresee changing the radiator sensor as well due to the fan running constant. I'm not sure if the stat has upset the rad sensor or if the sensor is knackered so the stat doesn't get the temp message to open. That's the problem with having a code reader, you have to work out if the code is the cause, or the result of the cause. 

Anyone come across this issue before, any guidance gratefully received as always. 

[dave the builder]

the engine cts will run fans constantly if it is open circuit
does your code reader give live data ?
a duff cts will sometimes read -40 degrees
cheap part ,order it anyway
voltage drops the warmer the cts gets 

[YZ250]

Thanks for that Dave, much appreciated. 

I did record the live data but if I'm honest I don't know what it all means.    Just having a look to see if it shows temperature.

[dave the builder]

IIRC the CTS  signal voltage is about 4.5 volts at cold say 15c ish ,dropping down to 0.5 volts when engine is hot 100c ish
i've had a brand new wet thermostat not open before too 
so an 8 year old one could be Up the Swanny 
also, corsa d is a pig to bleed completely if it dumps coolant
you can't just pour it into the header tank and hope for the best
bleeding one is probably discussed on the interweb 

[YZ250]

Thanks. 
All I can see temperature wise on my code reader is CATEMP 11, AAT, ETC and IAT. Will have another look tomorrow. 

Thanks for the info. 

[YZ250]

I have changed the cts, cleared the codes and currently have it idling to test. Fan did not come on after clearing the codes so all good there.

Dave,
Live data did indeed show -40 and after idling has climbed to, and maintained around 105. I was a bit concerned that the stat did not appear to open after the 'secret menu' temp showed 107 as it's meant to open at 103 but all hoses are hot now.    Fan has also just cut in so fingers crossed.
Thanks again for the info. 

[dave the builder]

I have changed the cts, cleared the codes and currently have it idling to test. Fan did not come on after clearing the codes so all good there.

Dave,
Live data did indeed show -40 and after idling has climbed to, and maintained around 105. I was a bit concerned that the stat did not appear to open after the 'secret menu' temp showed 107 as it's meant to open at 103 but all hoses are hot now.    Fan has also just cut in so fingers crossed.
Thanks again for the info. 

glad you managed to sort it
the CTS is very common on vauxhalls, probably lesser brands too 
sort of part i keep as a spare
and with a hot summer due , always worth checking any car has working fans when hot 

[dave the builder]

A better explanation and how to test CTS
http://www.topbuzz.co.uk/info/cts/cts.htm

http://www.topbuzz.co.uk/maintenance/cts/cts.htm

a very useful website for the older vauxhall 

as i said, bleeding all the air out of that 1.4 is a real PITA 

[YZ250]

Thanks for the links Dave, much appreciated.    I probably won't get a chance to look at it again until Friday but at least I have something to follow up now so thanks for that.