Auxiliary Fan Switch Question
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Auxiliary Fan Switch Question
1981 Corvette with an auxiliary fan. I know the fan works (I disconnected the wire from the auxiliary fan switch and grounded it, which turned the fan on), but is there a way to test the switch aside from letting my coolant heat up to 238 degrees? I was driving the other day with the a/c on max and while sitting in traffic the coolant temp gauge went quite high and the aux fan did not kick in. I am not sure where 238 is on the gauge. Any tips or suggestions? Thanks!
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,116
Likes: 5
From: Middleburg Florida
You're talking about the sensor in the passenger side head right? You could put it in a pot of water with a thermometer in it, heat it up and see if the post grounds at the correct temp.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,248
Likes: 67
From: Warrington PA
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Unmodified
I read somewhere that there are switches available with lower temp settings for that fan. That is something you may be interested in, I know I am. When I bought my 82 a few months ago it had a new radiator installed, don't know what type, but it does keep the temp constant and down. I also have installed a 180 degree theromstat in place of the 195 unit, this may help you out as well. Also make sure that your radiator and condenser area are free of any debris so that you have constant air flow, but I assume you already know that. I will try to research lower temp switches for the aux fan, if I get any info, will relay to you.
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Thanks for all your input. I will seek out a switch with a lower temperature setting. 238 degrees (although the factory setting) seems a little high. Yes I am talking about the sensor on the right side (between the 6th & 8th spark plugs). What I meant by the gauge reading "quite high" was the needle going between the last white line and the beginning of the red zone on the gauge. I assume that was beyond the 238 point?
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,248
Likes: 67
From: Warrington PA
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Unmodified