Installing Cool Temp Switch on '90
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,562
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From: "Drive like Hell, you'll get there faster." Tucson AZ
Installing Cool Temp Switch on '90
Just got one question that no one could answer for over 2 and a half weeks: How in the unholy f*** do you take out the spare coolant plug for the temp switch input between number 1 and number 3 spark plugs on a '90? The space looks like its for a robertson wrench(square end) at size 3/17 or somes***. They only make robertson wrenches in like 3 sizes all around town, all of which look like they're made to service friggin micro machines(literally). Idiots at Orielly Chevrolet told me a standard friggin allen wrench will do, but that's obviously bulls***. The plug isnt hex or star shaped and looks like a ratchet adapter might fit in there, but of course they make adapters in 3 standard sizes, none of which fits. I don't want to use auto fans as they burn out my relays when they're always on. If anyone did this mod which obviously a huge number claims they did, what tool did you use to remove that friggin plug? TiA
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Before 1990, both heads had a sensor or a switch and it wasn't the problem you are having. Is there any reason you expect the trigger signal from a temp switch to be easier on a relay than the signal from the ECM? After 1984, all the main fans have been ECM controlled. Only the aux fan used the switch. 1990 was the first year to have the ECM control both.
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Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 336
Likes: 3
From: State of Confusion
I understand your frustration, breath easy, no problem. Go to Napa, buy a cheap 3/8" drive extension and grind the flats to fit the plug. That's what I did and it worked, still have that tool today. I tried key stock, twisted that up like a pretzel, a good grade of square stock will work also.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 2,240
Likes: 42
From: Baltimore, MD USA
Originally Posted by MaSTeRofDZaSTeR
Just got one question that no one could answer for over 2 and a half weeks: How in the unholy f*** do you take out the spare coolant plug for the temp switch input between number 1 and number 3 spark plugs on a '90? The space looks like its for a robertson wrench(square end) at size 3/17 or somes***. If anyone did this mod which obviously a huge number claims they did, what tool did you use to remove that friggin plug? TiA
Do a search on Google http://www.google.com and search for pipe plug male socket.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,562
Likes: 1
From: "Drive like Hell, you'll get there faster." Tucson AZ
Originally Posted by CFI-EFI
Before 1990, both heads had a sensor or a switch and it wasn't the problem you are having. Is there any reason you expect the trigger signal from a temp switch to be easier on a relay than the signal from the ECM? After 1984, all the main fans have been ECM controlled. Only the aux fan used the switch. 1990 was the first year to have the ECM control both.
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Ever since I had problems with cooling issues, and replaced the tstat, the fans come on at about 240 degrees in traffic. Way too close for comfort. The signal from the ecm is obviously bad somehow, or something along that route. The coolant temp switch supposedly overrides the ecm so it'll come on sooner. The advantage here is hopefully the coolant switch will turn them on when I need them without keeping them on like the manuals will(eventually burning out the relays). I'm not wiring the manuals under the dash because essentially it was too much work to drill a hole through the bottom wiring(though through this whole plug ordeal, Im starting to appreciate the manual route). In other words, I just kept the auto fans going under the hood when the ignition was started.
Anyhow thanks all. I'll check for that pipe plug. No one I talked to at any auto parts store or even parts store for that matter(been to multiples of both) ever mentioned the name at all.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
The thermostat has nothing to do with the fan operating temps. Either you dislodged something during the thermostat change, or something has gone bad, coincidentally. It appears your are going to have to go to an extended effort to jury rig it and do a hash job. Why don't you just trouble shoot it and fix it?
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