86 Radiator fan problem (help please)
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 221
Likes: 0
From: midwest Iowa
86 Radiator fan problem (help please)
I bought a upgrade kit for the 86 vette but I am having problems blowing fuses on the fan for the radiator, I bought the upgrade relay as the old one quit working. also on the pass side of the radiator there is a prong like an electrical spade and someone took the wire off it and grounded it to the frame. Can any one help wth headracking problem THANKS 
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,342
Likes: 264
From: Summerland B.C. Canada
Need more info !
What does this upgrade kit consist of ??
Here is how the stock main fan works and how to diagnose.
http://members.shaw.ca/corvette86/Co...%20Control.pdf
What does this upgrade kit consist of ??
Here is how the stock main fan works and how to diagnose.
http://members.shaw.ca/corvette86/Co...%20Control.pdf
Cruising
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Sac Ca
Ok so I'm as new at forum's as I am this 84 C4, my raditor fan quit last night so I installed a lower temp switch in the passenger side head, a 160 thermostat, and put in a new fan motor today. I warmed up the car the thermostat open fine but no power to the fan, I also tried the old motor in case new one was bad (shot in the dark) so now I have my first Corvette and it is just sitting in the driveway unable to be driven :-((........any help would be soooo very appreciated I'm new at this chasing electrical/sensor stuff guys
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,556
Likes: 13
Jumper the fan relay connector (remove relay from plug ) and see if fan runs.
If it doesn't then you have no power.
If it does then your relay may be bad or the wiring from relay to switch is faulty.
Also check fan fuse, if it is blown then you have no power on fan control circuit ( to temp switch ) and the relay will not operate
If everything is working right, you should be able to touch the wire to the temp switch to ground ( with key on ) and the fan will run , regardless of engine temp.
Cruising
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Sac Ca
Temp switch only grounds the fan relay so you need to have power to the relay and a working relay.
Jumper the fan relay connector (remove relay from plug ) and see if fan runs.
If it doesn't then you have no power.
If it does then your relay may be bad or the wiring from relay to switch is faulty.
Also check fan fuse, if it is blown then you have no power on fan control circuit ( to temp switch ) and the relay will not operate
If everything is working right, you should be able to touch the wire to the temp switch to ground ( with key on ) and the fan will run , regardless of engine temp.
Jumper the fan relay connector (remove relay from plug ) and see if fan runs.
If it doesn't then you have no power.
If it does then your relay may be bad or the wiring from relay to switch is faulty.
Also check fan fuse, if it is blown then you have no power on fan control circuit ( to temp switch ) and the relay will not operate
If everything is working right, you should be able to touch the wire to the temp switch to ground ( with key on ) and the fan will run , regardless of engine temp.
bare with me because I understand little about electrical circuts (it's pretty embaressing) so if I unplug the relay and turn the key on it should run the fan if the wiring is working properly...?? Clearly I am going to have to learn how to read electrical diagrams. I will try that first but I still think I should also use the new pig-tail for the switch the original one looks kinked and a bit tattered.
My car is a Z51 car as at least half of the 84's where so I seem to have all the performance options EXCEPT the dual fans :-(......how do I wire it in so I have both the push and pull units and should they be set a different temps as I have seen written about how they where from the factory...?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,838
Likes: 31
From: Australia
if you unplug the relay and join the to two thick wires in the relay connector together with a piece of wire , fan should run if you have power to the relay connector and wiring to fan correct.
Cruising
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Sac Ca
found that to be exactly the thing today........waiting for a crrect relay now....the new parts thus far worked great once I jumped the connector, I have high hopes I am however hoping I don't have to open the wiring loom and start replacing wires ( I hate doing that kind of thing it always getts tricky )
........I'm thinking of having my readitor rebuilt into a 4 core, I don't like the idea of these new radiators with plastic tanks I guess I'm just old fashioned like that. Thanks a bunch guys this forum has helped to bring down my electrical stress level a great deal
Last edited by newbie 84 C4; Jul 19, 2011 at 01:52 AM.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,838
Likes: 31
From: Australia
The main fan runs approx 228F and the Aux fan @ 238 from a seperate temp switch .
They can be wired so both operate off your new switch or you could install a lower temp switch to run aux fan ( or both ).
Aux fan doesn't really move much air so it you had real concerns about overheating, better to install a aftermarket pusher fan that moves more air.
Cruising
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Sac Ca
Do you have the fan and it is not working or do you want to install one?
The main fan runs approx 228F and the Aux fan @ 238 from a seperate temp switch .
They can be wired so both operate off your new switch or you could install a lower temp switch to run aux fan ( or both ).
Aux fan doesn't really move much air so it you had real concerns about overheating, better to install a aftermarket pusher fan that moves more air.
The main fan runs approx 228F and the Aux fan @ 238 from a seperate temp switch .
They can be wired so both operate off your new switch or you could install a lower temp switch to run aux fan ( or both ).
Aux fan doesn't really move much air so it you had real concerns about overheating, better to install a aftermarket pusher fan that moves more air.
