Auxillary cooling fan
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,085
Likes: 7
From: Kanata ON.
Auxillary cooling fan
88 - L98
I have the auxillary fan in front of the AC and rad, I just replaced the rad and did a complete flush plus added water wetter. I would like to switch the fan on when the temps exceed 230. This rarely happens but I'm on my way to Carlisle and when in traffic it does climb quite high! I'm old school and when I see those types of temps I panic. Can I just run a switch to the sensor located below and inbetween the #1 and #3 spark plug? I would assume that it goes to ground to activate the fan?
John
I have the auxillary fan in front of the AC and rad, I just replaced the rad and did a complete flush plus added water wetter. I would like to switch the fan on when the temps exceed 230. This rarely happens but I'm on my way to Carlisle and when in traffic it does climb quite high! I'm old school and when I see those types of temps I panic. Can I just run a switch to the sensor located below and inbetween the #1 and #3 spark plug? I would assume that it goes to ground to activate the fan?
John
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,961
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From: WI
You run the green wire with the white stripe to ground that is on the fan relay. The aux fan relay is on the drivers side top of the radiator shroud. The main fan relay is on the drivers side wheel liner by the M/C. Solder on a wire and run it into the cabin through the boot under the drivers side hood latch. Solder that wire onto a switch and then run the other wire to ground, I used a wire connector with a round hole that went under a nut by the steering column. I drilled a hole by the ALDL and attached the switch there. I am not sure the aux fan will help, I removed it on mine as extra weight and noticed slightly less cruise temps without it. I have just the main fan on a manual switch and only use it at the track.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,085
Likes: 7
From: Kanata ON.
When I see the temp's climb and it's hot out the AC is on and the fan is running on the engine side of the Rad, I just thought that running the auxillary fan would help it out a bit more? When stuck in traffic it the temps scare me!
John
John
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,961
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From: WI
How hot does it get exactly? Mine does not get that hot. Yours might need the space between the radiator and condensor cleaned. Debris builds up, look in the gaps by the radiator cap down in front of the radiator. Does it have new coolant? If the main fan is running the aux fan running to isn't going to do much.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: The Top of Utah
Since you just replaced the radiator, I doubt you have debris in between the radiator and condenser. You assume correctly that the auxiliary fan switch between the #1 & #3 plugs in your '88, grounds the primary side of the aux fan relay, activating the fan. You can run your manual switch wires to either the fan switch in the head or to the fan relay. However, your aux fan switch is probably set at about 237°. So you may not really need to make a change. Other than the manual switch you cold buy a slightly lower temp fan switch.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,642
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From: One day you're a Comet...the next day you're dust... Arkansas
88 - L98
I have the auxillary fan in front of the AC and rad, I just replaced the rad and did a complete flush plus added water wetter. I would like to switch the fan on when the temps exceed 230. This rarely happens but I'm on my way to Carlisle and when in traffic it does climb quite high! I'm old school and when I see those types of temps I panic. Can I just run a switch to the sensor located below and inbetween the #1 and #3 spark plug? I would assume that it goes to ground to activate the fan?
John
I have the auxillary fan in front of the AC and rad, I just replaced the rad and did a complete flush plus added water wetter. I would like to switch the fan on when the temps exceed 230. This rarely happens but I'm on my way to Carlisle and when in traffic it does climb quite high! I'm old school and when I see those types of temps I panic. Can I just run a switch to the sensor located below and inbetween the #1 and #3 spark plug? I would assume that it goes to ground to activate the fan?
John
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 7,839
Likes: 22
From: San Diego, Ca
But plenty of Vettes left the Factory with one fan and never saw 230. With a new radiator, I agree that air flow probably isn't a problem. I would, as a starting point, see what the ECM is seeing and when it's turning on the Fan. You can also compare those findings to your Display - often a few degrees hotter because that signal is from a different source. Hook up a scanner and check it with a/c on and off. With the a/c on - it should be a few degrees cooler. Repost your findings. Running the Aux fan with the Main - for extended periods of time - can easily overtax the alternator. When that happens, the fans will slow down and the temps will creep back up.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,085
Likes: 7
From: Kanata ON.
Since you just replaced the radiator, I doubt you have debris in between the radiator and condenser. You assume correctly that the auxiliary fan switch between the #1 & #3 plugs in your '88, grounds the primary side of the aux fan relay, activating the fan. You can run your manual switch wires to either the fan switch in the head or to the fan relay. However, your aux fan switch is probably set at about 237°. So you may not really need to make a change. Other than the manual switch you cold buy a slightly lower temp fan switch.
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,085
Likes: 7
From: Kanata ON.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,085
Likes: 7
From: Kanata ON.
"on at 200 degree and off at 185 "
So as not to burn out the fan, a switch to turn it on at 220 and off at 200 is what I would need! Or at least something in that range, or I'll just wire in a switch and turn it on when the traffic gets stopped and it needs more cooling!
John
So as not to burn out the fan, a switch to turn it on at 220 and off at 200 is what I would need! Or at least something in that range, or I'll just wire in a switch and turn it on when the traffic gets stopped and it needs more cooling!
John
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,961
Likes: 707
From: WI
"on at 200 degree and off at 185 "
So as not to burn out the fan, a switch to turn it on at 220 and off at 200 is what I would need! Or at least something in that range, or I'll just wire in a switch and turn it on when the traffic gets stopped and it needs more cooling!
John
So as not to burn out the fan, a switch to turn it on at 220 and off at 200 is what I would need! Or at least something in that range, or I'll just wire in a switch and turn it on when the traffic gets stopped and it needs more cooling!
John
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Originally Posted by JohnyH
"on at 200 degree and off at 185 "
So as not to burn out the fan, a switch to turn it on at 220 and off at 200 is what I would need! Or at least something in that range, or I'll just wire in a switch and turn it on when the traffic gets stopped and it needs more cooling!
John
So as not to burn out the fan, a switch to turn it on at 220 and off at 200 is what I would need! Or at least something in that range, or I'll just wire in a switch and turn it on when the traffic gets stopped and it needs more cooling!
John
Originally Posted by BADDUCK
You won't burn out the fan but if you do, so what, theyr'e $40.
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,085
Likes: 7
From: Kanata ON.
Has anyone here tried do this and found a part number?
John
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Originally Posted by JohnyH
I agree 100% but the local GM shop isn't very helpful on that question?
Has anyone here tried do this and found a part number?
John
Has anyone here tried do this and found a part number?
John
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