Electric Fan activation

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Dec 6, 2009 | 01:43 PM

Potential C4 owner

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Electric Fan activation

At what temperature should the electric fan come on in an 88 model?

Dec 6, 2009 | 02:12 PM

engle1147

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From: Tampa Florida

With a stock ECM chip in place, the main cooling fan should come on @ ~ 238 F

Dec 6, 2009 | 02:18 PM

Potential C4 owner

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Quote:

Originally Posted by engle1147

With a stock ECM chip in place, the main cooling fan should come on @ ~ 238 F

WOW that seems awfully high/hot!!!

Dec 6, 2009 | 02:32 PM

engle1147

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From: Tampa Florida

Quote:

Originally Posted by Potential C4 owner

WOW that seems awfully high/hot!!!

Dec 6, 2009 | 03:31 PM

fevest

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Potential C4 owner

WOW that seems awfully high/hot!!!

Well, if the cooling system is working right it should not be a problem.

Dec 6, 2009 | 04:33 PM

Potential C4 owner

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I ran the car and at 240(on the dash)the front fan came on.When I turned off the ignition the fan stopped.The fan on the back side(engine side)never did come on.Is this correct?

Dec 6, 2009 | 05:22 PM

rodj

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From: Australia

Quote:

Originally Posted by Potential C4 owner

I ran the car and at 240(on the dash)the front fan came on.When I turned off the ignition the fan stopped.The fan on the back side(engine side)never did come on.Is this correct?

Main fan should come on before Aux ( in front ) fan
Check main fan relay and wiring

Dec 6, 2009 | 05:41 PM

Potential C4 owner

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I don't have a manual yet(I just got the car)can you tell me where the relay is?

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Dec 6, 2009 | 08:26 PM

FOURSPEEDVETTE

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From: Pennsylvania

My 85 fan comes on at 228 degrees. The aux. fan will come on when the main fan is running and you use your air conditioner. These cars do run hotter than some other cars, but it's completely normal and safe for the engine.

Dec 6, 2009 | 09:47 PM

#10

rodj

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Quote:

Originally Posted by FOURSPEEDVETTE

The aux. fan will come on when the main fan is running and you use your air conditioner.

Unless someone has changed the wiring ; from the factory the aux fan works independent of the main fan or A/c , controlled only by a seperate mech switch in the head.

Dec 6, 2009 | 10:24 PM

#11

tblt44

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From: Tampa Fl

I put a manuall switch in so i have control because I didn't like the high temps

Dec 7, 2009 | 10:25 AM

#12

FOURSPEEDVETTE

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From: Pennsylvania

Quote:

Originally Posted by rodj

Unless someone has changed the wiring ; from the factory the aux fan works independent of the main fan or A/c , controlled only by a seperate mech switch in the head.

You are correct. No wiring changes here. I only notice it on when I use the AC. It is controlled by a separate switch. The aux. fan will never run without the main fan being on. I believe this is the mormal function.

Dec 7, 2009 | 11:33 AM

#13

megtom2

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From: Cordova TN

Just change out the fan switch in the driver's side head and get the fron fan to turn on around 200. It will keep the engine around the 200-210 mark all day in traffic. Sitting and letting the engine run up to 230 is just not a good idea. IMO!

Dec 7, 2009 | 01:54 PM

#14

pmihaltian

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From: Charlotte NC

The main fan should come on somewhere in the 224-228 degree range. The main fan goes off when the water temperature goes down to 212 degrees. The auxiliary front fan should come on at about 235 degrees.

The fan relay is located on the driver side inner wheel well just a little left of the battery. The GM part number for the fan relay is 10038311. I have an extra one for $10 if you need it.

Attached Images

Last edited by pmihaltian; Dec 7, 2009 at 01:56 PM. Reason: added photo

Dec 7, 2009 | 04:06 PM

#15

Potential C4 owner

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Thanks for all the suggestions,so the only parts to the system is the fan,fan relay,switch on dr sd head,wiring.I will check these out tonight in the shop,thanks

Dec 7, 2009 | 04:34 PM

#16

Potential C4 owner

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Jet performance sells a fan switch that turns the fan on at 195 and shuts off at 185 what do you think of using one of these?

Dec 7, 2009 | 04:46 PM

#17

Potential C4 owner

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Quote:

Originally Posted by pmihaltian

Does the one relay run the 2 fans?The aux fan(front side)did come on at 240 deg.Where you pointed out for me to look there is 2 relays there.1 for each fan?

Dec 7, 2009 | 06:43 PM

#18

rodj

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From: Australia

Quote:

Originally Posted by megtom2

Just change out the fan switch in the driver's side head

Wrong
The switch (if fitted ) only controls the Aux fan.Main fan is controlled by computer .
To make that switch operate main fan requires wiring mods to have main fan run off that switch as well as computer

Quote:

Originally Posted by megtom2

Sitting and letting the engine run up to 230 is just not a good idea.

The factory thought different

Last edited by rodj; Dec 7, 2009 at 06:53 PM.

Dec 7, 2009 | 06:51 PM

#19

rodj

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From: Australia

Quote:

Originally Posted by Potential C4 owner

Does the one relay run the 2 fans?...

No.
Two seperate indedendently operated systems
Only '90+ had both fans controlled by computer

Quote:

Originally Posted by Potential C4 owner

.Where you pointed out for me to look there is 2 relays there.1 for each fan?

As noted by pmihaltian , the main fan relay is by the battery ; the aux fan relay is in front of the radiator shroud , to the right of the LH headlight

Quote:

Originally Posted by FOURSPEEDVETTE

The aux. fan will never run without the main fan being on. I believe this is the mormal function.

As above , aux fan operation ( in '86 - '89 ) is completely seperate from main fan.The aux fan is coming on because the engine is above the temp setting as noted by pmihaltian above.
If you were to disconnect the main fan the aux fan would still run once it reaches it's set temp

Dec 7, 2009 | 09:42 PM

#20

Potential C4 owner

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Ok, so the aux relay is on the fan shroud and I can see it no problem.The main fan relay is to the left of the battery all by itself and not mounted to the firewall correct?

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