I have a 1994 with factory ECM settings in place. I wanted to add the manual switch to operate the fans and go with a 160* stat, I thought I remember seeing a switch with the wires and neccessary hardware and instructions in one of my old catalogs, but can't seem to locate it now. Has anyone else done this? Any idea where I can locate the part number for the kit? Any help is appreciated.
Jim :flag


[Modified by jims_red_94LT1, 10:47 AM 5/30/2002]

 

I bought my switch from Ecklers. It was cheap, Around $20.00. I am able to run either fan. I mainly bought it for the track. I do use it in traffic. I have a 180 thermastat. I did not change the sending unit to activate the fans at a lower temp. But normal driving the temp does not go past 195. The fans are not able to be used when the car is off. That is the only thing I did not like. I would like to have the fan running with the car off to cool the engine. It took about 20 minutes to install. The instructions where not the best, But I was able to figure it out with a few mistakes. You will need a test light to find the correct wire. The instructions do have the correct color for the wires. I was just being carefull by checking the wires first before I attached the wires. I did not want to melt anything. Good Luck

 

Corvette Central also sells the kits

 

I did mine with a 75 cent toggle switch and a couple pieces of wire. I ran a wire from the green/white wire on the relay to ground and placed the toggle between the two. Don't know about your 94, but I really don't think electricty has changed that much in 10 years. :lol:

 

You are correct, sir - on the wire color (I believe on my 94, the main relay wire color was dark blue and the aux realy was green/white). I made the same mod last weekend. My toggle switch cost a buck two ninety five and I wired both the fans to a double pole single throw switch. Now they both come on when I want them and I can keep the engine temp at 195. I really like being able to control the temp with just a switch - I can watch traffic and if it's getting jammed up....click, and the temp stays tolerable. A cheap fix for a lot of peace of mind during St. Louis summers.
:seeya

 

Thanks for info guys, I'm going to be doing this next weekend. Last weekend going down to Ocean City (MD) I was stuck in Annapolis in a 1 hour backup to the Bay Bridge, I was dying...up to 227 fans come on it would get to maybe 230 then down to 217 and then repeat. TOO hot for me!
Jim :flag

 

MId america has a manual fan switch kit...i have one on my car and it definately helps if you get stuck in traffic :p:

 

interesting thing..


so, can i just install a switch which brings ground to the coil of the relay?

will this be safe, or set a trouble code?

i,m familliar with electronics, but better ask than repair

:cheers:

 

:yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod: Just slide a wire next to or splice into the green and white wire, then to ground...with a toggle between .

 

ok..i checked it out..

4 cables..two thick ones, that runs the fan when shortened, a thin red/black one which is hot, when ignizton on, and a thin blue/white one which is on the - contact..this cable must run to the ecm..

excuse my maybe dumb questioning, but when i ground this cable via a toggle, is this safe..i don´t want to toast my ecm..

i think, it doesn´t harm the ecm, but better ask...

ok, thanks

 

The ECM grounds one relay coil wire to turn on the fan. You are paralleling a switch with the ECM, so you cannot harm the ECM. When the switch is open, the ECM can still control the fan. Inside the ECM is a switching transistor and the ECM applies base current to the transistor which turns on the emitter collector junction. If your manual switch is on, then there will be no current through the emitter collector circuit of the ECM switch transistor which does no harm whatsoever.

 

ok, thats what i want to know...

thanks

:cheers:

would you run only the main fan with a switch, or run main and aux fan with a switch each, or one switch for main and aux?

im thinking of installing 2 switches, one for main fan, one for aux fan


[Modified by corvette90, 3:54 AM 6/2/2002]

 

I installed a manual switch a long time ago in my 87 and I have it turn on the main fan and it is entirely adequite in cooling my engine when the temp starts going up. Take your garden hose and blast water backwards through the radiator and then blast water around the radiator cap gap to wash out the debris removed. It made a difference for me and I'm too lazy to remove the radiator to manually clean the radiator.

 

LOL if that isn't ghetto I dunno wtf is. I guess whatever works though. :lol: :)

 

Actually Jim, yes I'm lookin in the Mid America Designs catalog right now. The part number for what you're lookin for is 609-118 for the Manual Fan switch for vettes 94-95 LT1s. The 1984-93 Manual Switch(which works with ZR-1's too) just for any other peoples' reference if they need it is 609-116.(I just ordered it). Currently 12.99 each. You can order them through http://www.madvet.com if you don't have the catalog. You jus caught me in the middle of a major renovation to mine as I'm doin the same s*** with the 160* stat plus alot of added stuff for it to run cooler which is why I've got the catty handy :) Something I noticed though is that fo 84-91's they also sell a Fan Switch and conversion harness for kickin it on automatically at 200* and off at 185* which is also what I'm puttin in, but they dont have one like that for the LT1s. I guess the only option you've got with those is to either use the Hypertech chip(NOT Street Runner with 160*) or manually command it everywhere you go. The manuals somethin Im still usin on the side but it seems almost as a necessity for LT1s. Oh and the switches are obviously for both dual and single fan equipped vettes.


[Modified by MaSTeRofDZaSTeR, 9:57 AM 6/3/2002]


[Modified by MaSTeRofDZaSTeR, 10:00 AM 6/3/2002]

 

Hey thanks for the reply, I was able to locate an old catalog and get the part ordered. I'm not sure about using the water hose to cool things down either, kinda hard to find in rush hour traffic if you know what I mean. No flames intended, just trying to cool down when traffic is encountered.
Jim :flag

 

jfb was talking about cleaning the radiator, using a hose; not cooling the radiator. Don't think it would be wise to hit a hot radiator with a hose, also probably not wise anywhere near an opti-spark.

Tech tips section has a nice article on cleaning the radiator in an pre- 90 car. Similar for 90 up, but harder to get the shroud off.

 

Great timing guys! :D I'm also in the middle of trying to cool a 91 L98 down. I've got the after market switch but on a 91 you have to pull a 13/16" plug out to install. Any idea where to get a deep socket in that size? :confused:

 

Lots of folks have had a hard time with that plug. Suggest you get a really good tool to get it out, like snap-on. Soak in PB blaster or something for a while.

Better yet, get a chip from somebody on the board and skip the temp switch!