C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Lower temp fan switch.....

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Old Apr 7, 2003 | 07:21 PM
  #1  
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Default Lower temp fan switch.....

I have had a few people tell me to get the switch that makes the cooling fan come on at a lower temp,
I wonder is this a special part I have to get at Ecklers, Etc or is there a "generic" part I can pick up at the corner parts store?
Um...where is this switch stuck in the engine at...:skep:
Thanks.... charlie :flag
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Old Apr 7, 2003 | 08:19 PM
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Default Re: Lower temp fan switch..... (The13Bats)

What model ???
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Old Apr 7, 2003 | 08:53 PM
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Default Re: Lower temp fan switch..... (jimswhite92)

1986, the lower the switchs on temp the better,
thanks, Charles :flag


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Old Apr 7, 2003 | 08:58 PM
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Default Re: Lower temp fan switch..... (The13Bats)

On my '84 it is on the right side of the engine, between cyls, 6 and 8, in the head. I think it changed sides of the car, in later years. Also on the '84, it is ECU "independent". When the temp reaches the preset value, the switch closes, and grounds the primary side of the fan relay. The switch is really nothing special. When I went looking for one, I looked up the stocker in the catalog, then went to the back of the book, in the numerical section and picked out a switch with the correct threads, electrical connection, and a "temp on" that I liked. I don't know what year car you have, and therefore your system, but that's what worked for me. "Your milage may vary."

RACE ON!!!

[EDIT] You posted after I started writing, and I didn't know your year until I posted. On the '86, the switch is on the other side of the engine. Since the heads are the same, left and right, that puts it between cyls 1 & 3. I believe that switch only controls a second fan, and that the primary fan is controlled by the ECU. That last part is subject to correction. Good luck.


[Modified by CFI-EFI, 7:06 PM 4/7/2003]
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Old Apr 8, 2003 | 12:14 AM
  #5  
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Default Re: Lower temp fan switch..... (The13Bats)

I got mine from MAD. The fan switch and the harness that connected into the fan relays was like $25. Best money I've spent on the car. In conjunction with a 160 deg. stat my car now rarely goes above 200 deg. where it used to get as hot as 235-240 in traffic :eek:
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Old Apr 8, 2003 | 12:15 AM
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Default Re: Lower temp fan switch..... (TA)

I dont know if anyone other than the Vette vendors sells one, but i suppose you could make one yourself.

Id buy one from MAD or Ecklers.
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Old Apr 8, 2003 | 12:47 AM
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Default Re: Lower temp fan switch..... (vader86)

Is the fan involved with the computer at all on my 86?
I have an adjustable thermostat from another electric fan I could use if the fan on this car isn't talking to the computer.... :skep: the extra fan I bought years back came with an adapter and was sold as a c4 fan upgrade....
Thanks, Charlie.... :flag
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Old Apr 8, 2003 | 12:55 AM
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Default Re: Lower temp fan switch..... (The13Bats)

The main fan can be controlled by the ECM, but you can also wire it to come on.
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Old Apr 8, 2003 | 01:16 AM
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Default Re: Lower temp fan switch..... (The13Bats)

When I had my IROC I bought a low temp switch from the GM dealer... It was a $15 part that replaced the stock one between cylinders 6 & 8... No extra wiring, switches, etc...

They should be able to look up the part number for you at the dealership, or you should be able to get one at any of the parts stores...
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Old Apr 8, 2003 | 01:29 AM
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Default Re: Lower temp fan switch..... (The13Bats)

Cant you just hook a toggle switch to the cooling fan so you can turn it on and off as you please?
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Old Apr 8, 2003 | 04:20 AM
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Default Re: Lower temp fan switch..... (The13Bats)

On the 86 the plug is on the drivers side between cylinder 1 and 3. Get the partt form Ecklers or Corvette central. If the plug wont come out to fit the sensor you can get some addapters from home Depot and istall it in the heater hose and then ground the switch to the car.
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Old Apr 8, 2003 | 01:46 PM
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Default Re: Lower temp fan switch..... (jtfrog)

Years back I only ran an electric fan on my custom midyear, at cruises people wanted to bet me $$$ it just had to overheat it never did...
on this 86 I didn't know if the fan is all wired into the computer and if I start changing switches and fans the computer will freak out....I bought what was sold as a 84-8 something upgrade fan basically it's that fan Ecklers sells for 200.00 from "be cool" .....back when I bought it it came with an adapter to bolt right to the stock fan holes on like my 86 I have it and would like to use it, then not too long ago my dad "played" with electric fans on his Avanti, and gave me a brand new ajustableelectric fan thermostat, I would like to use it and at the very least this upgrade fan, but I didn't want to freak out any computers :skep:
Thanks for the help...
Charlie.... :flag
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Old Apr 8, 2003 | 02:12 PM
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Default Re: Lower temp fan switch..... (The13Bats)

If you guys don't mind me jumping in the middle of this one, I'm curious about the same thing for my car. As you see in my sig, it's a stock '94 automatic LT1. What are my options here? New computer? :nonod:

The first fan, STOCK, is set to come on at 226, the second one at 234. :rant: :skep: :rant: Too high for my taste. I'd love for it to come on at 200, personally.

Sorry for jumping in the middle of this, but I have similar issues.
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Old Apr 8, 2003 | 06:37 PM
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Default Re: Lower temp fan switch..... (The13Bats)

Fan Switch GM part # 3053190 ON @ 200'F, OFF @ 185'F

On a 89 the switch is between cyl 1 and 3 which only turns on the aux fan. The main fan is controlled by the ecm. Someone can reprogram the ecm to turn on the main fan at what ever temp you want. Or, there is a tech article that explains how to connect both fans to be operated by the temp switch.

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Old Apr 8, 2003 | 07:05 PM
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Default Re: Lower temp fan switch..... (The13Bats)

Also change the computer chip.......
tony
:cheers: :flag
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Old Apr 8, 2003 | 10:03 PM
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Default Re: Lower temp fan switch..... (oldace84)

I will definately look into getting that guys. Thanks.

But when I openned this thread, I was hoping that I dould find a way to easily turn off the compressor when the AC is on so the fan turns on. After long drives in the hot weather, I would like to be able to kill the engine and turn on only the fan. Only way to turn the fan is by turning on the AC. Any help here.

I would also like to be able to use this at autocross events. :auto:
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Old Apr 9, 2003 | 01:12 AM
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Default Re: Lower temp fan switch..... (McShagger)

In my 66 I just wired the fan to a on switch that was about 200 degrees on and then a second override where I could turn it on when I wanted it on,

now with my 86 I wanted to know if I would muck up the whole car due to some connection with the computer the fan might have...as u see I'm no c4 guy....I plan to add the special heavy duty fan I have and the lower temp switch but does this mean I have to change comp chips and ask HAL 9000's permission to change this stuff...computers you gotta love them or hate them... :p:
So....is the fan on my 86 involved in the computer or not?
Oh yeah , how many fans does my 86 have I only see one on the back of the radiator?:skep:
Thanks, Charlie. :flag


[Modified by The13Bats, 6:19 AM 4/9/2003]
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Old Apr 9, 2003 | 02:26 AM
  #18  
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Default Re: Lower temp fan switch..... (The13Bats)

Your ECM grounds the gn/wh wire from the fan relay to turn on the main fan.The switch on the right side of the block is a sending unit to operate the dash coolant temperature only. There is another temperature sending unit on the front of the block that tells the ECM what temp the coolant is , and this is what the ECM uses to turn on the main fan.
If you connect another wire through a switch to ground from the gn/wh wire
you can turn on the fan anytime without using the A/c.
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