Manual Fan Switch
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Instructor
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 132
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Manual Fan Switch
Awhile back i purchased a relay, and a switch for a manual fan switch. I also need some wire to go through the firewall, my friend said 12 guage wire. Is that correct? Where can i buy this at? thanks... :cheers:
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Joined: Sep 2000
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From: The Top of Utah
Re: Manual Fan Switch (=Agent-Smith=)
As said, 12 guage should be more than big enough. Also, as stated, hardware, and Auto parts stores, too. Just be sure to get "stranded" wire and not one solid conductor, like house wiring. I use my manual switch to ground the primary or low amperage side of the stock relay. No separate relay is needed. Good luck, and...
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: St. Charles, MO Route 66 Corvette Club
Re: Manual Fan Switch (=Agent-Smith=)
I do not know what you have been advised on this, but reading what has been written raises some questions! If you are placing a secondary switch and you will be using the original relay to start the fan, you do not need 12 gage wire. I would recommend 18 gage, stranded wire. This wire does not carry much current. Insead, it just grounds a solenoid wire to operate the relay. I did this to my 89 about a year ago and it is working great. If you were to "direct wire" the fan without a relay, you would need 12 gage wire to carry the current. Doing this is a safety or fire hazard! If you need more details on this, shoot me an email! Sam
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Joined: Sep 2000
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From: The Top of Utah
Re: Manual Fan Switch (Sam Lam)
I agree. Sam is right. I didn't want to contardict some one avising the use of 12 guage wire. The only disadvantages to using wire larger than needed is cost and unnecessary weight added to the car, both minimal on a project like this. I used 14 guage on mine, and I'm sure that was "overkill", but that is what I had on hand. Good luck, and...
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Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Re: Manual Fan Switch (=Agent-Smith=)
To manually turn on your main fan in your C4, all you need to do is wire a SPST toggle switch from the green/wh wire on the fan relay to ground. The ECM turns on the fan by grounding this wire. You do not need a separate relay, and the fan relay coil current is very small and does not require a large wire at all , #18 or even #30 will easily and safely carry this current.
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Joined: Apr 1999
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From: North Yorkshire, England
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Re: Manual Fan Switch (jfb)
All true. Also, opening the dark green wire going to the ECM pin D11 will cause the ECM to command the fan on, if you don't feel like messing around with the underhood stuff.
