Help, fan not working!
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
Help, fan not working!
I got a 86 Vette on a trade last night and for some reason the cooling fan is not coming on. The guy I got the car from has run a toggle switch to the fan and it will run fine that way. What kind of switch does the car use to cut the fan on and where is it located? Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Donald
Donald
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,130
Likes: 2
From: seattle WA
It's on the drivers side between cyclinders #1 and 3 with a single green wire. Alot of guys have gone with a lower temp switch or manual
control (toggle switch). Our vettes were designed to run at high temps, and the switch would activate the fan around 220-228 degrees,there's also a fan relay located on the drivers side wheel well-in front of the battery. I suggest you get the Helms manuals.
control (toggle switch). Our vettes were designed to run at high temps, and the switch would activate the fan around 220-228 degrees,there's also a fan relay located on the drivers side wheel well-in front of the battery. I suggest you get the Helms manuals.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Originally Posted by rick lambert
It's on the drivers side between cyclinders #1 and 3 with a single green wire.
I suggest you get the Helms manuals.
I suggest you get the Helms manuals.
RACE ON!!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,130
Likes: 2
From: seattle WA
Sorry-that's not right! I've already been thru that on my 87. And even according to the Helms Electrical manual page 31, the temp switch is exactly where I stated. Yes the Ecm is a part of it-but, the OEM temp switch can be replaced with an after market lower temp switch-which allows the fan(s) to come on at a lower temp without any reprograming
of the ECM.BTW, if you have the auxillary fan-you will find an additional relay for that fan on the radiator-drivers side.
of the ECM.BTW, if you have the auxillary fan-you will find an additional relay for that fan on the radiator-drivers side.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
Thanks for the info, I hope to get a chance to try and run down the problem this weekend. The guy I got it from may have not been letting the engine get hot enought for the fan to cut on. I guess I would be better off just wiring the fan back up the way its supposed to be and go from there.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,130
Likes: 2
From: seattle WA
You might want to do 2 other things also. Look between the radiator
and the condensor to see if there's any debris-our vettes are known as Hoovers-they suck up leaves, plastic bags etc. and cause them to run hotter than normal-you can also look up from under the front end and if you have the auxillary fan it's located in front of the condensor.Lot of guys like the manual switch-I really like my lower temp switch-the main and auxillary now both come on at 200 and go off at 185. And, do alot of research before letting anyone talk you into a 160 thermostat. I use the 180, and all summer in stop and go never got higher than 209 in high 80s and low 90 temps.
and the condensor to see if there's any debris-our vettes are known as Hoovers-they suck up leaves, plastic bags etc. and cause them to run hotter than normal-you can also look up from under the front end and if you have the auxillary fan it's located in front of the condensor.Lot of guys like the manual switch-I really like my lower temp switch-the main and auxillary now both come on at 200 and go off at 185. And, do alot of research before letting anyone talk you into a 160 thermostat. I use the 180, and all summer in stop and go never got higher than 209 in high 80s and low 90 temps.
Last edited by rick lambert; Jan 7, 2005 at 11:35 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Originally Posted by rick lambert
Sorry-that's not right! I've already been thru that on my 87. And even according to the Helms Electrical manual page 31, the temp switch is exactly where I stated. Yes the Ecm is a part of it-but, the OEM temp switch can be replaced with an after market lower temp switch-which allows the fan(s) to come on at a lower temp without any reprograming
of the ECM.BTW, if you have the auxillary fan-you will find an additional relay for that fan on the radiator-drivers side.
of the ECM.BTW, if you have the auxillary fan-you will find an additional relay for that fan on the radiator-drivers side.
RACE ON!!!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 825
Likes: 0
From: Hanging out back with the dark horses. Wa.
Was reading this and now I have a question....
my 88 fan comes on with the key (this I know is wrong) but thats the way it was when I got it. I have a Hypertech and a 160 thermo. she runs about 175 this time of year.
With the fan being on all the time, is this a bad thing?
my 88 fan comes on with the key (this I know is wrong) but thats the way it was when I got it. I have a Hypertech and a 160 thermo. she runs about 175 this time of year.
With the fan being on all the time, is this a bad thing?
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Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
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From: The Top of Utah
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,130
Likes: 2
From: seattle WA
I'd be happy to fax you the wiring diagram-already sent you an email.I've asked for 1 of the members to help clarify something for me.
But to let everyone know in response to EFI CFI question about aux,
fan coming on at a different temp. When I purchased a lower temp switch from Ecklers I had the choice, 1 with a single wire and 1 with 2 wires-the one with two wires was for those with aux. fans. So, I got the one with 2 wires-wired it per instructions and both fans now come on at 200 and off at 185-this was done without any change to the ECM or programing.I may be missing something-but not sure what it is.
But to let everyone know in response to EFI CFI question about aux,
fan coming on at a different temp. When I purchased a lower temp switch from Ecklers I had the choice, 1 with a single wire and 1 with 2 wires-the one with two wires was for those with aux. fans. So, I got the one with 2 wires-wired it per instructions and both fans now come on at 200 and off at 185-this was done without any change to the ECM or programing.I may be missing something-but not sure what it is.
Last edited by rick lambert; Jan 8, 2005 at 11:00 AM.
Drifting
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,647
Likes: 28
From: Woodbridge NJ
I have the same issue ,(84)with my fan. When I turn the key on, the fan turns on. The previous owner wired it directly to the distributor. I need to wire the fan propberly and will this spring. Pop the hood and trace the wires and see where they lead to.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Originally Posted by rick lambert
So, I got the one with 2 wires-wired it per instructions and both fans now come on at 200 and off at 185-this was done without any change to the ECM or programing.I may be missing something-but not sure what it is.
RACE ON!!!
