Mod for radiator fans
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Mod for radiator fans
New to forum. Recently got a c5 and noticed that the fans take a while to come on. Is there a way to adjust the fans to come on sooner to help keep the temp lower. Noticed that when I run the ac the fans do come on and run to drop the temp down. Right now they don't come on until around 240.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
The BEST fan modification technique is to pay a TUNER to adjust the turn on temps in the PCM.
Before you do, I strongly recommend that you clean the AIR FLOW path in and through the radiator.
Look up under the fascia and in the air inlet opening for the radiator and make sure that there isn't any trash/leaves/bags etc...
If it were me,,, I would remove the top cover off the radiator/AC condenser and make sure that there isn't any crap between the two radiators. Back flush the radiator fins with a GARDEN HOSE on full hard stream and wash any sand /dirt out of the fins.
Install a lower temp thermostat.
Make sure that you have the correct antifreeze /water ratio.
Bill
Before you do, I strongly recommend that you clean the AIR FLOW path in and through the radiator.
Look up under the fascia and in the air inlet opening for the radiator and make sure that there isn't any trash/leaves/bags etc...
If it were me,,, I would remove the top cover off the radiator/AC condenser and make sure that there isn't any crap between the two radiators. Back flush the radiator fins with a GARDEN HOSE on full hard stream and wash any sand /dirt out of the fins.
Install a lower temp thermostat.
Make sure that you have the correct antifreeze /water ratio.
Bill
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 5,278
Likes: 539
From: Kelowna BC
It's early June. My car told me 38C (100.4F) and van told me 37C (98.6F) yesterday here in Kelowna. Looks like a hot summer ahead.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
Vinci High Performance makes a switch you can wire in and adjust the on temps. Off temps are 7 degrees colder than the on temp. I ran one for years and wish I still had it. I find with my cooler temp settings the engine runs a little cooler than I like in the fall when outside temps drop.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 415
Likes: 19
From: Mobile Alabama
I recently installed the wireless CoolIt fan switch from SacCityCorvette. Allows you to turn the high speed fans on and off at will. Works like a champ. It was 93 degrees and 90% humidity here in Mobile Sunday, and in stop and go traffic I was able to stay under 205 degrees. It also helps me when I am running with the top down in high humidity, If I run the AC, it causes the air vents to sweat terribly, just was running it to keep the fans on. Now I don't have to worry about that either. I know that our cars are designed to run at higher temps, but I have always been more comfortable knowing it was running a little cooler. On my 95, I had reprogrammed the fan temps, easy to do with an inexpensive hand held programmer. C5's, not so easy.
Last edited by SoAlVette; Jun 10, 2015 at 08:31 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 4,496
Likes: 856
From: Walhalla South Carolina
I too have the cool it fan mod ,(100 bucks), takes all of 5 minutes to install in the hood fuse panel/box. Seems to work really well. Anytime I see temps creep up above 205 I turn the fan on. Good luck
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Instructor
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 122
Likes: 7
Be aware that you don't have to spend $50+ for the tuner varieties - most C5's have the thermostat fixed permanently into the housing and you must buy them as a unit (can get spendy).
The OE manufacturer sells 160 and 180 versions for cheap ($18 shipped). Amazon Motorad 379-160 or 379-180. (The only two "tuner" varieties I have seen myself were this unit re-packaged - and $80).
Last edited by smartadze; Jun 11, 2015 at 11:19 AM.