North American Turbocoupe Organization



cooling fan controller?
w60 Offline
Senior Member
#1
has anybody installed a cooling fan controller like this one: https://www.summitracing.com/oh/parts/hd.../overview/

mine are either on or off when the car is running because the PO hard wired them to be that way and I think an external fan controller would be about the easiest way to get them to work based on engine temperature.

Thanks
W
http://www.mycoachonline.com
White 88 TC Auto Trans
White 04 Honda CR/V
Blue 74 Honda Trail 70
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RocketshipChair Offline
Member
#2
Yea, my old Tbird had one. Stupidest this in the world. Ruined the radiator, has you have to drill a hole through the radiator to mount the probe. It appeared to be installed properly but would always leak. Not to mention the fans hardly ever came on with it. And the relay got stuck on one night too. Junk.
Andrew
88 Turbo Bird 5 spd no mods
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Jeff K Offline
Administrator
#3
I have had a fully mechanical adjustable controller for the main fan on my 88 for 15+ years to turn the fan on at a lower temp than the PCM turns it on. It has the probe that you stick into the radiator fins. It has worked flawlessly and I think I paid $15 or so at one of the local parts stores. I ran the controller output thru a 40 Amp relay to turn on the fan
Jeff Korn

88 Turbo Coupe: Intake and exhaust mods, T3 turbo at 24 psi, forced air IC, water injection, BPV, Ranger cam, subframes, etc., etc.
86 Tbird 5.0 (original owner): intake, exhaust, valvetrain mods, 100 HP N2O, ignition, gears, suspension, etc., etc.
11 Crown Vic Interceptor
14 Toyota Camry (wifes car)
95 Taurus GL Vulcan winter beater
67 Honda 450 Super Sport - completely customized
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boboli Offline
Member
#4
I had a controller like that one on my 88 Tbird. I liked the adjustability, but it failed me fairly soon after installation. Luckily I noticed the gauge pegging and could turn on the ac to avoid overheating. I then used a set temp controller made by the same company for 4 plus years with no problems. I think it's probe was set to 190* or so. It shouldn't cause leaking if just installed in the fins.
I recently converted to the Volvo dual fan speed relay and bmw temp switch. It works fine but I'm not sure it's exactly what I want. But it does give you independent dual fan speed control. I'm using a 96 tbird fan
1988 turbo tbird, 5spd, 140k, all stock except boost control valve.
1986 dodge omni glh turbo, 111k, my money pit.
1989 mustang Lx 5.0 convertible, tropical yellow/ tan interior, 1of only 144 made, 164k, aod, all stock including overheating TFI!
89 Jaguar XJS convertible, LT1 conversion, now fighting the prince of darkness (aka Lucas electronics)
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Jeff K Offline
Administrator
#5
I think the cheaper mechanical (bulb in the rad fins with capillary tube running to the controller) fail due to high fan current flowing thru the cheap electrical contacts and burning them up. Thats why I used the controller to activate a 40 A relay. The controller only has to carry 100 mA or so to trip the relay, and the relay handles the high fan current (especially the huge inrush current as the fan is spinning up to speed). I also have full manual control of both fans via dash switches in case of any failures.
Jeff Korn

88 Turbo Coupe: Intake and exhaust mods, T3 turbo at 24 psi, forced air IC, water injection, BPV, Ranger cam, subframes, etc., etc.
86 Tbird 5.0 (original owner): intake, exhaust, valvetrain mods, 100 HP N2O, ignition, gears, suspension, etc., etc.
11 Crown Vic Interceptor
14 Toyota Camry (wifes car)
95 Taurus GL Vulcan winter beater
67 Honda 450 Super Sport - completely customized
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firebirdparts Offline
Member
#6
I am fairly new to the TC and I have observed that it goes all the way to the top of "normal" on the gauge before the fan comes on. Is that typical? It's not overheating, but it is a little too hot for comfort. Mine is a 1988 and bone stock.
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Jeff K Offline
Administrator
#7
Which fan comes on? The pass side fan is the main fan, and comes with the gauge around the middle of the range. If temp continues to climb to about 3.4 of the way up OR if AC high side pressure goes over about 310 psi, the secondary fan (drivers side fan) comes on in addition to the main pass side fan. If drivers side fan comes on with gauge 3/4 of the way up but pass side fan never comes on, you have an issue with the pass side fan or its control circuit. First step is to jump the fan connector to +12 V at the batt and ground with at least 12 AWG wire to see if the fan motor has failed.
Jeff Korn

88 Turbo Coupe: Intake and exhaust mods, T3 turbo at 24 psi, forced air IC, water injection, BPV, Ranger cam, subframes, etc., etc.
86 Tbird 5.0 (original owner): intake, exhaust, valvetrain mods, 100 HP N2O, ignition, gears, suspension, etc., etc.
11 Crown Vic Interceptor
14 Toyota Camry (wifes car)
95 Taurus GL Vulcan winter beater
67 Honda 450 Super Sport - completely customized
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firebirdparts Offline
Member
#8
Thanks, that is what I needed to know.
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