silver88
Joined:
Jul 2002
pittsburgh, pa
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I'd like to install a toggle switch for my electric fans........what amperage switch should i get? ANd, is there anyway that i can rig it so that the fans turn on even if i forget to do it manually?
88tc: daily driver, trying to keep it sane.
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Liquid_force
Joined:
Aug 2001
Lawrence, KS USA
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It's best to use a relay to control the fan, then wire the switch to control the relay. Most of the switches you'll find are probably rated for 20A or so which doesn't allow much of a safety factor if you wire it w/o a relay.
I used one of the switches that has a light in it so I can see whether the fan is on or off w/o having to listen for it. A standard 30A relay from a parts store is usually $3-$4 and the switch will probably be a couple bux.
As for turning them on automatically, I think there are a couple posts you can search for to find info on that. I believe it amounts to piggy backing the automatic system onto your manual set up.
88 TC -- Dark Blue 283k
RIP - 9/22/07
She was a great TC and went down swinging 
Now -- Me: A minivan, I'll spare you the details.
Her: '09 VW Tiguan AWD 2.0T 101k
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Pete D
Joined:
Apr 2001
Northern OH
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Assuming your factory fan control system is working as it should, the manual fan switch can be wired to supplement the factory system. I only switched the secondary fan, using a ligeted switch like Liquid_Force did.
I second is motion on needing a relay. Just hook it up like he explained
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NATO Member. it's not a vice, it's an obsession
"The nice thing about each new day is nobody ever used it before" Barnaby Jones
88 TC X 2, 86 SVO, mods list at
http://www.turbotbird.com/showroom/pd_88tc.htm
Pete Dunham
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MUSTBeOffMyBIRD
Joined:
Jun 2002
O.B. , N.J. , U.S.A.
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This is a good idea as long as you don't have to rely on remembering to turn it on. Find some other way to automatically turn them on or let the cars' computer control one. My brother in-law(electrician) thought he knew it all,did this and didn't ask for advice. My sister forgot to turn the switch on and now they no longer own a TC.
I've read and been told that once a vehicle is traveling over @ 40 miles per hour the cooling fan isn't needed. Maybe a relay can be activated by a brake or clutch switch. Just a thought.
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segfaultxr7
Joined:
Aug 2001
Cape Coral, FL
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I wonder if you could get an aftermarket sensor reads a little higher than the actual temp. to turn the fan on earlier? Like, say, 200 degrees or so? (I think stock is 220) I like the computer controlling things automatically and not having Radio Shack toggle switches poking out of my dash; I just wish it would turn the fan on earlier!
Unfortunately, I think with coolant temp. sensors, resistance goes down with increasing temperature. If it were the opposite, you could just stick a resistor inline with the sensor to bump up the apparent reading by a few degrees.
88 TC 5-speed
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Liquid_force
Joined:
Aug 2001
Lawrence, KS USA
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Quote:Originally posted by segfaultxr7:
I like the computer controlling things automatically and not having Radio Shack toggle switches poking out of my dash.
I know what you're saying, but it can actually be done to look very stealth. I used a lighted, blue rocker switch and mounted it where the power antenna switch goes. It's the exact same size as the other 2 switches and all I had to do was remove the piece of plastic covering the old hole. NO ONE (except people that know their t-birds) even realizes it's there. BTW, the computer still controls the driver's side fan.
Which leads me to another question. Can I replace my faulty ircm with one out of a taurus that was given to me?
88 TC -- Dark Blue 283k
RIP - 9/22/07
She was a great TC and went down swinging 
Now -- Me: A minivan, I'll spare you the details.
Her: '09 VW Tiguan AWD 2.0T 101k
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Pete D
Joined:
Apr 2001
Northern OH
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There are fan switch assemblies available that include an adjustable sensor to automatically turn the fan(s) on at a pre-set temperature.
Liqid-Force, I don't know about the Taurus IRCM but I know the relays in your stock one can be replaced. It requires a little soldering to remove the old and install the new.
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NATO Member. it's not a vice, it's an obsession
"The nice thing about each new day is nobody ever used it before" Barnaby Jones
88 TC X 2, 86 SVO, mods list at
http://www.turbotbird.com/showroom/pd_88tc.htm
Pete Dunham
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tylerport
Joined:
Apr 2001
Freedom IN
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I recently installed Carquest P/n 77528 Radiator Fan Controller. It can control two fans with the additon of another fuse holder. It also has a wire to hook into the A/C so that the fans will run when it is turned on.
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Jim Portteus
NATO Member
86 Turbo Coupe, LA3 w/ Intercooler and Larger VAM, Gillis Valve, 2 1/2" Downpipe to 2" Duals w/ 18" Glasspacks, 245/50R16's, 140MPH Speedo and new paint.
Jim Portteus
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silver88
Joined:
Jul 2002
pittsburgh, pa
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thanks everyone for the input. Tylerport, how much was that fan controller, and will it work with an 88tc? Also, was it easy to install?
88tc: daily driver, trying to keep it sane.
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tylerport
Joined:
Apr 2001
Freedom IN
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It was about $45 and was very straight forward to install. The instruction sheet is simple. It took me about 2 hours to complete. I have the dual fan set up (from an 87/88) in my car and the controller is capable of controlling two fans (you just have to get another fuse holder).
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Jim Portteus
NATO Member
86 Turbo Coupe, LA3 w/ Intercooler and Larger VAM, Gillis Valve, 2 1/2" Downpipe to 2" Duals w/ 18" Glasspacks, 245/50R16's, 140MPH Speedo and new paint.
[This message has been edited by tylerport (edited 08-11-2002).]
Jim Portteus
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