Help with Electric Fan Installation

5.0 Nostalgia

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Feb 28, 2003

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#1

• Dec 26, 2003

• #1

My 89lx has an electric fan on it. When I bought the car it was already installed. I don't think the guy hooked it up correctly because it stays on after the car is off. When I looked at the way it was wired, I noticed it is hooked up to the battery! I don't think this is right! If you look at the picture below, you can see the red wires going right into the battery cable. How is this supposed to be connected?

 

TIMMY2734

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May 17, 2002

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#2

• Dec 26, 2003

• #2

I cant se your pic. He probably has a temp switch somewhere in the car. Basically, the fan will run until a certain temperature is reached, then shut off. Alot of cars today have that type of set-up

 

5.0Droptop

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May 15, 2002

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#3

• Dec 26, 2003

• #3

Its fine. How else could it keep runing after the car is off if it werent connected to the battery. The reason it runs is the Tstat is waiting for it to be cool enugh to shut off.

 

hllon4whls

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#4

• Dec 26, 2003

• #4

TIMMY2734 said:

I cant se your pic. He probably has a temp switch somewhere in the car. Basically, the fan will run until a certain temperature is reached, then shut off. Alot of cars today have that type of set-up

Click to expand...

Possibly. Check out this post about a fuel pump wiring about the same way.
http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?t=404748

Ignore the inertia switch and repalace fuel pump with electric fan. This will solve the problem of the fan running with the key off.

I use the 30 amp lighting relays available at any parts store for about $5. $10-12 if you get a harness. I usually buy 2 just to have a spare for $5 it is a cheap backup. I havent had one fail yet. They last a pretty long time.

 

5.0 Nostalgia

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#5

• Dec 26, 2003

• #5

http://www.geocities.com/jjanik2002/89_LX_ENG.jpg

There is a toggle switch next to the steering wheel to manually turn it on and off, but that does not matter because it is controlled by an adjustable thermostat. What I am getting at is that I don't want the fan to run when the car is off. If I leave the battery connected in the summer, the fan will run until it drains the battery. 4whl, I think what you are getting at is what I am looking for but I am a little confused. I am not good with wiring. Can I take the connections off the battery and hook it up to the starter relay? Thanks for your help guys.

 

5.0 Nostalgia

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#6

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• #6

http://www.geocities.com/jjanik2002/89_LX_ENG.jpg

 

5.0 Nostalgia

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#7

• Dec 26, 2003

• #7

I don't know why the picture won't post. If you copy and paste the URL into the browser it will work.

 

BlackFox5.0

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#8

• Dec 26, 2003

• #8

sounds like it's wired straight to the battery, try hooking the switch side of the relay to a key on power...

 

TIMMY2734

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#9

• Dec 26, 2003

• #9

Hooking it to the switched side of the starter solenoid will not do what you want. It is only switched for a few seconds, to give power to the starter,meaning not constant

You need to find an alternative 12v source that is only powered when the car is on, something liek the coil wire, but there are others.

 

hllon4whls

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#10

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5.0 Nostalgia said:

http://www.geocities.com/jjanik2002/89_LX_ENG.jpg

There is a toggle switch next to the steering wheel to manually turn it on and off, but that does not matter because it is controlled by an adjustable thermostat. What I am getting at is that I don't want the fan to run when the car is off. If I leave the battery connected in the summer, the fan will run until it drains the battery. 4whl, I think what you are getting at is what I am looking for but I am a little confused. I am not good with wiring. Can I take the connections off the battery and hook it up to the starter relay? Thanks for your help guys.

Click to expand...

You are going to need to purchase a seperate relay.
In the fuse box you need to find a power source that is hot only when the key is in the on position. ACC and ON is OK, but you will have to be mindfull of the fan if listening to the stereo.

Have the relay coil energize with the key on. Then use the contacts in the relay to shut the fan off by opening the direct power from the battery. It will still operate by the thermostat when the car is running, but will not run at all when the car is off.

Look at the diagram again from the other post. Ignore the inerta switch part. The fan would be hooked up just like the fuel pump.

 

EMW150

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Dec 27, 2003

#11

• Dec 27, 2003

• #11

Yeah, you'll have to use a separate relay. Elec. fans draw too many amps just to wire into a key on source. The relay should connect to the battery or solenoid and then use a key on source for the tripper wire.

 

Michael Yount

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Apr 10, 2002

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Dec 27, 2003

#12

• Dec 27, 2003

• #12

Guys - It sounds to me like it's cycling on and off with temp just as it's supposed to -- so it's already relayed. I believe you just need to move the smaller gauge hot wire that's connected to the battery (the one that goes to the coil-side of the relay), to a location at your fuse box that is hot only when the ignition switch is in the on position. That will cause the fan to cycle just as it is now - but only when the ignition is switched on; when you turn the key off, it will kill the fan.