I'm installing an electric fan with a switch on the lower part of the left hand side of the cockpit. In that rectangle that is perfect for such a thing.
My trouble is that my multi tester bit it when I dropped it on the floor. So I need a switch wire to tap into from the fuse block. It doesn't have to be high current or anything I have a relay wired in. If you guys could tell me the color of the wire I should use that would be great. It's an 86 base package with no options but "sport" suspension and 5 lug wheels. so there should be plenty of unused, fused wires to tap. I prefer it not be one tied to the stereo since it might introduce noise.
Thanks
J

 

well you don't need your multimeter to determine a wire that gets power when the ignition is on.

Just use a temporairily wired up 194 light bulb with alligator clips or something on the wires as a tester

 

Black/yellow.

But don't connect it to a switch. Use a proper thermostat.

http://www.aaroncake.net/rx-7/efaninstall.htm

 

I had the thermostat and it failed. Then I over heated twice on mild days. So Now I've got it set up so I can have either the thermostat, off, or on. And I have a two color led to tell me when it should be on and isn't. All I need is a wire color to tap for the ignition off fail safe, which is a 5 minute timer switch. Regaurdless of switch postion it will turn off after 5 minutes until the starter cranks.
Idiot proof is what I was going for. I am some times an idiot.
So you say black and yellow? What circuit is that?

 

What a about the sunroof wire? I don't have a sunroof, but I have a fuse for one, and the harness looks identical to the other 86 with a sunroof.
Does anyone know what wire that is? I have looked in both manuals and can't find it.

 

i used a 4 prong relay; my main 12v came from the fuse box the one with the screw on the side i believe it was the 80(in this way if the car stalls the efan wont turn off and keep the engine from overheating), then the 12v trigger comes from the green tab connected to the coil right below the left head light its the diagnosis tab (this will only turn on the e fan when u turn the key and keep it only which i like instead of using the termastat), one to ground, and the last one to the src. No switchs, no termostat, dont have to worry about it, just turn the key and drive away idot proof i say Easy as done

 

bump for help

 

Running the fan constantly is just plain dumb and completely negates any advantages electric fans have. It's a big step backwards from the stock fan too. If you're not able to properly install a thermoswitch you shouldn't be messing with electric fans.

 

what about cigarette lighter wire..

 

whats a good temperature to set the switch to???

 

There are black/yellow wires all over the car. Every one of them is hot when the key is set to IGN.

Yes, both a thermostat and switch is a good idea so you have the option to run the fan manually for special occasions (like in the pits to avoid heat soak).

 

Thank you Aaron. Some body understands me.
So I can tap any black and yellow wire in the car and it's 12v switch?

 

when i first had an e-fan installed, i bought one of those e-fan controllers from deralle or something. that POS flaked out on me a few months after i installed it. so now i just have a relay and a switch. i do sometimes forget to turn it on when i'm stuck in traffic, but i catch it before it gets too hot.

 

Famous last words...

Do yourself a favour and buy a quality thermoswitch. If it's a money issue ask yourself how much a rebuild is in comparison.

 

I think my thread got jacked. I'll figure it out thanks guys.

 

Yes. A quick glance at at any of the wiring diagrams will show that most (if not all) of the black/yellow wires are IGN switched. Black/white is generally ACC.