Cooling fans questions
#1
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Cooling fans questions
What all is required to turn on the cooling fans ?
I havent done the fan mod yet, so I searched and read there is something you can do with the AC and AC relay ?
1) As I understand it, you leave the car running, and remove the AC relay, then turn on AC and fans run. Is this true ? Do they keep on running when you turn off the car ?
2) Another possibility I read about is to leave the key on the ON position (without the car running) and it will run the fans for 10minutes (someone said 60secs). Is this true ?
I also read about the wire from the ECU. I changed my ECU few months back and dont recall any unconnected wire
3) To do the fans mod, you need to splice into 2 fan relays AND connect it to a ground ? Then what is that ECU unconnected wire everyone talks about used for ?
Thanks!
I havent done the fan mod yet, so I searched and read there is something you can do with the AC and AC relay ?
1) As I understand it, you leave the car running, and remove the AC relay, then turn on AC and fans run. Is this true ? Do they keep on running when you turn off the car ?
2) Another possibility I read about is to leave the key on the ON position (without the car running) and it will run the fans for 10minutes (someone said 60secs). Is this true ?
I also read about the wire from the ECU. I changed my ECU few months back and dont recall any unconnected wire
3) To do the fans mod, you need to splice into 2 fan relays AND connect it to a ground ? Then what is that ECU unconnected wire everyone talks about used for ?
Thanks!
Last edited by cruiser; 04-08-04 at 07:36 AM.
#3
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i did the fan mod.
basicly you splice the relay(s) for the fanspeed you want. i only wanted the slow fan speed so i only spliced one relay. its as easy as splicing one wire together and running that wire into the cockpit to a switch that is connected to a ground.
I think i got the whole write up off iluvmyrx7.com
basicly you splice the relay(s) for the fanspeed you want. i only wanted the slow fan speed so i only spliced one relay. its as easy as splicing one wire together and running that wire into the cockpit to a switch that is connected to a ground.
I think i got the whole write up off iluvmyrx7.com
#4
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Originally posted by FormerPorscheGuy
Cruiser, get the miata thermoswitch, its a no brainer install and works great.
By the way, did you ever find that heat tape?
Cruiser, get the miata thermoswitch, its a no brainer install and works great.
By the way, did you ever find that heat tape?
No, havent found it yet. Looking, looking...
#5
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The miata thermoswitch replaces the stock thermoswich and turns on your fans automatically at 210f.
Here are some pictures of my engine bay with the heat tape. I found it at the Home Depot.
http://www.ultramarine.com/~neel/200..._4382.jpg.html
http://www.houstonrx7club.com/events...s/DCP_5356.htm
http://www.houstonrx7club.com/events...s/DCP_5357.htm
I hope that they help and give you a better idea of what to look for.
Jason
Here are some pictures of my engine bay with the heat tape. I found it at the Home Depot.
http://www.ultramarine.com/~neel/200..._4382.jpg.html
http://www.houstonrx7club.com/events...s/DCP_5356.htm
http://www.houstonrx7club.com/events...s/DCP_5357.htm
I hope that they help and give you a better idea of what to look for.
Jason
#7
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what is the point of running the fans if the waterpump is not spinning? all you would be doing is cooling the water in the rad. but the block wouldnt be affected correct? i dont see the point.....
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#8
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I did the Dave Disney fan mod and it worked out as well as possible.
My fans run at medium speed whenever there is electric current through the car (when the key is in the "on" position). I have a switch in my cockpit that, if turned on for 2 minutes, will keep the fans running for 10 minutes after the car is off. It will also turn the fans on/off when the car is off.
Using this mod in combination w/ turning yoru A/C on will yield high fan speed and cool you down ASAP.
I would recommend it!
My fans run at medium speed whenever there is electric current through the car (when the key is in the "on" position). I have a switch in my cockpit that, if turned on for 2 minutes, will keep the fans running for 10 minutes after the car is off. It will also turn the fans on/off when the car is off.
Using this mod in combination w/ turning yoru A/C on will yield high fan speed and cool you down ASAP.
I would recommend it!
#9
Cheap Bastard
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I did the fan mod with the wire by the ecu. You simply connect a spade connector into the existing female connector. No splicing required. Run the connected wire to a switch, and then to ground. It works very nicely. I like that I can turn the fans on when I want them on. I also like that I can run them for 10 minutes after the car is shut down.
One word of caution with this mod: If you forget to turn off the switch, your battery will run down.
http://www.scuderiaciriani.com/rx7/fan_mod.html
One word of caution with this mod: If you forget to turn off the switch, your battery will run down.
http://www.scuderiaciriani.com/rx7/fan_mod.html
#10
Cheap Bastard
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Originally posted by RotorMotor
what is the point of running the fans if the waterpump is not spinning? all you would be doing is cooling the water in the rad. but the block wouldnt be affected correct? i dont see the point.....
what is the point of running the fans if the waterpump is not spinning? all you would be doing is cooling the water in the rad. but the block wouldnt be affected correct? i dont see the point.....
Running the fans for 10 minutes after shutdown will blow all of that heat out of there, and prolong the life of many components under the hood.
#11
Originally posted by RotorMotor
what is the point of running the fans if the waterpump is not spinning? all you would be doing is cooling the water in the rad. but the block wouldnt be affected correct? i dont see the point.....
what is the point of running the fans if the waterpump is not spinning? all you would be doing is cooling the water in the rad. but the block wouldnt be affected correct? i dont see the point.....
#12
what is the point of running the fans if the waterpump is not spinning? all you would be doing is cooling the water in the rad. but the block wouldnt be affected correct? i dont see the point.....
#14
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Originally posted by adam c
I did the fan mod with the wire by the ecu. You simply connect a spade connector into the existing female connector. No splicing required. Run the connected wire to a switch, and then to ground. It works very nicely. I like that I can turn the fans on when I want them on. I also like that I can run them for 10 minutes after the car is shut down.
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I did the fan mod with the wire by the ecu. You simply connect a spade connector into the existing female connector. No splicing required. Run the connected wire to a switch, and then to ground. It works very nicely. I like that I can turn the fans on when I want them on. I also like that I can run them for 10 minutes after the car is shut down.
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#16
Cheap Bastard
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The fan mod I referred to has a two minute delay. There is some very good info in the thread I posted for you. Here it is again.
http://www.scuderiaciriani.com/rx7/fan_mod.html
http://www.scuderiaciriani.com/rx7/fan_mod.html
#17
Lives on the Forum
If you guys want to fight engine bay heat after shutdown, open the hood. This will cool far quicker and far better than running the fans.
If you want to cool your motor as quickly as possible (like between autox runs) you pop the hood, kick on the a/c to start the fans (if they aren't already running) and soak the condensor/radiator with water from a garden sprayer. Temps drop like a rock and I shut off the car at 190F. It literally only takes a few minutes to cool the car and takes suprisingly little water. It is not at all uncommon for me to start with 190F water temp and finish a run less than 60 seconds later with 220+F and then return them back to under 190F in grid all in the span of 5 mins.
Lots of people seem to feel that running the radiator fans after shutdown will prolong the life of plastic and rubber components under the hood. I don't share their optimism. Fact is right now all the underhood plastic/rubber FD components are 10+ years old; they already need replacing. New ones in there are going to last another 10 years. I don't think a few minutes of fan running after engine shutdown is going to prolong anything in there. Their environment with the engine running is 10 times worse and that is what will age them, not heatsoak after shutdown.
If you want to cool your motor as quickly as possible (like between autox runs) you pop the hood, kick on the a/c to start the fans (if they aren't already running) and soak the condensor/radiator with water from a garden sprayer. Temps drop like a rock and I shut off the car at 190F. It literally only takes a few minutes to cool the car and takes suprisingly little water. It is not at all uncommon for me to start with 190F water temp and finish a run less than 60 seconds later with 220+F and then return them back to under 190F in grid all in the span of 5 mins.
Lots of people seem to feel that running the radiator fans after shutdown will prolong the life of plastic and rubber components under the hood. I don't share their optimism. Fact is right now all the underhood plastic/rubber FD components are 10+ years old; they already need replacing. New ones in there are going to last another 10 years. I don't think a few minutes of fan running after engine shutdown is going to prolong anything in there. Their environment with the engine running is 10 times worse and that is what will age them, not heatsoak after shutdown.
#18
Cheap Bastard
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Originally posted by DamonB
If you guys want to fight engine bay heat after shutdown, open the hood. This will cool far quicker and far better than running the fans.
If you want to cool your motor as quickly as possible (like between autox runs) you pop the hood, kick on the a/c to start the fans (if they aren't already running) and soak the condensor/radiator with water from a garden sprayer. Temps drop like a rock and I shut off the car at 190F. It literally only takes a few minutes to cool the car and takes suprisingly little water. It is not at all uncommon for me to start with 190F water temp and finish a run less than 60 seconds later with 220+F and then return them back to under 190F in grid all in the span of 5 mins.
If you guys want to fight engine bay heat after shutdown, open the hood. This will cool far quicker and far better than running the fans.
If you want to cool your motor as quickly as possible (like between autox runs) you pop the hood, kick on the a/c to start the fans (if they aren't already running) and soak the condensor/radiator with water from a garden sprayer. Temps drop like a rock and I shut off the car at 190F. It literally only takes a few minutes to cool the car and takes suprisingly little water. It is not at all uncommon for me to start with 190F water temp and finish a run less than 60 seconds later with 220+F and then return them back to under 190F in grid all in the span of 5 mins.
Originally posted by DamonB
Lots of people seem to feel that running the radiator fans after shutdown will prolong the life of plastic and rubber components under the hood. I don't share their optimism. Fact is right now all the underhood plastic/rubber FD components are 10+ years old; they already need replacing. New ones in there are going to last another 10 years. I don't think a few minutes of fan running after engine shutdown is going to prolong anything in there. Their environment with the engine running is 10 times worse and that is what will age them, not heatsoak after shutdown.
Lots of people seem to feel that running the radiator fans after shutdown will prolong the life of plastic and rubber components under the hood. I don't share their optimism. Fact is right now all the underhood plastic/rubber FD components are 10+ years old; they already need replacing. New ones in there are going to last another 10 years. I don't think a few minutes of fan running after engine shutdown is going to prolong anything in there. Their environment with the engine running is 10 times worse and that is what will age them, not heatsoak after shutdown.
The only time it would be worse is when you are stuck in traffic, and the fans have not come on yet.
#19
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Originally posted by adam c
The only time it would be worse is when you are stuck in traffic, and the fans have not come on yet.
The only time it would be worse is when you are stuck in traffic, and the fans have not come on yet.
It didn't instantly get hot in the few moments you pulled the car over and quit moving; it was hot the whole time. Sure you've got a 70mph breeze coming through the inlet when on the highway. Does that mean all the parts under the hood don't get overly hot? Heck no.
Like I said, running the fans here and there after shut down isn't going to help the problem. Everything is terribly hot anytime the engine is running. A few minutes of fans running after driving the car for anything more than a few minutes isn't go to do anything for the life of the components. You can cool the car slightly quicker, but you're not going to add any life IMO. What kills rubber and plastic is the heat cycles from very high temps back to outside temp. Running fans isn't going to help this.
#20
Cheap Bastard
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There are different degrees of heat that you will find under the hood, at different times. With no airflow thru the engine compartment, everything will be hotter. Sure, its still going to be hot under there regardless of what you do. I would much rather have my engine bay 40-50 degrees cooler by running the fans. And yes, I believe that will significantly extend the life of many components.
#21
Lives on the Forum
IMO it's like fighting a forest fire with a garden hose. Does it help? Yes. Does it do anything meaningful in the scheme of things? No.
The plastic and rubber don't care if they are a little hotter than they would be with the fans running after shutdown. They've already (literally) been through hell when the engine was running.
The plastic and rubber don't care if they are a little hotter than they would be with the fans running after shutdown. They've already (literally) been through hell when the engine was running.
#22
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You may not be able to put out the fire, but if you are able to keep it away from your house with a garden hose, you have saved your house
I think that the engine bay gets a lot hotter when the car is stopped, and no air is going thru. Robert Kinports did some tests, and posted temp readings. They are on the fan mod thread I posted earlier.
I think that the engine bay gets a lot hotter when the car is stopped, and no air is going thru. Robert Kinports did some tests, and posted temp readings. They are on the fan mod thread I posted earlier.
#23
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Originally posted by adam c
The fan mod I referred to has a two minute delay. There is some very good info in the thread I posted for you. Here it is again.
http://www.scuderiaciriani.com/rx7/fan_mod.html
The fan mod I referred to has a two minute delay. There is some very good info in the thread I posted for you. Here it is again.
http://www.scuderiaciriani.com/rx7/fan_mod.html
Today I pulled my AC relay and turned on AC on level 3 and fans turned up. VOILA !
I'm going to a drag race compeition tomorrow in Croatia so I will need every little bit to keep my temps down.
#24
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Originally posted by DamonB
And every single other time the engine is running regardless of car or fans moving. Simple experiment: Go drive down the highway for 15 mins and then pull over to the side of the road and raise the hood. Stick your hand in there and attempt to grasp anything anywhere under the hood for more than a couple seconds before your flesh begins to burn.
It didn't instantly get hot in the few moments you pulled the car over and quit moving; it was hot the whole time. Sure you've got a 70mph breeze coming through the inlet when on the highway. Does that mean all the parts under the hood don't get overly hot? Heck no.
Like I said, running the fans here and there after shut down isn't going to help the problem. Everything is terribly hot anytime the engine is running. A few minutes of fans running after driving the car for anything more than a few minutes isn't go to do anything for the life of the components. You can cool the car slightly quicker, but you're not going to add any life IMO. What kills rubber and plastic is the heat cycles from very high temps back to outside temp. Running fans isn't going to help this.
And every single other time the engine is running regardless of car or fans moving. Simple experiment: Go drive down the highway for 15 mins and then pull over to the side of the road and raise the hood. Stick your hand in there and attempt to grasp anything anywhere under the hood for more than a couple seconds before your flesh begins to burn.
It didn't instantly get hot in the few moments you pulled the car over and quit moving; it was hot the whole time. Sure you've got a 70mph breeze coming through the inlet when on the highway. Does that mean all the parts under the hood don't get overly hot? Heck no.
Like I said, running the fans here and there after shut down isn't going to help the problem. Everything is terribly hot anytime the engine is running. A few minutes of fans running after driving the car for anything more than a few minutes isn't go to do anything for the life of the components. You can cool the car slightly quicker, but you're not going to add any life IMO. What kills rubber and plastic is the heat cycles from very high temps back to outside temp. Running fans isn't going to help this.
As soon as my WB and ******* datalogging ever gets here I'm going to do a thermistor test of just what is going on under there.
#25
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Originally posted by cruiser
Today I pulled my AC relay and turned on AC on level 3 and fans turned up. VOILA !
Today I pulled my AC relay and turned on AC on level 3 and fans turned up. VOILA !
The trick with this is that your can now ran your fans whenever you want for as long as you want. Then if you want you can turn off the car and then just turn the ignition switch back to on and run the A/C like before.
By pulling the relay all you really do is keep the compressor of the A/C from running, which means you can force the fans to come on without the extra power draw that the A/C would usually create. This is a simple little trick that is very useful to know.
- Cody