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Fan thermoswitch how to?

Old 10-28-18, 11:45 AM
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Fan thermoswitch how to?

Hello, I recently bought a FC fan switch to swap out, and I realize that actually changing it is as simple as unscrewing it and screwing in a new one. But I’m not exactly super familiar with the rotary yet, and first wanted to check if there was a how to. I tried to search and saw someone mentioned that dale Clark had a how to in the archives but I couldn’t find it, can someone throw a link my way? Thanks!
Old 10-28-18, 01:27 PM
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It's really tough to reach, underneath the alternator. And you may want to drain some coolant so it doesn't spill. It's high, but under the full water line.

https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generati...switch-629095/

Old 10-28-18, 01:36 PM
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That’s the pic I was using to try and find it without taking anything off at first, just to get an eyeball on it but still couldn’t see it lol but basically take off all the air intake things and what not and then the alternator?
Old 10-28-18, 02:19 PM
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Yeah in that picture it looks like the alternator, air pump, IC piping, and pressure box are removed. You could get away with just removing the IC pipes and alternator I think.
Old 10-28-18, 04:33 PM
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Ok cool, should I drain some coolant out as well?
Old 10-29-18, 08:43 AM
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A very small amount of coolant will dribble out, it's not worth it. If you keep the radiator caps on it won't drain very quickly, just remove the old one and have the new ready to screw back in. Wipe up the spill, top off coolant, good to go.

I think the main thing you need to remove to get to it is the alternator, the crossover pipe may give you some more room if that's out of the way. Also be careful with the 1-wire connector going to it, that connector likes to snap off where the wire goes in to the connector. It is fixable if that happens but it's a pain.

Dale
Old 10-29-18, 06:37 PM
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Noted^^ thank you for insight! I know it’s not a huge job, but being as I’ve never had this engine or it’s components apart and I’m not familiar with it, I’d just rather take my time and be safe about it lol appreciate everyone’s advice on this
Old 10-30-18, 12:12 PM
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Ok so I got to it, exactly like the pic you just showed, buuuuut how the heck to I get to it to get it out? I can’t get anything around it
Old 10-30-18, 12:39 PM
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Open end wrench and patience
Old 10-30-18, 02:06 PM
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Ok I dropped the old on in the engine bay somewhere so that’s gone forever, when I tighten the new one down the tab that clicks in the connect goes the opp way, instead of pointing in, it’s pointing out to the wheel, is that normal?
Old 10-30-18, 02:42 PM
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That's no big deal if the switch is oriented differently, that's just pot luck as to how the threads on the sensor were cut. Plug it in and rock and roll.

Dale
Old 10-30-18, 03:36 PM
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Great thanks dale! Never did get the old one out of the engine bay, it’ll fall out at some point I guess haha buuut I can say that’s not on the top 10 things I would like to do again, just not fat finger friendly
Old 10-30-18, 09:11 PM
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just make sure it didn't fall in the radiator fan blades
Old 10-31-18, 03:31 AM
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Yea it definitely fell away from the radiator thankfully, but there’s no room at all to get it out and now I can’t even see it period lol bothers me a ton, but after an hr and a half of trying to get it every which way I gave up 😞
Old 10-31-18, 06:18 AM
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Ahhh memories. I did this job years ago with a Miata switch before DC discovered the S5 switch was a p n p. That required soldering....which I’m not very good at. Just think OP, as a bonus you’re now qualified to build one of these:

Old 10-31-18, 07:25 AM
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😂 that’s pretty accurate
Old 10-31-18, 09:08 AM
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I wouldnt leave that old switch in there.

Option 1: Get yourself a extending magnet tip "pen". You should be able to fish it out.

Option 2: Remove the undertray and get it from underneath. It may have fallen onto the undertray, and can be removed by just loosening it.
Old 10-31-18, 10:53 AM
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Unfortunately it was made of brass so the magnet wouldn’t work, and I got a “grabber” thing from Home Depot, which has like a spring loaded metal claw, I got ahold of it and then when I pulled it up the hole I was pulling thru wasn’t big enough, so it fell down again and no matter what I did I couldn’t see where it was actually at after that, no matter which angle I looked at it from. So I couldn’t get at it to grab it. My car currently doesn’t have an undertray and I wasn’t lucky enough for it to fall through. I gotta change the oil on it before I fire it up anyway, so when I have it on stands I’m gonna see if I can get at it that way. Pretty sure it’s between the block and the compressor, just can’t get a visual on it. Believe me, it’s actually really bothering me it’s still in there lol
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