DIY Manual fan switch.
DIY Manual fan switch. I cant justify spending $70 on a manual fan switch. Has anyone wired one themself? I did on my 98 Monte Carlo, but am not sure if it will be the same with the camaro. Thanks
Re: DIY Manual fan switch. I did it myself on my '99 T/A, and bought the $70 switch on my '98. It's not too tough to do it yourself, I just think the SLP setup is a lot clearer. I found a free mod "how to" off google.com
The one I wanna know is how to wire the two LEDs to indicate the fans are on, hi/lo.
The one I wanna know is how to wire the two LEDs to indicate the fans are on, hi/lo.
Re: DIY Manual fan switch. I wired up the free switch myself, took a few hours total with a clean install and nice fitment of the switch...very cheap mod, and great results. I was also going to wire up the LED's, but got lazy and didnt go through with it 
The LS1.com link is the best, but the server is down so it isnt accessible. It has step-by-step instructions, pics, and a very good write up all together.
Not sure if this is a mod for people who arent familiar with electrical wiring. All you have to do is tap into 2 wires in a harness along the passenger side of engine compartment. I'd wait until LS1.com is back up before attempting it (its a great write-up)
Original LS1.com link
http://www.ls1.com/link_cooling_fan.html
The LS1.com link is the best, but the server is down so it isnt accessible. It has step-by-step instructions, pics, and a very good write up all together.
Not sure if this is a mod for people who arent familiar with electrical wiring. All you have to do is tap into 2 wires in a harness along the passenger side of engine compartment. I'd wait until LS1.com is back up before attempting it (its a great write-up)
Original LS1.com link
http://www.ls1.com/link_cooling_fan.html
Launching!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 246
Likes: 0
From: Plano, TX
Re: DIY Manual fan switch. Yes, I wired my own up with < $10 worth of parts from radio shack - switch, LED, wire, connectors, etc. Works great.
I bought a double pole double throw (DPDT) switch, so that when I leave the switch in the middle, the computer controls the fans like normal. I can move the switch to the left to run the fans on low speed, or right to move the fans on high speed.
The only tricky part is figuring out which wires to tap into (not hard if you have a Helms manual like I have, or can find a good writeup) and routing wire through the firewall - pull the computer and you can stuff a wire through the existing grommet with a coat hanger - that's what I did.
My LED lights up anytime the fans are on - low speed, highspeed, whether the computer turns them on or I do. The LED is a reminder if you ever turn your car off with the manual control still on - you WILL drain your battery fairly quickly (20-30 minutes I would guess) if you forget. I don't see how you could really do this with the racket the fans make, but the LED is sort of cool to see when the computer turns the fans on during normal driving.
If you have any questions post them, Lot's of people have have done the home grown approach instead of buying a kit for $60-$70...
Good luck!
I bought a double pole double throw (DPDT) switch, so that when I leave the switch in the middle, the computer controls the fans like normal. I can move the switch to the left to run the fans on low speed, or right to move the fans on high speed.The only tricky part is figuring out which wires to tap into (not hard if you have a Helms manual like I have, or can find a good writeup) and routing wire through the firewall - pull the computer and you can stuff a wire through the existing grommet with a coat hanger - that's what I did.
My LED lights up anytime the fans are on - low speed, highspeed, whether the computer turns them on or I do. The LED is a reminder if you ever turn your car off with the manual control still on - you WILL drain your battery fairly quickly (20-30 minutes I would guess) if you forget. I don't see how you could really do this with the racket the fans make, but the LED is sort of cool to see when the computer turns the fans on during normal driving.
If you have any questions post them, Lot's of people have have done the home grown approach instead of buying a kit for $60-$70...
Good luck!
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Re: DIY Manual fan switch. Red2000SS you did exactly what I want to do. Could you please do a quick writeup of how you wired it for me? On my monte I tapped into one of the fan relays for power ran it to the switch, then grounded the switch. But the LED light wouldnt turn on on the switch. I would really appreciate it.
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Verdad Gallardo Re: DIY Manual fan switch. Re: DIY Manual fan switch.
Red2000SS you did exactly what I want to do. Could you please do a quick writeup of how you wired it for me? On my monte I tapped into one of the fan relays for power ran it to the switch, then grounded the switch. But the LED light wouldnt turn on on the switch. I would really appreciate it.
that is why most people use auxilary led's.
Ryan.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 618
Likes: 0
From: Pensacola, FL
Re: DIY Manual fan switch. http://ls1info.com/article.php?sid=222
http://ls1info.com/article.php?sid=180
The first is an automatic fan switch.
The other is the free thermostat mod.
The manual can be done but you must:
Run wires into the cabin.
Remember to turn the thing on and off.
(Many F-body batteries have died over this)
Mount a switch. (I don't like clutter)
Install the auto switch and forget about it.
Lower the stat temp and do the TB bypass while you are at it.
I did these 3 mods and dropped my temps and KR.
They compliment each other.
Edit: All three mods cost me ~$20 total!
Good luck
Dave
http://ls1info.com/article.php?sid=180
The first is an automatic fan switch.
The other is the free thermostat mod.
The manual can be done but you must:
Run wires into the cabin.
Remember to turn the thing on and off.
(Many F-body batteries have died over this)
Mount a switch. (I don't like clutter)
Install the auto switch and forget about it.
Lower the stat temp and do the TB bypass while you are at it.
I did these 3 mods and dropped my temps and KR.
They compliment each other.
Edit: All three mods cost me ~$20 total!
Good luck
Dave
TECH Addict
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,593
Likes: 0
From: TEXAS
Re: DIY Manual fan switch. NightHawk, I made my spacer for the thermostat out of a small stainless steel machine screw. I just cut a small piece off, the ground it down until I got the size I wanted. A #10 machine screw is about 3/16 in diameter so it fits nicely. I have seen others use a .177 BB.
