i already bought a fan switch for my 305TPI. i got the one that turns on at 200 and off at 185. Ive heard mixed reviews though. Does the switch get installed passenger side in between the 2 rear plugs? Is it a pain in the rear to do? Does anyone have a pic of exactly where it goes??

 

Looking in my 88 wiring manual for the Camaro i see it is located on the passenger's side of the car above the starter solenoid. I am not sure it is in the same location for you but I cannot see why they would change it just because it's a Firebird. The diagram I am looking at labels it the "Heavy Duty Coolant Fan Switch". Either way it would be the only sensor with one wire connecting to it above the starter solenoid.

 

Yes, passenger side cylinder head, between the 6 and 8 cylinders.

Knock sensor is on that side as well (in the block, though). From the factory, they both are button-head design.

 

cools, thanks guys...i think i found it. Right between the 2 plugs, just above the starter solenoid. Im soaked the threaded part that is in the block with PB blaster(stuff works wonders), so when i attempt to take it out hopefully it wont give me a problem. Anyone have an info as to what tool they found easiest to take it out? From the way it looks to me, looks like a long open ended wrench should do the trick

 

Ready to get soaked? Almost the entire engine contents of fluid will drain right at YOU when you remove it (if you're underneath)! Just close mouth!

 

yea kinda figured that, thats why im chaning the radiator at the same time i do the switch...so there is the least amount of coolant possible.

 

Couple of choices then: either 1.) pull the passenger side drain plug (knock sensor) or 2.) unscrew the fan switch a little bit so it only weeps out, rather than gushes out (walk away, get a beverage of choice - this is my favorite method), or 3.) just unscrew it and pray you get out of the way in time - if you do it from the bottom.

 

Emptying (is that a real word? - hell I use it all the time! LOL) the radiator won't make a difference much - the coolant in the face comes from the block and intake. Beverage of choice sounds good - as long as it isn't bright green!

 

Look at this article. It should help you a lot.
Keepin' Your Cool

 

I spent the big bucks on that Hypertech switch (from the above link) for my 1990 - it doesn't work any better than the junk from Autozone - I still have to leave my A/C switch on to run my fan, as the Hypertech switch failed after 3 months as well as the Autozone junk.

On my 1992, I went with a seperate unit with the probe that sticks between the fins of the radiator, and plugged that hole in the block - I am very pleased with it's operation thus far.

 

wahoo, thanks alot for that article....going to help me alot....i only wish they told me where they got there 3 core rad from..lol..

 

I wish people would quit paying like $40 for the hypertech crap i mean fan switch.

Sorry anything with their name on it isnt worth the weight of itself.

Order a high speed fan swith for a Turbo Buick/GN. should run u under $20 last time i bought one.

Comes on 20 degrees cooler than our stock 2nd fan setting and turns off near 185. Believe the on temp os a crack over 200, like 203 or 205.

later
Jeremy

 

Yes. For you lazy folks the GM# is 3053190.

 

I just ordered the hypertech 160 stat and 166 fan switch for my TBI engine and they should be coming in tomorrow. Are you using the 185 fan switch for your 2nd or 1st fan? I only have one so when I called hypertech they said to go with the 160 stat and 160s-170s fan switch combo.

 

yea, see thats what im thinkin of now. Right now im running a 160 t-stat. The switch i got is the 200-185 one. I believe it just controls the 1st fan and the 2nd one gets left alone...im not 100% sure though

 

yea, see thats what im thinkin of now. Right now im running a 160 t-stat. The switch i got is the 200-185 one. I believe it just controls the 1st fan and the 2nd one gets left alone...im not 100% sure though

 

yea, see thats what im thinkin of now. Right now im running a 160 t-stat. The switch i got is the 200-185 one. I believe it just controls the 1st fan and the 2nd one gets left alone...im not 100% sure though

 

I may be mistaken, but I was under the impression that, on a stock setup, the second fan on a dual fan setup only came on when the A/C was turned on - better wait for a dual fan expert to chime in - all my rides have a single fan.

 

From my knowledge and from what happened just one time, the primary fan(drivers side) comes on at 225', and the secondary one(pass side), comes on at 235. If im mistaken, please feel free to correct me but im pretty sure thats the way it is.