Coolant temp sensor and coolant temp switch/fan switch
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Fort Lewis, WA
Car: 1985 Trans am/1999 TT vette
Engine: 305/LS2
Transmission: 700R4/T56
Axle/Gears: stock
Coolant temp sensor and coolant temp switch/fan switch
The coolant temp sensor is right by the thermostat, right? Where is the coolant temp switch/fan switch?
Supreme Member
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,670
Likes: 3
From: Elwood, IN
Car: 1986 camaro Sports Coupe
Engine: L31 350
Transmission: 89 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42 gov lock
Re: Coolant temp sensor and coolant temp switch/fan switch
driver side head, right behind the AC compressor
Supreme Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 19
From: Cary, North Carolina
Car: 1992 RS
Engine: Carbed 350
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42 posi
Re: Coolant temp sensor and coolant temp switch/fan switch
Nope - not there - at least not on V8.
Coolant Temp SENSOR (for the computer) - thermostat location
Coolant Temp SENDER (for the gauge) - driver head between #1 & #3 spark plug
Fan Switch - pass side head between #6 & #8 spark plug
Coolant Temp SENSOR (for the computer) - thermostat location
Coolant Temp SENDER (for the gauge) - driver head between #1 & #3 spark plug
Fan Switch - pass side head between #6 & #8 spark plug
Supreme Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 19
From: Cary, North Carolina
Car: 1992 RS
Engine: Carbed 350
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42 posi
Re: Coolant temp sensor and coolant temp switch/fan switch
Now - if you have dual fans, only the secondary fan is controlled by the fan switch, the primary fan is controlled by the ECM. So, if you are having primary fan issues, might be bad fan relay. If having secondary fan issues, might be bad relay for that fan or the fan switch.
Oh - secondary fan should also come on with A/C - so if you have A/C still in tact and pressurized, start car when cold (so you know the ECM won't turn on the primary fan) , turn on A/C, and see which fan runs with A/C on - then you know which is which.
Oh - secondary fan should also come on with A/C - so if you have A/C still in tact and pressurized, start car when cold (so you know the ECM won't turn on the primary fan) , turn on A/C, and see which fan runs with A/C on - then you know which is which.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Fort Lewis, WA
Car: 1985 Trans am/1999 TT vette
Engine: 305/LS2
Transmission: 700R4/T56
Axle/Gears: stock
Re: Coolant temp sensor and coolant temp switch/fan switch
Its a big single fan (14 inch).
Junior Member
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 83
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From: Amarillo, Tx.
Car: 1988 Trans Am GTA
Engine: 5.7 TPI
Re: Coolant temp sensor and coolant temp switch/fan switch
How the heck do yo get to the Fan switch on the 305, from underneath? I hope not....I am a big guy and to get the car off the ground would be a chore.
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Re: Coolant temp sensor and coolant temp switch/fan switch
If not, underneath you go
Junior Member
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
From: Amarillo, Tx.
Car: 1988 Trans Am GTA
Engine: 5.7 TPI
Re: Coolant temp sensor and coolant temp switch/fan switch
I do not have headers......so underneath I go. Or just take it the nearest shop and have them lift it up and do it. I hate paying for the labor when I can do it. Just getting underneath will be a chore.
I did check the fan and it does not come on when the temperature rises but does come on when I run the AC. Right now my AC doesn't work so I never run it. Am I replacing the right part?
I did check the fan and it does not come on when the temperature rises but does come on when I run the AC. Right now my AC doesn't work so I never run it. Am I replacing the right part?
Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 496
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles (310)
Car: 89 IROC-VERT
Engine: TPI 305
Transmission: 700R4 Auto
Axle/Gears: 2.77
Re: Coolant temp sensor and coolant temp switch/fan switch
Now - if you have dual fans, only the secondary fan is controlled by the fan switch, the primary fan is controlled by the ECM. So, if you are having primary fan issues, might be bad fan relay. If having secondary fan issues, might be bad relay for that fan or the fan switch.
Oh - secondary fan should also come on with A/C - so if you have A/C still in tact and pressurized, start car when cold (so you know the ECM won't turn on the primary fan) , turn on A/C, and see which fan runs with A/C on - then you know which is which.
Oh - secondary fan should also come on with A/C - so if you have A/C still in tact and pressurized, start car when cold (so you know the ECM won't turn on the primary fan) , turn on A/C, and see which fan runs with A/C on - then you know which is which.
Junior Member
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
From: Amarillo, Tx.
Car: 1988 Trans Am GTA
Engine: 5.7 TPI
Re: Coolant temp sensor and coolant temp switch/fan switch
Found that the pigtail with the plastic connector to the switch was missing so the wire was just hanging there. Connected a new pigtail from Oreilys $10.00 and all is good with overheating.
Re: Coolant temp sensor and coolant temp switch/fan switch
Does anyone here know what temperature the fan switch should be activating the fan at?
My car runs cool on the freeway but warms up to around 220 and a little higher in stop and go traffic and the fan doesn't seem to come on until over 220.
I have called all the local auto parts stores and they have the fan switch in stock but they can't tell me what temperatures it works on.
When can I find one that will turn the fan on sooner?
My car runs cool on the freeway but warms up to around 220 and a little higher in stop and go traffic and the fan doesn't seem to come on until over 220.
I have called all the local auto parts stores and they have the fan switch in stock but they can't tell me what temperatures it works on.
When can I find one that will turn the fan on sooner?
Supreme Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 19
From: Cary, North Carolina
Car: 1992 RS
Engine: Carbed 350
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42 posi
Re: Coolant temp sensor and coolant temp switch/fan switch
220 is normal operating temp for these cars. Alternative switch part numbers can be found by searching "fan switch" and look for a thread that reads alternatives in the title.
Re: Coolant temp sensor and coolant temp switch/fan switch
Got it "Camaronewbie"!
Neihoff DR137x is the cooler fan switch and turns on at 204 degrees.
The only problem is none of the local auto parts stores can get it!
Also my car has the 305 TBI v8 with single electric fan,where is the fan switch located on the single fan cars?
Neihoff DR137x is the cooler fan switch and turns on at 204 degrees.
The only problem is none of the local auto parts stores can get it!
Also my car has the 305 TBI v8 with single electric fan,where is the fan switch located on the single fan cars?
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: phillipsburg, nj
Car: 87 iroc
Engine: mostly stock 5.7
Transmission: jasper stage 2 700r4
Axle/Gears: stock
Re: Coolant temp sensor and coolant temp switch/fan switch
heres my dillemma, 87 iroc 5.7 tpi wire is there for the secondary fan for the fan switch...problem is i believe someone put a plug in the head where the switch was.....should i just take plug out and put switch there?
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,821
Likes: 40
From: Central California
Car: 92 Camaro RS
Engine: LO3
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: stock
Re: Coolant temp sensor and coolant temp switch/fan switch
Got it "Camaronewbie"!
Neihoff DR137x is the cooler fan switch and turns on at 204 degrees.
The only problem is none of the local auto parts stores can get it!
Also my car has the 305 TBI v8 with single electric fan,where is the fan switch located on the single fan cars?
Neihoff DR137x is the cooler fan switch and turns on at 204 degrees.
The only problem is none of the local auto parts stores can get it!
Also my car has the 305 TBI v8 with single electric fan,where is the fan switch located on the single fan cars?
Fan switch is in the head between the #6 and #8 spark plug
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,821
Likes: 40
From: Central California
Car: 92 Camaro RS
Engine: LO3
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: stock
Re: Coolant temp sensor and coolant temp switch/fan switch
Does anyone here know what temperature the fan switch should be activating the fan at?
My car runs cool on the freeway but warms up to around 220 and a little higher in stop and go traffic and the fan doesn't seem to come on until over 220.
I have called all the local auto parts stores and they have the fan switch in stock but they can't tell me what temperatures it works on.
When can I find one that will turn the fan on sooner?
My car runs cool on the freeway but warms up to around 220 and a little higher in stop and go traffic and the fan doesn't seem to come on until over 220.
I have called all the local auto parts stores and they have the fan switch in stock but they can't tell me what temperatures it works on.
When can I find one that will turn the fan on sooner?
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/cool...ernatives.html
Junior Member

Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Tennessee
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: 700r4
Re: Coolant temp sensor and coolant temp switch/fan switch
Looking for advice. I have a 91 Firebird 305 tbi. It has been hard to start for years. The culprit wound up being a bad coolant temp sensor (next to thermostat). The guy at the parts store told me to wrench it all the way into the hole. Several other people have said that it is not supposed to go all the way in. I am hoping that I haven't damaged the intake. Any thoughts/opinions on this?
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Elkhart, Kansas
Car: 1991 RS
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: 700R4currentT5WC in garage
Re: Coolant temp sensor and coolant temp switch/fan switch
OK we now that i know where to find the sensors and which ones do what. Do any of you all know how a person would go about testing them with a voltmeter? I know im not into blowing cash on parts that are not needed. Id rather be buying ones that are needed.
Member

Joined: May 2009
Posts: 227
Likes: 2
From: Long Island, NY
Engine: LB9 5.0L TPI
Transmission: T-5
Axle/Gears: 9-bolt Borg Warner, 3.45
Re: Coolant temp sensor and coolant temp switch/fan switch
Does my AC have to be charged for the secondary fan to build enough pressure to spin? AC works just blows warm
Re: Coolant temp sensor and coolant temp switch/fan switch
If your temperature sending unit in the driver's side head isn't working will that throw the motor off and cause slight back firing at loss of power
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 16,694
Likes: 979
From: Mile High Country !!!
Car: 1967 Camaro, 91 z28
Engine: Lb9
Transmission: M20
Axle/Gears: J65 pbr on stock posi 10bolt
Re: Coolant temp sensor and coolant temp switch/fan switch
Dead thread, on a v8 the drivers side sensor is for the temperature gauge.
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Car: 1992 Camaro RS
Engine: 305
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 2.73
Re: Coolant temp sensor and coolant temp switch/fan switch
Do you have a part number for this? I think mine might have melted and is therefore shot. Thanks!
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 27,819
Likes: 2,406
Car: Yes
Engine: Usually
Transmission: Sometimes
Axle/Gears: Behind me somewhere
Re: Coolant temp sensor and coolant temp switch/fan switch
That post was from 7 years ago.
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=gm+fan+switch+pigtail
Go ahead, you're smart, you can DO THIS.
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=gm+fan+switch+pigtail
Go ahead, you're smart, you can DO THIS. Supreme Member

Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,356
Likes: 15
From: northern VA
Car: 88 Sport Coupe Camaro
Engine: V6 2.8
Transmission: Borg-Warner T-5
Axle/Gears: RPO/GU6: 3.42
Re: Coolant temp sensor and coolant temp switch/fan switch
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Last edited by W.E.G.; Jun 9, 2019 at 05:46 PM.
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