1G Lower temp coolant temp sensor (Thermoswitch)?

[perks563]

I was at the local hangout the other night and talking with a fellow dsmer about my cooling problems. He said that the coolant temp sensor (the one in the bottom of the radiator that controls the fans) could be swapped with a VW/Audi sensor that would trigger the fans at a lower temp. For example, stock they come on around 206, he was saying that there was a VW/Audi sensor for 195 and 185 and that they would thread in to the dsm radiator (16x1.5). Anyone ever hear of this or do this swap?

Thanks!

 

[boost97gst]

You would need to find out the resistance of the sensor at 206 degrees. Then find it at say, 190 or whatever you like. Im not sure how thermistors work but i think resistance increases as temp does so if you added a resistor with the correct resistance in series, it should, in theory turn on the fans earlier. This is not just "take a wild ass guess" stuff though. Needs to be measured exactly.

 

[96 420a-t]

Honestly it would be easier to just wire your fans to always be on with ignition. Even then it wont make much of a difference. I ran my car no thermostat with fans always on and my temp stayed at 215 unless I spent a long time cruising at freeway speeds then it would drop into the 190s

 

[ramsack]

That thing is not a sensor, it's a switch. Inside is not a thermistor, but a bi-metal strip with a contact that bends with heat. It's either on or off, and needs to be tested with a multimeter/continuity tester, a thermometer, and a pot of water on a stove.

 

[perks563]

Honestly it would be easier to just wire your fans to always be on with ignition. Even then it wont make much of a difference. I ran my car no thermostat with fans always on and my temp stayed at 215 unless I spent a long time cruising at freeway speeds then it would drop into the 190s

I had an adjustable controller but that recently failed. I want to go back to the stock wiring so that I don't have to worry about it but want the fans to come on at a lower temp. Thought someone might know what this kid was talking about. According to him, its been done before, so if someone knew about it that would save me the testing part.

 

[boost97gst]

That thing is not a sensor, it's a switch. Inside is not a thermistor, but a bi-metal strip with a contact that bends with heat. It's either on or off, and needs to be tested with a multimeter/continuity tester, a thermometer, and a pot of water on a stove.

Thanks, i did not know that. Makes sense. OP: Def, your only option now is wiring in a switch or relay to make them both come on whenever the cars running.