Date:         Fri, 24 Oct 1997 12:00:29 -0500
Reply-To:     "Mark B. Magee" <condor2@FLASH.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon mailing list <Vanagon@Gerry.SDSC.EDU>
From:         "Mark B. Magee" <condor2@FLASH.NET>
Organization: Condor Efficiency
Subject:      Re: fan aux switch how to?
Comments: To: Dan Belick <dbelick@PEAPOD.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

> Has anyone wired an auxiliary on switch for the radiator fan?  I'd
> like to be able to be proactive about the overheat situation by
> turning on the fan.  This would be used when stuck in traffic, using
> a drive thru window, etc.
Dan,
I would not do it for the following reasons:
1) T-stat heats motor to 185 deg F
2) Fan kicks in at say 200 deg F
Therefore you have a small window in which to work with in operating the
fan manually. Furthermore, this spread was carefully thought out by
engineers back in the Fatherland and should you kick the fan in sooner
than needed, you risk actually losing overall efficiency for wanting to
cool the engine that the computer has determined is already "cool" (or
certainly not hot enough needing the fan). Higher temp water cools more
rapidly (efficiently) than relatively cooler water.
Do not under any circumstances disengage the auto switch for kicking on
the fan, for if you did, relying only on your manual switch and became
preoccuppied and did not catch a "Hot" engine situation you risk an
overtemp and loss of the engine.
Also, I want my brother/sister Vanagoneers watching the road, not the
temp guage! It's dangerous out there, No?!
My $.02
Mark B. Magee
88 GL
82 Diesel Westy
96 Suzuki 4WD