I recently picked up a 03 z71 tahoe, the radiator fan is plastic and cracked and needs to be replaced. I figured I would just replace it with electric fans off a newer model . I didn't know that ecu ran the fans . Is it worth it to reflash or tune the ecu or run them the old fashioned way with a thermostat and a relay? Is there even a hand held programmer on the market that will turn them on? From what I've read all 03 and up pcm's have the E-fan function just need to be turned on?
CK5
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5.3 electric fans?
- Thread starter prolinews
- Start date
I am using electric fans on my 2003 6.0 swap. For me I have to reflash the PCU anyway so there was no cost there but I'm wondering if the pin gets set whether the fans are there or not. I think it's possible that you could just hook a wire to the correct pin and run it without having to reflash.
Hopefully someone with more experience will chime in.
Hopefully someone with more experience will chime in.
I'd weigh in on the side of using the ECU to control them, if it's not a very costly or difficult process.
Still need a relay, but it will save some wiring and components.
Unless you have an overarching concern (mainly water crossings) that makes electric fans a necessity, they are a lot of complexity for about zero gain.
There are other benefits, but again you are trading that for cost, effort and complexity.
Still need a relay, but it will save some wiring and components.
Unless you have an overarching concern (mainly water crossings) that makes electric fans a necessity, they are a lot of complexity for about zero gain.
There are other benefits, but again you are trading that for cost, effort and complexity.
My 5.3's ECU runs my fans and I have no issues. The ECU closes the ground for the fan circuit, I used it to close the relays for the fans. On at 210* off at 195*
Did you have to flash your ecu to turn the fan function on? From what I understand all the 03 and up ecu's have the fan programming in them they just need to enabled. For now I'm going to replace the stock fan. Then I'm going to go dig around in the pull a part and salvage a set of fans and harness. I'm not opposed to having the ecu flashed but seems a waste of money to spend 240 bucks to just turn fans on. Maybe If I was to change cams and other mods a tune would be worth the money.
