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Windstar fan connectors

Good idea. I'll get it up and running and see what adjustments I should make. I'm using an EBL ECM which is purely software controlled (it reads the temp and turns on the fans if need be, presumably upping the idle if needed). I should be able to change the on/off temps and stuff at will. Using a mechanical setup for backup is something I'll keep in mind. Maybe setting the temp on that higher would be good to keep from confusing the ECM.
 
Can you control multiple fans or just one with that setup? I don't have a problem using the ECM for control of multiple fans, it's not like the relays couldn't be bypassed for a quick/easy trail fix if something catastrophic happened, but if the ECM is dead, not sure where you are going anyways. :)
 
dyeager535 said:
Can you control multiple fans or just one with that setup? I don't have a problem using the ECM for control of multiple fans, it's not like the relays couldn't be bypassed for a quick/easy trail fix if something catastrophic happened, but if the ECM is dead, not sure where you are going anyways. :)
Click to expand...

There's one wire coming out that pulls low for fan. I split it to each of the two relays so they'll both come on at once. It would be simple to force them on or off at the relays, which are underhood. If the things cool too much and cycle all the time, I'll think about controlling the smaller one with a temp switch set at a higher temp than the ECM is using.

Yeah, without the ECM you've got nothing to cool anyway.

The one thing about the old fashioned ECM control is that it all stops when the engine turns off. A temp switch could be set up to keep cooling. Though I'm not sure how I feel about sucking down my battery like that and just walking away while it's running. New cars do it sometimes though I think...
 
That's why I suggest running it before "finalizing" the setup. It very well may be that on low, the fans aren't enough, or cool it off way too fast. But I certainly do notice that the difference in how much cooling (how often/long the fan runs) is required changes greatly when you are slowly crawling up steep roads vs. stop and go traffic.

I have to go back and look at my wiring for the temp switch, but I do not like fans coming on with the key off. With proper cooling, you shouldn't have problems with heat soak, I'd prefer to be able to work under there without those things surprising me. :)
 
This is making me think of changing my ECU to dual fan outputs, using IAT, VSS and CLT to determine the cooling needs and stage the fans. Or it could be simpler, using just CLT for both, but at different setpoints.:thinking:
 
Just to really muddy the waters, you might check out these units.

http://www.flex-a-lite.com/auto/html/vsc.html

http://www.dccontrol.com/

They let you set the temp you want the fans to try to maintain. They will tend to softstart the fans to avoid the high current startup, and will change the speed of the fans according to the temp.
Lets the fans run more without as many starts and stops, but does not try to overcool the system.
 
Now that I have the CS-130 alternator (think it's rated at 130A) when the fan kicks on I don't notice the draw. Obviously the ECM stepping up idle slightly right before the fan turns on helps, but I suspect having an efficient alternator helps.

Having the fans come on all at once would indeed be a large draw, but staggering the start would probably cause less of an issue.

Those "soft start" controllers seem to be getting more popular. So far I haven't seen the need for one in my case. My next ECM will be able to control two fan's, independently.
 
Out of curiousness, what wire in the TBI ECM controls a fan and at what temp does it kick on? Both mine are activated via one switch, and I was wanting to convert to that style. I want my big one (windstars like you) to come on when it gets warm, and the smaller one to kick on via A/C and/or a switch on my dash.

And when both of mine kick on at the same time, you know it for sure. Idle drops for a sec and then the IAC picks it back up, voltage drops as well till idle is raised to compensate, and this I am not a fan of.
 
I have a Dynamic EFI "EBL" ECM, which is based on GM ECM hardware but with modified software. One of its features is a fan control output. I don't think factory TBI ECMs had fan control.
 
I was kinda guessing that, but wanted to make sure. I just need to buck up and buy some thermal activated switch device things.
 
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