Temp sending?

[Foggman]

I have a '94 X with an electric cooling fan with one of those temp. probes that goes through the radiator fins. I am not comfortable with its reliability (it seems to be inconsistent with when it turns on) Does anyone know of any way other than the probe way to get coolant temps to a relay that would turn a fan on?

I was thinking about doing some testing on the two temp guages on the intake mainfold right behind the thermostat tube. I was also thiking about using a home made type that would involve cutting the heater hose and putting in a "T" fitting but from what I understand if you dont have the heater turned on the coolant will just fill up in the hose and not circulate. DOes that make sense?

 

[Creager]

I'm just curious, have you tried different positions on the radiator to put the probe? I'm personally unfamiliar with the electric cooling fan, and probe deal. But, in my experience with old radiators, they tend to get crudded up with cauliflower rust. I'm thinking maybe you hit a spot with the probe thats all crudded up, and therefore unable to read and consistent temp.

...maybe?

 

[Vanquish502]

Can the probe get wet?

 

[spindlecone]

Those probes actually work very well, most that run e-fans use them.
They should be inserted as close to the rad outlet hose as possible.
Mine comes on at exactally 197 and shuts off at 193

 

[Foggman]

I suppose it could get wet...it is open to the elements.

Spindle, when you say as close to the outlet hose as possible, does that mean the bottom Rad. hose or the top?

Thanks for the input guys...I tried a search on here and found very little on temp. sending units. Also I installed an aftermarket guage for temp. that actually shows numbers and it seems that my fan turns on at about 200, almost 210 and shuts off at around 200. With the new guage though, it seems like it is more consistant than I thought, its just a little high for my taste. Is 200 - 210 a bad operating range?

 

[spindlecone]

Is the top hose, do you have a control box with your fan, with a rotery Knob to adjust when the fan comes on.
200 is in the ballpark, I would not be concerned as long as the fan maintains 200.
At cold startup after driving about 5 miles I see a temp surge to 206, the T-stat is openeng at about 195 but the incoming water from the engine is hotter than 195.
All equalizes in about 30 secs
My Edit, Flex-a-lite said 220 is fine on my engine, as long as your fan can maintain 200, would say no worrys,JMO

 

[Vanquish502]

Try putting the probe into the coolant. Take the main rad hose off and cram the wire in then tighten the clamp a little extra?