Installing a Manual Fan Switch for Electric Radiator Fans

[@Grandpasaab]

Bro legend, I was reading and reading but this was by far the easiest method. soldered a switch to a ground and soldered to the pin 85 on the relay box and voila it works! Saab 9-3 2000

[@MajorThreat275]

Just a quick point to those of less understanding. The wire he runs to the relay box does not actually go to the individual fan relay, ( 15 amp or 30 amp depending on vehicle), but to the fan mode CONTROL relay.

[@williamjolliffsr4907]

I would like to say this video is 100% correct. I have an 89 Mustang 5.0 convertible with aftermarket electric fan and it quit working so I used his way to ground out the relay to get it to start. Thank you for the video.

[@davidrobinson311]

On obd2 Controlled vehicles, doing this method still allows the computer to switch on and off both relays, your only manually turning on the low speed fan. Even with the switch off the computer will still turn it on at a specific temp. To have complete control over the fan you have to splice the switch between the ground wire for the fan at the radiator. The amps and voltage remains the same for either method. Doing this method having the switch off keeps it off. Turning it on gives the computer the ability to turn it back on again once it reaches a certain temp. All your doing is killing power to the fan. With this method I mentioned. I hope this cleared a lot of stuff up for everyone.

[@davidrobinson311]

JR then what you should do is find either the positive or negative closest to the fan itself for the radiator fan you want to control, those wires are already relayed so a 20 amp switch or higher will work for that circuit, what you do is cut that wire, if it’s a ground run a ground wire from the switch to the ground on the fan side, and run a wire from the switch to something metal behind the dash, if it’s a positive then you run both wires from the switch one goes to the fan and the other to the wire that has been cut on the relay side. It’s best that you use a 10 gauge wire for these connections because of voltage drop and amperage.

[@wongway40]

I have a problem that it throws up a fan fault code if the computer is activating the relay and turning the fan on and you manually activate the relay at the same time

[@elflacosalinas]

Great video! Fast, to the point and talks the right amount!! Great job!!!!!

[@richhughes5784]

Did you go back and unwrap the wire from your clutch pedal after you watched the video?

[@sassyrav]

I have electrical dual fans OEM setup (low and high speed). I put mine on the low speed relay at pin 85. This trick worked perfect. If I wanted to use the high speed I'd just use the 85 on that relay instead. If I wanted to use both, I'd have two separate switches. So for anyone wondering which relay since some have different names, just use the relay that activates the fan. For some odd reason my toggle switch works back to front but it works and thats all I care about ;) Thanks for sharing this vid.

[@Motorcycle_Man]

Question, when toggle switch is off will the fan still work normally through the ecu? If its wired how you explain

[@twelvedigitmedia3224]

glad you got straight to the point and didn't blab like others

[@peterlarocca1046]

Hi , What about if you have 2 fans in a car

[@alejandroarenas1146]

Use a multi-tester to test the ground pin of the relay and the car body ground. Confirm that they are the ground points before you connect the wires of the toggle switch.

[@2XPWeeknd]

i love how this could be used for many things pertaining to wiring a switch to a fuse to manually control things in ur car like the dtrl’s

[@randeepsingh369]

What is dtrl

[@2XPWeeknd]

@@randeepsingh369 Its your Day Time Running Lights !

[@jaybee570]

No need for an inline fuse ?

[@JohnSmith-zw6tr]

PLEASE READ COMMENTS BEFORE ATTEMPTING THIS PROCEDURE ON YOUR VEHICLE

[@isaiahspahn3467]

Super well made video man, awesome stuff

[@mohameddada2580]

Omg. You've just help me solve my rav 4 fan problem. The fan comes on at a very late stage,i can't hear it when it comes on,with what you've done,its ideal, safe,cheap and very easy to install. Thx again. Gud advise at the end of your vidio. 👍. 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe.

[@bluesstudio7441]

I did a quick grounding to my radiator fan relay and i ended up burning the centre of the fuse box and guess what, more money to fix the whole circut and replacing relays. You might think it is easy but when you can't see electricity, nothing is easy but blowing up some $$$. I've done enough!

[@GearHeads09]

Same with mine, just burnt couple fuses trying to follow this lol

[@blainesanchez368]

@@GearHeads09 how did you burn the fuses? Did your wire touch something else? I don't see why it would burn out a fuse, I want to try this but your guys comments scared me lol

[@GearHeads09]

@@blainesanchez368 I plugged the wire on pin 85 supposed to be ground and did not work... then I switch to a different hole and bam spark and got 3 fuses burnt, if you are testing it make sure you do it beside where you live and have couple 10A or 15A mini fuses on hand...

[@jameslane6431]

Great information I will fix mine exactly like you did your Car.

[@Riklott1111]

Thanks Can I do this on my 07 charger? Which post on the relay do I attach the wire to? There’s 5 of them?

[@tonyrome068]

Great work, just what I needed.

[@davepenprase]

Thanks good video sir very concise well done

[@66ElCamino357]

Being my Spal fan is grounded my thought was to splice into the hot wire between the fan and relay and use a toggle switch under the dash....

[@feonjun]

My darn Lexus ES300 ECU-G fuse keep blowing, which controls the radiator fans. I just took it into the shop to find issues, but I just lost $178 for diagnostics. I think I'm just going to do this. My question is, how often should I turn the fans on if I'm on the road. 1. How often? 2. For how long?

[@jameslaiola4976]

Thank you Sir. Is there a chance you have an idea how to do this on a 2016 focus?

[@chrismorneau8188]

Ground out pin 85 with a switch. Nice.!

[@stevenwithers3519]

Awesome video bro 💪🏽

[@TheFalcondan95705]

You grounded one wire and then ran another to the Ground on the relay?? two grounds?? how does this work?

[@jamessimones2987]

without a negative, positive goes no where. So by breaking the ground wire to a switch, when set to off. The positive wire can't be charged, because it has no negative to complete the cycle. once on the positive can be charged, thus turning on the fans.

[@Rafaelnewyorkcity]

Omg thank you I thought I was crazy for wanting to do this since I couldn’t find a single video on it other than this.

[@imstoned8851]

Did it work

[@chrismason1167]

Hey as soon as I did this and went down the road I got a p1651 code on my 1999 Chevy Malibu. Check engine light came on. What do I do? The fans were both working when I did this. Ideas?

[@Arothgar]

just curious if this method will still allow the fans to be controlled by the ECU?

[@SlanginBeatz]

Why is it when I install 2 terminal toggle switch it works perfectly amd a 3 terminal with light doesnt

[@JohnSmith-zw6tr]

I have a 2012 Dodge Charger with the SAME 4 pin relays. I did this EXACT PROCEDURE (Pin 85, jumper wire to toggle, toggle to ground) and the car died IMMEDIATELY AFTER switch activation; with these codes: U0100 Lost Communications with ECM/PCM U0121 Lost Communications with ABS module U110B Manufacturer’s Control (Lost TCM Comm) I think I just blew my PCM/ECM/TCM computer Checked all the fuses, they are good. Switched relays to test function, they work also. I’m so frustrated. I wish I never watched this video. UPDATE: Turns out PIN 85 of all the “Coolant Fan” relays on a 2012 Dodge Charger, lead directly to the ECM. Grounding out the PIN 85 slot on any of these relays shorts out (fries the Solid State Memory) the ECM. If you do this procedure, you are literally gambling with your car. Make sure it’s SAFE. Chances are, it’s NOT. And, you will end up just like me, buying a new ECM.

[@haf2193]

Yup,it could fry u car ecu by doing this..well he tell it straight forward,u should more carefull next time..they a better way to do it this setup.

[@wackosauer369]

Yeah I just did the same bloody thing 😡

[@kimsimpson3802]

Thank cause I have a 2007 Yaris now my fan new won’t come on and the power sterling left everything new unde the hood and car thank u

[@Chelinho89]

So this will keep it from overheating the switch ?

[@G20-c8m]

can i put 2 wires direclty instead of the relay? one wire from pin 86 to 85 and one to 87 to 30 ?

[@jackyphotos]

Hello, can the green wire connect to pin 86 instead of 85, will cause a spark or short? thanks and great vid., btw, how can simply test which is 85 or 86?

[@kennedyedwards1963]

i’m pretty sure he uses 85 to ground it

[@activerock9972]

I need help I tried this and i saw spark coming from the ground end now my radiator fan does not come on at all. Please help!

[@sashasasha9694]

I have Mazda 3 2.0, 2006. There isn't relay, just 40 A fuse in the box under the hood, and fan control module on fan assembly it self. Is it possible to by pass this module and install direct manual switch? Thanks

[@Fast_boosted]

Did u use a electrical toggle switch

[@peterlarocca1046]

Hi Dustin, I have a ferrari 328 that has 2 fans and l want to add a switch so if they fail l can turn them on manually. So could you please tell me if the way you done it on the video work the 2 fans ? Love your video .

[@michaelharris4651]

Great vid , you make it all so easy . Cheers 🇦🇺

[@chaseww]

I have fan 1, fan 2, fan 3, relay's. A total of 3 relay's. Would I use the number 3 relay for my ground wire install? Ty

[@Y2daT420]

For u guys with non running fans. Locate the thermal fan switch for your car .... If the fan works and relay is good the thermal fan switch is the problem. And is usually foundation either somewhere on the radiator or at the motor near the radiator hoses .. aquick Google search with your car make model year engine liter... Will show u the part and possibly a yr video on its exact location.

[@black57401]

Great video. You saved me.

[@FabioHirtSOWER-PASTOR]

Fuck yeah , that’s what I was looking for ! Thanks dude !

[@athiam152]

In other words, we need to jumper the ground pin on fan control relay to any grounding point on our car to turn on the radiator fan?

[@MrRicoRelz]

I’ve done this before but a different way. Will this method work if the fans plug in connector is not plugged up? I’ve usually just ran wires directly from the old connectors to a 12v source the to the toggle

[@yousefabdelwahed1156]

I have done everything as shown in the video and I got mine working correctly with the switch but its only working at the low speed. Is there any method to make it run on high speed every time? I have 2012 Nissan Altima.

[@jordanjones9285]

i did this my fans worked and this morning now they wont turn on any tips

[@codydarby3064]

Do the fans still automatically come on as factory when the switch is off? I would like to use them at red lights to have my fans on while idling.

[@dataglasses]

I think there is a temp setting? Once at the temp they come on?

[@Eastern_SA]

They should be triggered by both the factory setting and switch independently which every is used should work separately. Pin 85 is now triggered by either factory setting or the switch or both together. Two grounds to pin 85 won’t hurt.

[@Platinumtag]

@@Eastern_SA if leave on the fan switch , will the fan stop spin when I turn off the ignition?

[@Eastern_SA]

Platinumtag it should if wired correctly. I have toggle switch for my truck fans and when I turn off the vehicle, the fans go off even with toggle switch left on.

[@Platinumtag]

@@Eastern_SA try ground 85 but burn my starter fuse....so I realise my caliber don't have a control relay just a regular fan relay but I took the risk to see if it would work. But thanks

[@waynethorpe1341]

Brilliant

[@yaboiiaxel9527]

how expensive would it be get all the parts?

[@nickd.7267]

I did this exact same thing and nothing happened but I did get a check engine light

[@Hellohallo]

please help: So, i did exactly this. i put a wire to ground in the relay. 100%. and other side to ground on the chassis. 100% correct pin. triplle checked. and the relay shows the correct pin on the housing. 85. as soon as i connectec ground to chassis from the relay, Bang. 30Amp fuse blew. after replacing the 30 amp fuse. i can not get the radiator fan to work. it does not turn on anymore. i checked all fuses. all fuses are ok now. literally pulled every fuse to check, even inside the car, not only at the engine. checked all relays. replaced the relay i used to ground, with a working one. with all relays and all fuses checked and double checked. the fan does not work anymore with the usual setup. so i disconnected the fan, to check if the fan is burned out. i connected the fan to a seperate testing dc-12v 16 amp supply, and the radiator fan worked. so its not burned out. still, the radiator fan does not work anymore after i connected a grounded cable to ground, and bthat 30amp FAN-fuse blew. what could be the problem? my idea is now to find a 30amp + in the fuse box, and connect a wire to the first lead of that fuse. then put a inline fuse of another 30 amp fuse, and then directly to the radiator fan (which is then disconnected from the usual connector). hoping to find a 30amp source that only has power when ignition is on. because i want the fan to be always on, when i have the engine running. i dont need a on/off switch. i just want it always running, but not when the engine is off ofcourse.

[@pipikidlearn]

fan switch close fan on cool the engine ,there is a temperature switch ,one condition sumer time temperature sensor bad engine temperature high lite on switch should on ,but fan not on ,a simple way get a wire connect switch two fire on dashboard, when dash lit on , touch two fire together , fan will on to cool engine

[@erickdiaz7064]

Connect both wires to ground? Somebody please explain!?

[@erickdiaz7064]

Never mind I just looked through the comments and realized you don’t ever respond. Thanks

[@joktv7748]

@@erickdiaz7064 I tried it on my Acura RSX which is a different type relay but I did the same wiring ground socket to ground battery direct through a switch. I see the light on the switch go on but doesn't turn the fan on at all.

[@doctorhonda111]

I want to install one because my electric fans sometimes come on before i restart my car, and it strains the battery alot. If i do it this way, will turning it off with the switch cause it to be off no matter what?

[@justinlawley3520]

How do I know what size toggle switch I need? For a small car

[@AlrickFrancis-s6j]

Ok ill going to try it

[@dejet2220]

Very helpful thank you

[@johnvon9268]

Thanks so much, I want to set this up on my offroad rig for I have killed my electric fan on two deep water crossings haha Lucky I also run a clutch fan for back up. But it would be real nice to be able to switch off my electric fan before the deep water crossing.

[@edwinmatos5103]

my relay under the hood, has a two prong 50 amp fuse. can i still make fan run? 1995 tuarus sho.

[@syedadil6964]

Brother can i do same on 4 pin relay. Bcoz I have only one relay of fan so called written RDTR FAN RELAY. and other relay of other purpose of in car.ETC. ground togal switch and ground 85 relay pin .God bless u and your family. Amen.

[@Eastern_SA]

Great video. Will this work with fans connected to run from ECU signal. I have aftermarket ECU and harness and the fans are run by signal from ECU. I would like to connect them to run either with AC compressor on or with toggle switch.

[@Nekkidmolerat22]

Is it possible to do this with a 3 prong on off switch?

[@johnthornto1483]

Buick Regal how? When i run a wire to the relay ground and then toggle switch, i turn my key on and the fans kick in with just that one wire....?

[@Fadedmonk-007]

@@johnthornto1483 you have to ground a switch to the body

[@courtneyroy270]

Great idea, nice and easy thanks🇬🇧

[@josuu104-7]

Great video I tried this on my rx8... notorious car for running hot but I had no luck ! They only turn on when the car is off which beats the purpose of it. Any clues ? Thanks

[@caayydenn]

You probably have your polarities switched. Which means you need to redo the wiring and make sure you are using the correct wires for power and grounding.

[@reekoboost7498]

Great video, very helpful. I’m assuming this stops the fan coming on automatically now?

[@sassyrav]

Late reply but for anyone else wanting to know, it will still come on automatically as the relay is connected normally to the relay unit still. The only change was a wire was added to a pin on the relay. I've hooked this up on my car and it works flawlessly. Just make sure you check which pin is the earth when accessories is switched on using a test light. Some are on 86 and others are 85.

[@Motorcycle_Man]

​@@sassyravthanks!!

[@jeffreynelson8626]

I just did this and my car about blew up. Had a ground hooked up to a bolt near my fuse box and the other wire attached to the 85 prong on my relay. As soon as I flipped the switch all the heat protection melted right off my wires and was up in smokes. My car looked like Cheech and Chong had been chillin in there for days. Any idea what I did wrong?

[@2_2_4_3]

🤯🤯🤯😳

[@Xtremeee151]

Thank you.

[@julianhunter9455]

Can you do the same thing on a fan low or high relay? I cant seem to find a control relay on my car?

[@micthegreasemonkey2918]

good vid ive got a similiar switch that im about to install,1 option is to do it your way but my instructions althou a bit vaig say i can connect it to 1 of the wires comming from the bcm & grounding the other.what do u think of this 2nd method mate?

[@anthonytorino8170]

Is the process applicable to all other vehicles? I have a nissan xtrail t30

[@yousefabdelwahed1156]

Yes you can do it, I have done it for my 2012 Nissan Altima.

[@3nJo1]

"How do you know which mode you've enabled toggle to, and if only one, how do you enable both, low, and high output?"

[@kevinbaker9389]

You need to wire in a solenoid hooked up to a thermostat. You can add a new one on a radiator or an inline one on a coolant line. Can also hook it to a ignition so its dummy proof

[@TECHNOGEEK20000]

Can this be done via the ignition switch too? I was wanting to wire mine to my ignition switch and I dont know if the same method here would apply. Advice is appreciated!

[@TECHNOGEEK20000]

@Buick Regal I already got it all figured out. Thanks for replying.

[@FranciscoMartinez-of3gr]

Where do I get the switch?? Anybody knows? Please someone respond.

[@gunsandgaragegear601]

So will this still automatically turn on when the engine tells it to? or only on when the switch is on. My fan 2008 Lincoln MKX seems to not turn on high enough quick enough AND not have enough air when stopped to keep radiator condenser and AC condenser cool enough so i need to do something. either putting a switch on the whole thing or wiring up a second auxiliary fan on a switch... so does anyone know, doing it like this is there a way to retain the vehicle turning it on when it thinks it should still, but when i flip the switch it just turns and overrides on high?

[@michaelcatalano1447]

having similar issue on 09 flex

[@Platinumtag]

I just want to know if the ignition is off , and u turn the switch on, will the fan still come on?

[@dannyswanson4755]

I would assume so, I believe you have to connect thru ignition to prevent that

[@Pepzy]

Wassup with that steering wheel cover 💀

[@damndoor3570]

I didn't even see that till you said it lmao

[@noturaveragehondacivic]

Hi everyone. Can I reverse this kind of procedure? This has been done to my Honda but I don't really use my car for other than daily use. If someone can tell me pls comment😅

[@geolopez914]

Can I do this to a 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan???

[@alimuz7810]

Would this work on any car ?

[@Mauiamp]

What if you have a bad relay

[@shawndavis4842]

My car car only has a cool fan low not a fan relay ctrl. That should still work right?

[@alfredo9173]

Does it work if the fan is dedicated to the A/C. Thanks

[@daveofthedead1361]

This is more fun to do on a srt caliber with that fuse box behind the headlight lol

[@imstoned8851]

Does this work for a 99 honda

[@noborinin2]

Dang thanks that is easy simple.

[@DavidGonzalez-uo6pf]

I seen other videos that use a relay and a a fuse line, why?

[@williamtopia2135]

is it wired to the battery?

[@Xavieranarchist]

My relay fuse doesn’t have any numbers to indicate the ground how do I tell what pin the ground is? It’s a 2012 kia soul

[@tinatpasselepoivre]

All fuse have numbers printed on them. Those are iso so you should have no problem with finding their meaning ;)

[@codywaters4565]

Telefrag24 shouldn’t need a fan for that Kia they can run at 310*F lol jk

[@cwalker7070]

Great video...question I have is will the fans still turn on normally even if it the switch is off or will it only turn on if you turn the switch on

[@jamescadle5863]

Christian walker switch. It’s manual control.

[@thedark5454]

Good question

[@thedark5454]

@@jamescadle5863 so it's yes or no ?

[@Fujiii._]

@@thedark5454 it’s a switch, so just like at home if your light switch is set to off will they turn on?

[@AcerArtsOfficial]

Dude youre the man

[@felixbeutin9530]

the Fan can still turn on automatically even with the switch on off right ?

[@benitojr468]

Yes because your still your original relay is still in place. Your engine temp senor tells the realy to click on the fans. This clip is to manually over ride that signal. In my case. My 08 silverado only clicks on with AC only. So in idle or winter weather. I over heard in park.

[@michaelgonzalez7981]

Are any specific wires needed for this?

[@peterlarocca1046]

16 gauge

[@jonathanromero7889]

Would this work on a Pontiac Grand Prix 2004 I have 3 relays????

[@SimpliiJaii]

Did you figure this out?

[@AtiCrossfireX]

Nice tutorial

[@modifiedG54B]

So you're just grounding out a ground on the relay?

[@Typhlosion100]

CarPartsAreMoreImportanter basically yes. That way you don’t have to run two separate switches

[@modifiedG54B]

@@Typhlosion100 ok thanks for the reply. I did this on my 1991 toyota mr2. But I did it a little different. I simply spliced in between the switch on the radiator . Leaving it hooked up so it'll still kick on automatically but it gave me control

[@FranciscoMartinez-of3gr]

@@modifiedG54B you mean connector ,right?? Please explain. There is no switches only relay, fuses , and connectors, right ? Am I wrong?

[@geolopez914]

So there is no positive connection? You just ground the toggle switch twice?

[@domesticatedwolverine4152]

The way system works is by closing the ground circuit. Positive is already connected.

[@geolopez914]

mario sarabia Mabey you can teach me like I’m 5 cause I tried this and it didn’t work! And I want to be able to turn my fan on when ever I want manually!

[@cmendez1588]

I need another way to do it on my 05 Magnum can you assist me please bro

[@syedadil6964]

THANK ❤🌹 SOOOOOOO MUCH BROTHER. THIS VIDEO IS OSOOOOM. ALL DONE NICELY. ONE AGAIN THANKS. MAY THE GOD GIVE U EVERY THING U WANT IN YOUR LIFE. AND EVERY THING FOR UR FAMILY. AND REMBER ME ALSO IN UR PRAYERS. AND I WILL LAST BEFORE I BREATH AND WHEN EVER I PULL THE TOGGLE SWITCH OF MY CAR U WILL BE REMBERD IN MY HEART❤💕 AND PRAYERS FOR U. AMEN. AMEN. AMEN. AMEN 🙏. REGARDS:- ADIL.

[@richardslaiter3030]

Fantastic thanks.