DiF Fan Contoller

[lonelydrifter]

Got this fan contoller hooked up per FRSports guide. The controller has an emergency switch built in that I can test the fans with. When the key is in accessory position the switch works. But once the car is turned on and running the switch no longer turns on the fans and the fans never come on.

How does the factory temp sensor work? Anyone ever install this controller?

[g6civcx]

I assume you followed this: http://www.frsport.com/DIF-Dual-Fan-Controller-Install-on-S13-S14-240SX_t_22.html

Check the red +12V wire in that guide. It should go straight to the battery positive terminal with a 30A fuse in between the battery and the controller, preferably as close to the battery as possible.

The switch should work the fan regardless of ignition switch position if you followed the FR writeup.

[fliprayzin240sx]

Got this fan contoller hooked up per FRSports guide. The controller has an emergency switch built in that I can test the fans with. When the key is in accessory position the switch works. But once the car is turned on and running the switch no longer turns on the fans and the fans never come on.

How does the factory temp sensor work? Anyone ever install this controller?

Hmm, looking at their wiring setup, it shouldnt matter if the car is in accessory or on. The power is getting tapped directly from the battery. I dont see the wiring being fucked up tho, its a simple power and ground power setup. If it turns on, then the wiring is good.

I dont have this nor do I know anybody who does, from what Im reading is that the over-ride switch should work even when the car is running. The switch basically by passes whatever temp the controller is set to and should turn the fans on regardless of the actual temp of the car. Sounds to me that you have a malfunctioning controller...:-/

[Mister.E]

Hmm, looking at their wiring setup, it shouldnt matter if the car is in accessory or on. The power is getting tapped directly from the battery. I dont see the wiring being fucked up tho, its a simple power and ground power setup. If it turns on, then the wiring is good.

I dont have this nor do I know anybody who does, from what Im reading is that the over-ride switch should work even when the car is running. The switch basically by passes whatever temp the controller is set to and should turn the fans on regardless of the actual temp of the car. Sounds to me that you have a malfunctioning controller...:-/

i have to agree. the fans turning on is completely controlled by what temperature the coolant in the car is running at. what do you have your temp knobs on the controller set to? if it wont kick on even at the lowest temp setting or with the switch, i would say to double check your wiring and make sure that there arent any loose connections anywhere. if everything seems to be good then you may have a bad controller.

what type of fans are you trying to run if you dont mind me asking? the controller says that it can supply up to 15amps per fan...you dont have any high current drawing fans do you?

[g6civcx]

I dont have this nor do I know anybody who does, from what Im reading is that the over-ride switch should work even when the car is running. The switch basically by passes whatever temp the controller is set to and should turn the fans on regardless of the actual temp of the car. Sounds to me that you have a malfunctioning controller...:-/

That's exactly what I think it is. Either something is wrong with the power wire or the controller itself is fried. That switch should turn on the fans regardless of the ignition switch position.

[khilgers]

I wired mine exactly the same as the guide. The only thing I did differently was instead of tapping into the CTS in the engine bay I found the 2 wires at the ECU and wired them inside the car. It made for a much cleaner install and I was able to hide the controller box inside the car. My manual switch works on accessory and when the car is running. Double check all of your wiring to make sure you have it just like the guide.

[g6civcx]

I wired mine exactly the same as the guide. The only thing I did differently was instead of tapping into the CTS in the engine bay I found the 2 wires at the ECU and wired them inside the car. It made for a much cleaner install and I was able to hide the controller box inside the car. My manual switch works on accessory and when the car is running. Double check all of your wiring to make sure you have it just like the guide.

My only comment to that is you get a slightly more accurate reading if you tapped the wires as close to the sensor as possible due to reistance in the wires, but the difference is so minute that it's not noticeable.

Good work.

[lonelydrifter]

I have everything wired up like the guide says. The black override switch does not work once the car is totally on, only in accessory position. I will contact DiF and see what they have to say about it. I have all the grounds wired to the negaitve battery terminal. Could this be a problem?

[lonelydrifter]

Also I am running Stanza Fans. wired for only high speed.

[Mister.E]

Also I am running Stanza Fans. wired for only high speed.

lookup the power ratings and get back to us. that might be part of your problem. like i said, the controller only allows for 15amps per fan

[lonelydrifter]

So what you are saying is that if the fans draw too much amperage then the contoller won't be able to turn the on? Wouldn't the fuse blow?

Doing a quick search I can't find the amp ratings. I would assume they are the same as Altima Fans. How would I use a multimeter to determine amperage draw? Right now I operate fans by bypassing controller and going straight to battery. Should I go between power wire on a fan and ground to chassis to read amps on multimeter?

[Mister.E]

So what you are saying is that if the fans draw too much amperage then the contoller won't be able to turn the on? Wouldn't the fuse blow?

Doing a quick search I can't find the amp ratings. I would assume they are the same as Altima Fans. How would I use a multimeter to determine amperage draw? Right now I operate fans by bypassing controller and going straight to battery. Should I go between power wire on a fan and ground to chassis to read amps on multimeter?

do not do that! you need an ammeter to measure amperage. i watched a guy try to measure amperage of something with a multimeter and the current was too high, totally fuckin fried the multimeter.

as far as the controller goes....i dont own one so i cant tell you exactly what it will do, but the ad for the controller says that it can supply 15amps to each fan. im assuming if you overpowered it, the fans more than likely wont work. i recall you saying that you had them wired for high speed operation, is there anyway you can wire them for low speed operation? it would probably draw less current and if it works that very well may narrow down your problem.

[lonelydrifter]

You are correct sr. I didn't look at my multimeter but ow that I have it only goes to 200mA so that won't work at all.

But here is the thing. When in accessory position on the key I can use the manual switch off the controller. The fans power on as long as the wires are touching. But once the car kicks on the switch is disabled. Almost like the controller just shuts down?

[IStop4NoMan]

I have a Dif controller also. no matter what changes i made to the wiring, it never worked consistently.

First i tried using 2 30 amp relays for the FAL dual fans. they would work for a little bit, but it drained my battery so badly, the voltage would drop to 12v and the fans would shut off.

then i got a bigger battery, which kept the volatge up, but the fans would still not turn on.

the remote switch seemed to work when the car was first started up, but after running for a few minutes, didnt work.

i tried hooking up the fans dirrectly to the controller, that didnt help at all

i finally gave up, went back to the stock fan and now my temp doesnt go over 150 degrees on the outlet. that crap works! haha

[lonelydrifter]

Dammit, this thing should work!!!

I currently do not have a relay wired. If the contoller only supplies 15amps what would happen when the fans tried to kick on if they need over 20amps on high speed? Would they spin slowly or just not come on at all? Or would this fry the control unit?

[Mister.E]

i would hope that they just wouldnt turn on...you would think that the controller has some sort of overdraw protection. like i said, though, i dont own it so i dont know. hopefully it doesnt fry the controller.

[IStop4NoMan]

mine would spin slowly sometimes, if they spun at all. sometimes they would power up real fast, and then stop just as quickly. sounds like too many amps on the dif controller.

[DJButton]

That's so odd, I have the DiF controller, have it wired up just as they say to, no remote switch just temp controlled have the temp down to 150 on both fans (Altima fans) and have the fans grounded on the chassis and controller power and ground right on the battery. (not that it should make a difference) but the controller has always worked great for me. I'd yank the switch out if you have one and just try and run it temperature controlled.

[FRpilot]

are you sure you aren't tapping the 12v power from some unknown power source like accessory wire for radio.. i would try to wire it directly to the battery 12v with a fuse like some people have suggested and also hook it up on the low speed setting. 2 low speed fans on at the same time should be fine, i dont think you need the high speed setting. try it to see if it works tht way.

[lonelydrifter]

Well I live in Florida and it being kind of cool out now my Car idles in traffic at about 195 degrees F according to my water temp gauge. This is with both fans on HIGH. I think I will continue the high speed.

I will try placing relays between and then see if the controller operates correctly, hope I didn't just fry the shit. Anyway the controller description says the manual switch is to "cool the engine between trck runs." Would this mean it would only operate when the car is off?

If so then that takes care of that riddle, and makes me think my contoller is still working and is just not allowing the fans to come on because the draw too much amperage. I would think the contoller would at least try to supply the full 15amps and then cutoff if it was proteting itself though. Which would mean the fans would turn on for a brief period. But what do I know I didn't make it I only bought a product expecting it to work...

[lonelydrifter]

That's so odd, I have the DiF controller, have it wired up just as they say to, no remote switch just temp controlled have the temp down to 150 on both fans (Altima fans) and have the fans grounded on the chassis and controller power and ground right on the battery. (not that it should make a difference) but the controller has always worked great for me. I'd yank the switch out if you have one and just try and run it temperature controlled.

This is exactly what I want to do but even at the controllers lowest setting the fans do not power on.

[Mister.E]

Well I live in Florida and it being kind of cool out now my Car idles in traffic at about 195 degrees F according to my water temp gauge. This is with both fans on HIGH. I think I will continue the high speed.

I will try placing relays between and then see if the controller operates correctly, hope I didn't just fry the shit. Anyway the controller description says the manual switch is to "cool the engine between trck runs." Would this mean it would only operate when the car is off?

If so then that takes care of that riddle, and makes me think my contoller is still working and is just not allowing the fans to come on because the draw too much amperage. I would think the contoller would at least try to supply the full 15amps and then cutoff if it was proteting itself though. Which would mean the fans would turn on for a brief period. But what do I know I didn't make it I only bought a product expecting it to work...

even though you live in a warmer climate i would at least try hooking them up on the low speed setting as a matter of troubleshooting. you may want to run them on high speed but obviously that doesnt seem like an option right now since it isnt working. for the sake of troubleshooting i would wire them for low speed and see where that leads you.

as far as the override switch goes...it should kick on even when the car is running. between track runs you are going to want your car to be on so that the coolant will pump through the block. if you turn the car off between track runs and run the fans two things are going to happen:

1. You will only be cooling the fluid that is in the radiator since the car is not on and pumping coolant through the block; this seems totally pointless to me.

2. You are going to drain the battery running the fans without the altenator and then you are going to need a jump start before heading out on the track again.