What is this part?
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 18
From: NJ
What is this part?
Hey guys, I just bought a 2001 cobra the other day and so far im pretty happy with it (ill post some pics up soon) got a question, i noticed by the top of the radiator some kind of sensor was kinda dangling there so i grabbed it and it basically fell apart in my hands. I dont know what it is and where i can get a new one. I think it has something to do with the a/c or cooling fan. Heres What it looks like
TECH SAVANT
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,937
From: Saint Augustine, FL
That is ballast resistor for low-speed cooling fan operation, and a thermal fuse to shut things down in the event the resistor overheats. It snaps into a recess/holder on the top left (as you are facing the car) of the fan shroud/frame.
Ford seems to consider it a part of the fan assembly as it is not shown separately in any source I have...
It's in the upper right of this photo, and is included with many after market replacement fan assemblies:
Ford seems to consider it a part of the fan assembly as it is not shown separately in any source I have...
It's in the upper right of this photo, and is included with many after market replacement fan assemblies:
Last edited by cliffyk; Apr 1, 2010 at 08:23 AM.
TECH SAVANT
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,937
From: Saint Augustine, FL
It would have to be silver-soldered (actually brazed) to withstand the heat, it doesn't look like there's much left of the terminals through.
Without it your fan will not run at low speed. In the stock tune the low speed fan comes on at 214°F ECT, the high speed kicks in at 228°F--so with out it or a change to the tune the fan won't run until 228°F.
You could wire the fan to run at high speed even when low speed is called for, just connect the red/orange and orange/light blue wires at the fan--be aware it will be quite loud.
As to whether you need it, Ford seemed to feel it sufficiently necessary to spend money on it--you decide. The part is used on many Ford models, you may be able to find a good one at a junk yard. Rock Auto has the whole fan assembly for $107, probably less than buying the resistor from Ford (if they list it).
Without it your fan will not run at low speed. In the stock tune the low speed fan comes on at 214°F ECT, the high speed kicks in at 228°F--so with out it or a change to the tune the fan won't run until 228°F.
You could wire the fan to run at high speed even when low speed is called for, just connect the red/orange and orange/light blue wires at the fan--be aware it will be quite loud.
As to whether you need it, Ford seemed to feel it sufficiently necessary to spend money on it--you decide. The part is used on many Ford models, you may be able to find a good one at a junk yard. Rock Auto has the whole fan assembly for $107, probably less than buying the resistor from Ford (if they list it).
1st Gear Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 64
From: pa.
cooling fan ballast resistor
hey guys,the cooling fan low speed ballast resistor fell apart,
would it be best to unplug it,and also pull the 30 amp auxilary fuse?
i found a new part on ebay,but wont be hear for a week.i thought
that i should pull the auxilary fuse in the mean time,thanks guys
would it be best to unplug it,and also pull the 30 amp auxilary fuse?
i found a new part on ebay,but wont be hear for a week.i thought
that i should pull the auxilary fuse in the mean time,thanks guys
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