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  • #1

    switch in radiator

    on my 88 5-speed festiva in the bottom of the radiator, there is, what looks like a temperature switch. what does it do? does it go to, the gauge, or does it go to the computer.
    i noticed on a 1990 festiva, which is fuel injected , they do not have one.
    i was removing mine today to put in a new radiator, which will be here monday, and it broke off. it has two wires going to it , a black one and a green one. i would just like to know what this switch goes to and is it necessary seeing as the fuel injected ones do not have it.
    1960 willys pickup
    1967 jeep cj5

    1988 festiva
    1989 festiva
    1990 festiva for parts
    1991 s-10

    "Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote!" —Benjamin Franklin, 1759
    Tags: None
  • #2
    I have a 1991 automatic GL and the stock radiator didn't have this temp switch but the radiator i pulled from a JY automatic (don't know the year) did have the switch and wires. Right now those wires are just hanging as i don't have any place to plug them in.

    -"Hairlipstiva" 1991 GL 5spd (swapped from an auto), rolling on Enkei 14x6 +38 with 195/45/14 Toyo's, Jensen MP5720 CD deck, tach install, LED strip in cluster, down position rear wiper, FMS springs, Gabriel shocks on 4 corners, Acura Integra short shifter
    -Escort GT 91 donor car with BP, G5M-R tranny to be dropped in the little guy...
    -Aspire brake swap COMPLETE!
    https://www.wunderground.com/persona...?ID=KOKOWASS38

    Comment

    • #3
      The switch is to turn on/off the cooling fan on carburated models. No switch, fan runs continuous.

      Michael
      Have owned 9 so far
      White 89 L converted to LX "The Curmudgeon" Being a Curmudgeon right now.
      Blue 89 L converted to LX "Shtinky" FMS crate engine,cam,flywheel,hail dents
      Smurf Blue 90 LX "Smurffy" He Ran Away From Home!!!!!! Says Willie loves him more than I did!
      Red 88 L converted to LX "Rasta, Mon" Now retired
      Where did all these @#*&%$ Toyotas come from around here?

      Comment

      • #4
        THATS WHY MY 88 RAN SO DARN COLD!!!! Well, now I wish I didn't sell it. I could fix that......
        Going old school...

        89L Carby FIDO, previously owned by FestivaFred

        Comment

        • #5
          the fan works fine,comes on when temp gets hot enough and goes off when it cools. the sensor in the bottom of the radiator must do something else.
          1960 willys pickup
          1967 jeep cj5

          1988 festiva
          1989 festiva
          1990 festiva for parts
          1991 s-10

          "Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote!" —Benjamin Franklin, 1759

          Comment

          • #6
            the sensor is NOT for the fan switch, though i'm not sure what it's for either, (i'll have to look it up)
            Trees aren't kind to me...

            currently: 2 88Ls (Scrappy and Jersey), 88LX, 90L(Pepe), 91L, 91GL (Skippy) 93 GL Sport (the Mighty Favakk), 94 (Bruce) & 95 Aspire SEs, 97 Aspire (The Joker),
            94 Justy 4WD, 87 Fiero GT, plus 2 parts cars. That's my fleet.

            Comment

            • #7
              The EVTM identifies it as the radiator temp switch. Mine broke off on Shtinky, and now my fan runs with the ignition on. However, this brings up the other part of the puzzle from the other end.... I installed a crate engine from FMS in this car. The temp sender on the engine block (front) was too small diameter for the hole provided. I used a sender from a 1991 FI car in its place...... One other thing I can pass along about the radiator switch... on another car a guy had here, he replaced the radiator with a newer style without the provision for a switch. (no choice, all he could afford/find after a plastic tank cracked) The car ran rich, and the carb was generally screwed up until he found an 88&9 radiator to replace it with. I will have to go back now that you say that tommorow and check in the books again. I may have another issue to deal with too!

              Michael
              Have owned 9 so far
              White 89 L converted to LX "The Curmudgeon" Being a Curmudgeon right now.
              Blue 89 L converted to LX "Shtinky" FMS crate engine,cam,flywheel,hail dents
              Smurf Blue 90 LX "Smurffy" He Ran Away From Home!!!!!! Says Willie loves him more than I did!
              Red 88 L converted to LX "Rasta, Mon" Now retired
              Where did all these @#*&%$ Toyotas come from around here?

              Comment

              • #8
                I have this issue as well. I have an 89 L 4 speed. I bought the car and it needed a radiator. I put an auto rad in it from auto zone. no provision for the sensor. I ran a hose off one of the small metal pipes on the bottom to the sensor. I still think a direct replacement with a place for the sensor would be much better.
                1989 Ford Festiva rollin on 13s
                1991 Ford Festiva B6T in the works
                1994 Mazda RX7/LS1 ( 438/490 ) Mustang Dyno "The Heart Breaker"
                - 0 to 103 MPH in 660' / 136 MPH in 1320'
                2001 F250 4" lift on 35s
                2005 Subaru STi ( 471/448 )
                - 0 to 92 MPH in 660' / 120 MPH in 1320'

                Comment

                • #9
                  the automatic radiator i bought from rock auto is all metal, no plastic tanks and has a place for the sensor in the bottom tank. i guess i got lucky.
                  i went to o reiliys auto parts and they had a listing for the sensor. it is made out of plastic by borg warner. had to modify the connectors on the wire ends and plugged them in.one of the wires is a ground. the other goes to what ever.
                  car is still getting as good gas mileage as before.
                  i still would like to know what the sensor does and what it goes to.
                  1960 willys pickup
                  1967 jeep cj5

                  1988 festiva
                  1989 festiva
                  1990 festiva for parts
                  1991 s-10

                  "Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote!" —Benjamin Franklin, 1759

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    Sorry I haven't posted back on this earlier. The EVTM has this to add..... Radiator COOLANT TEMPERATURE SWITCH Detects radiator temperatures and signals the ECA when temperatures are above 62.6 deg F. The engine/emissions training manual states that the switch is a part of the MECS???? system. I am trying to find some time to find this info/will post when I find it.

                    Michael
                    Last edited by m715; 06-19-2008, 04:00 PM.
                    Have owned 9 so far
                    White 89 L converted to LX "The Curmudgeon" Being a Curmudgeon right now.
                    Blue 89 L converted to LX "Shtinky" FMS crate engine,cam,flywheel,hail dents
                    Smurf Blue 90 LX "Smurffy" He Ran Away From Home!!!!!! Says Willie loves him more than I did!
                    Red 88 L converted to LX "Rasta, Mon" Now retired
                    Where did all these @#*&%$ Toyotas come from around here?

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      OK, how's this for a mouth full...... MECS= Mazda Engine Control Systems...... The Radiator Coolant Temp switch acts as a componant of the EGR system. The EGR system is only "on" after this switch sends the signal that the coolant in the radiator has reached 62.6 deg, and the Pulse Air Injection system ( the reed valve componant on the side of the air cleaner assembly)comes alive at this reading also. It looks as though this would effect idle, and low to mid throttle operation in a negative way if not sending the proper signal by screwing up vaccum and air bleed through the ABCV valve as a result. Looks like there IS a reason for all that spaghettii under the hood! I had assumed that when I snapped off one of the leads on the switch when I installed the crate engine in Shtinky, that that was why the cooling fan runs continuously now. Looks like that is not the case after all. Now, it looks like I need to look elswhere for the solution to THAT inconvenience.............. or pretend I am running the A/C all the time.......and ignore it!

                      HTH

                      Michael
                      Have owned 9 so far
                      White 89 L converted to LX "The Curmudgeon" Being a Curmudgeon right now.
                      Blue 89 L converted to LX "Shtinky" FMS crate engine,cam,flywheel,hail dents
                      Smurf Blue 90 LX "Smurffy" He Ran Away From Home!!!!!! Says Willie loves him more than I did!
                      Red 88 L converted to LX "Rasta, Mon" Now retired
                      Where did all these @#*&%$ Toyotas come from around here?

                      Comment

                      • #12
                        Oh, the other lead runs to the ECA (computer) pin 1L.
                        Have owned 9 so far
                        White 89 L converted to LX "The Curmudgeon" Being a Curmudgeon right now.
                        Blue 89 L converted to LX "Shtinky" FMS crate engine,cam,flywheel,hail dents
                        Smurf Blue 90 LX "Smurffy" He Ran Away From Home!!!!!! Says Willie loves him more than I did!
                        Red 88 L converted to LX "Rasta, Mon" Now retired
                        Where did all these @#*&%$ Toyotas come from around here?

                        Comment

                        • #13
                          thanks for the info on that sensor and i agree that it seems that the engine would idle rough with the egr operating at a low idle at that temp.
                          on my cars, if i unplug the wire going to the sensor on the themostat housing my fan will run when ever the switch is on. have you checked this on your car to see if the wire is connected or maybe the sensor in the thermostat housing may be bad?
                          1960 willys pickup
                          1967 jeep cj5

                          1988 festiva
                          1989 festiva
                          1990 festiva for parts
                          1991 s-10

                          "Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote!" —Benjamin Franklin, 1759

                          Comment

                          • #14
                            It is connected. I will have to check to see if it is out of spec or what. Another item on the list.................. Thanks for the thought. With some divine intervention, maybe I can check that after the 4th.
                            Michael
                            Have owned 9 so far
                            White 89 L converted to LX "The Curmudgeon" Being a Curmudgeon right now.
                            Blue 89 L converted to LX "Shtinky" FMS crate engine,cam,flywheel,hail dents
                            Smurf Blue 90 LX "Smurffy" He Ran Away From Home!!!!!! Says Willie loves him more than I did!
                            Red 88 L converted to LX "Rasta, Mon" Now retired
                            Where did all these @#*&%$ Toyotas come from around here?

                            Comment

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