Two weeks ago the family and I are motoring out to visit relatives and get stuck in SOCAL trafffic. After an 80mph run, we are suddenly stopped, and the temp gauge starts rising!

I pull over and shut down. The recovery bottle is gurgling so I let it cool down and begin to contemplate the issue. The Hayden fan siezed up and would not turn, burning some wiring in the process. Not going to fix this one on the side of the freeway.

So...I disconnect the conector the the AC compressor, slam the hood, start the engine, turn on the AC and motor on! This causes the condensor fan to turn on constantly, causing air to flow over at least half of the radiator!

It worked! I actually drove the thing for two weeks until my replacement Taurus fan shipped in. The only problem I had was climbing a grade at low speeds. It ran great around town in stop and go traffic, and would not overheat at idle. Air temps were in the 80's at the time.

I also used this technique last summer in the 113 degree hot spell for additional air flow. Obviously you get no AC, but you get home!

 

Good idea, I wish the pickups had them. Maybe I should try to find one and install it.

 

ive been contenplateing installing one on my pickup.... i could use the extra cooling power and my AC might actually blow cold air when i was sitting still....

 

I have my condensor fan wired into my Hayden fan controller.

That way if the rad gets too hot it will kick in.

 

There is also an adjustment with the AC system to keep it on at idle. I think it's up behind the glove box. You can adjust it so it stays on at low rpms. Mine was set down to the limit by the AC shop that did my service and it cools nice at idle now.