Suggested Electric Fan Wiring Diagrams

These diagrams show the use of relays, ON/OFF sensors, ON/OFF switches and ON/OFF fan controllers. Nothing here
should be confused with the latest generation of PWM VARIABLE SPEED CONTROLLERS, which have much higher
technology, such as a soft start feature and smooth ramping, but not necessarily better durability.

Suggested Primary Cooling Fan - Single Speed (ON/OFF)

Using Ground Switching Devices Only for Primary Activation. A Ground Switched Device is one that
provides a grounded output upon activation instead of a voltage output.
Updated: 08/28/16

SIGNAL CIRCUIT POWER SOURCE SHOULD BE

12V SWITCHED BATTERY OR JUNCTION OR OPTIONAL
BLOCK NEAR BATTERY ADJUSTABLE FAN
(IGNITION OR FUSE PANEL) 30 AMP
Power “ON” when key is in the FUSE SWITCH WITH
“RUN” position. RADIATOR PROBE
BATTERY TEMP SENSOR (GROUND
SWITCH SWITCHING, NON-
5 AMP IN RADIATOR VARIABLE SPEED
FUSE COOLANT ONLY)
86
1ST RELAY
TURNS ON FAN
WHEN TEMP
30 87 SENSOR IS
ACTIVATED
85

HAYDEN
FAN 3653
OPTIONAL DIODE PN: IN5408
Make sure the diode band is facing
toward the fan or relay and away
from ground. Protects relay from
arcing damage due to fan spinning
RECOMMENDED WIRE SIZES: after shut-off.
8-10 GA: FAN POWER AND
GROUND.
16-18 GA: ALL OTHERS.
86
Optional
OPTIONAL 2ND RELAY override switch
Mini Relay Connections
OVERRIDES TEMP turns on fan,
View from Bottom SENSOR AND TURNS 30 87 by-passing
SPST type has 87b ON FAN WHEN A/C IS temp sensor
TURNED ON 85 and A/C relay.
86

87 STANDARD RELAY PINS 12V SWITCHED WIRE TO GREEN

30
30: Constant 12V, unswitched WIRE AT A/C CLUTCH.
85: Signal (switched 12V) NOTE: OR IN AN ’84 TO ‘89 240 YOU
87b 86: Ground (completes circuit) MAY USE THE A/C POWER ‘ON’
87: Consumer (fan) 12V + WIRE: RED/WHITE WIRE AT AC
85 87b: Extra consumer (same as 87) SWITCH MICROSWITCH IN DASH.

SPST vs SPDT Relays. What’s the difference?

Single Pole, Single Throw (SPST): This relay will be identified as having a middle 87b spade (or no middle spade at all). This is the
most common relay used for fog lights or other simple circuits. If there is a middle 87b pin, it will have power whenever there is power
to the 87 (whenever relay is “activated”). This way the middle 87b pin may be used as an extra power output.

Single Pole, Double Throw (SPDT): If you have a relay with an 87a pin in the middle spot, it is a SPDT relay, sometimes called a
"changeover relay." This type of relay will work for this application also, but you will not use pin 87a. In a changeover relay, the 87a
pin will be “HOT” anytime the 87 pin is "OFF," so long as power is connected to pin 30.

Thanks go to Bob Wilson (volvodad on Brickboard) for contributing to these differences.

PAGE 1
 Suggested Electric Fan Wiring Diagrams
These diagrams show the use of relays, ON/OFF sensors, ON/OFF switches and ON/OFF fan controllers. Nothing here
should be confused with the latest generation of PWM VARIABLE SPEED CONTROLLERS, which have much higher
technology, such as a soft start feature and smooth ramping, but not necessarily better durability.

Suggested Primary Cooling Fan - Single Speed (ON/OFF)

Using 12 Volt Switching Devices Only for Primary Activation
NOTE: Most stand-alone adjustable thermostats (i.e.: Hayden, Flex-a-Lite or Perma-Cool brands) can provide a 12 volt
output when activated. Relays shown in these diagrams can provide options for useful features such as an AC override
ON and/or manual override ON.

12V SWITCHED WIRE TO

GREEN WIRE AT OPTIONAL 2ND RELAY
A/C CLUTCH. OVERRIDES TEMP SWITCH
NOTE: OR IN AN ’84 TO ‘89 AND TURNS ON FAN
240 YOU MAY USE THE A/C WHEN A/C IS TURNED ON POWER SOURCE SHOULD BE RECOMMENDED WIRE SIZES:
POWER ‘ON’ WIRE: BATTERY OR JUNCTION
8-10 GA: FAN POWER AND
RED/WHITE WIRE AT AC BLOCK NEAR BATTERY
GROUND.
SWITCH MICROSWITCH IN 85 16-18 GA: ALL OTHERS.
30 AMP
DASH.
FUSE
87 30
BATTERY

86
FAN
Optional override switch
turns on fan, by-passing 86
temp sensor and A/C relay. 1ST RELAY
TURNS ON FAN
WHEN TEMP
30 87 SWITCH IS
ACTIVATED
85

SIGNAL CIRCUIT
12V SWITCHED 5 AMP
+ + ADJUSTABLE FAN
FUSE
(IGNITION OR FUSE PANEL) SWITCH/THERMOSTAT OPTIONAL DIODE
Power “ON” when key is in the WITH RADIATOR PN: IN5408
“RUN” position. PROBE Make sure the diode
(12V SWITCHING, HAYDEN band is facing toward
NON-VARIABLE SPEED the fan or relay and
ONLY) 3653 away from ground.
Mini Relay Connections Protects relay from
View from Bottom arcing damage due to
SPST type has 87b fan spinning after shut-
off.
86

STANDARD RELAY PINS

30: Constant 12V, unswitched
30 87
85: Signal (switched 12V)
86: Ground (completes circuit)
87: Consumer (fan) 12V +
87b 87b: Extra consumer (same as 87)
85

SPST vs SPDT Relays. What’s the difference?

Single Pole, Single Throw (SPST): This relay will be identified as having a middle 87b spade (or no middle spade at all). This is the
most common relay used for fog lights or other simple circuits. If there is a middle 87b pin, it will have power whenever there is power
to the 87 (whenever relay is “activated”). This way the middle 87b pin may be used as an extra power output.

Single Pole, Double Throw (SPDT): If you have a relay with an 87a pin in the middle spot, it is a SPDT relay, sometimes called a
"changeover relay." This type of relay will work for this application also, but you will not use pin 87a. In a changeover relay, the 87a
pin will be “HOT” anytime the 87 pin is "OFF," so long as power is connected to pin 30.

Thanks go to Bob Wilson (volvodad on Brickboard) for contributing to these differences.

PAGE 2
 Suggested Electric Fan Wiring Diagrams
These diagrams show the use of relays, ON/OFF sensors, ON/OFF switches and ON/OFF fan controllers. Nothing here
should be confused with the latest generation of PWM VARIABLE SPEED CONTROLLERS, which have much higher
technology, such as a soft start feature and smooth ramping, but not necessarily better durability.

Converting a 12 Volt Switch into a Ground Switch

If you have an adjustable thermostat that uses 12 VOLT SWITCHING ONLY, such as the popular Hayden or Flex-
a-Lite brand thermostats with built-in relays, you may normally only use it with a diagram use it with any
diagram showing a need for a 12 VOLT SWITCHED DEVICE. if you follow these steps you may convert it to a
GROUND SWITCHED DEVICE using a simple SPST relay.

THIS WILL BE YOUR NEW

GROUND SWITCHED OUTPUT. 86
IT MAY BE USED AS A GROUND
SWITCHED DEVICE FOR ANY
DIAGRAM NEEDING ONE. 30 87
85

SIGNAL CIRCUIT
12V SWITCHED 5 AMP + +
FUSE
(IGNITION OR FUSE ADJUSTABLE FAN SWITCH/THERMOSTAT WITH BUILT-IN
PANEL) RELAY AND RADIATOR PROBE
Power “ON” when key is in (12V SWITCHING, NON-VARIABLE SPEED ONLY)
the “RUN” position.

HAYDEN 3647

Mini Relay Connections RECOMMENDED WIRE SIZES:

View from Bottom 8-10 GA: FAN POWER AND
SPST type has 87b GROUND.
16-18 GA: ALL OTHERS.
86

STANDARD RELAY PINS

30 87 30: Constant 12V, unswitched
85: Signal (switched 12V)
86: Ground (completes circuit)
87b 87: Consumer (fan) 12V +
85 87b: Extra consumer (same as 87)

SPST vs SPDT Relays. What’s the difference?

Single Pole, Single Throw (SPST): This relay will be identified as having a middle 87b spade (or no middle spade at all). This is the
most common relay used for fog lights or other simple circuits. If there is a middle 87b pin, it will have power whenever there is power
to the 87 (whenever relay is “activated”). This way the middle 87b pin may be used as an extra power output.

Single Pole, Double Throw (SPDT): If you have a relay with an 87a pin in the middle spot, it is a SPDT relay, sometimes called a
"changeover relay." This type of relay will work for this application also, but you will not use pin 87a. In a changeover relay, the 87a
pin will be “HOT” anytime the 87 pin is "OFF," so long as power is connected to pin 30.

Thanks go to Bob Wilson (volvodad on Brickboard) for contributing to these differences.

PAGE 3
 PRIMARY COOLING FAN
DUAL FANS (with Dual Relays) - SINGLE SPEED (ON/OFF)
Using Ground Switched Devices Only for Primary Activation
Using dual relays for two fans is not required. You could use one relay. However two relays will divide the
load. And if a relay fails, you will still have one fan running.

POWER SOURCE SHOULD BE

SIGNAL BATTERY OR JUNCTION
12V SWITCHED BLOCK NEAR BATTERY
(FUSE PANEL) 30-40 AMP 30-40 AMP
Power “ON” when FUSE FUSE OR OPTIONAL
TEMP SENSOR ADJUSTABLE FAN SWITCH
key is in the SWITCH
BATTERY WITH RADIATOR PROBE
“RUN” position IN HOTTEST (GROUND SWITCHING,
PART OF NON-VARIABLE SPEED
RADIATOR ONLY)
86
MAIN RELAYS
5 AMP TURN ON FANS
FUSE WHEN TEMP
30 87 SENSOR IS
ACTIVATED
85

86 OPTIONAL RELAY 86 HAYDEN

OVERRIDES TEMP 3653
SENSOR AND
TURNS ON FANS
30 87 WHEN A/C IS 30 87
TURNED ON
85 85

FAN 1 12V SWITCHED WIRE.

MAY BE GREEN WIRE
AT A/C CLUTCH.
NOTE: OR IN AN ’84
TO ‘89 240 YOU MAY
FAN 2 USE THE A/C POWER
‘ON’ WIRE: RED/WHITE
WIRE AT AC SWITCH
MICROSWITCH IN
OPTIONAL DIODES DASH.
PN: IN5408
Make sure the diode band
is facing toward the fan or
relay and away from
Mini Relay Connections ground. Protects relay
View from Bottom RECOMMENDED WIRE SIZES:
from arcing damage due to
SPST type has 87b fan spinning after shut-off. 8-10 GA: FAN POWER AND
GROUND.
Optional override switch 16-18 GA: ALL OTHERS.
86 turns on fan, by-passing
temp sensor and A/C relay.

30 87

87b
85

STANDARD RELAY PINS

30: Constant 12V, unswitched
85: Signal (switched 12V)
86: Ground (completes circuit)
87: Consumer (fan) 12V +
87b: Extra consumer (same as 87)

PAGE 4
 PRIMARY COOLING FAN
DUAL FANS (with Dual Relays) - SINGLE SPEED (ON/OFF)
Using 12 Volt Switched Devices Only for Primary Activation
Using dual relays for two fans is not required. You could use one relay. However two relays will divide the
load and if a relay fails, you will still have one fan running.

12V SWITCHED WIRE OPTIONAL AC RELAY

TO GREEN WIRE AT OVERRIDES TEMP SWITCH
A/C CLUTCH. AND TURNS ON FANS
WHEN A/C IS
NOTE: OR IN AN ’84 TURNED ON
TO ‘89 240 YOU MAY POWER SOURCE SHOULD BE
USE THE A/C POWER BATTERY OR JUNCTION
‘ON’ WIRE: BLOCK NEAR BATTERY
OPTIONAL DIODE
RED/WHITE WIRE AT 85 PN: IN5408
AC SWITCH 30-40 AMP Make sure the diode band is
MICROSWITCH IN 87 30 FUSE facing toward the fan or
DASH. relay and away from
30-40 AMP BATTERY ground. Protects relay from
FUSE
arcing damage due to fan
Optional override 86 spinning after shut-off.
switch turns on fans,
by-passing temp 86
sensor and A/C relay.

30 87
85
MAIN RELAYS
SIGNAL CIRCUIT TURN ON FANS
12V SWITCHED 5 AMP FAN 1
FUSE
+ + WHEN TEMP
(IGNITION OR FUSE SWITCH IS
PANEL) ACTIVATED
Power “ON” when key is in
the “RUN” position.

86
ADJUSTABLE FAN
SWITCH/THERMOSTAT FAN 2
WITH RADIATOR 30 87
PROBE
(12V SWITCHING,
NON-VARIABLE SPEED
85
ONLY)

OPTIONAL DIODE
PN: IN5408 Mini Relay Connections
HAYDEN Make sure the diode View from Bottom
band is facing toward SPST type has 87b
3653 the fan and away from
ground. Protects relay
from arcing damage due 86
to fan spinning after
shut-off.

30 87

87b
85

STANDARD RELAY PINS

30: Constant 12V, unswitched
85: Signal (switched 12V)
86: Ground (completes circuit)
87: Consumer (fan) 12V +
87b: Extra consumer (same as 87)
PAGE 5
 SINGLE A/C FAN ONLY - Single Speed (ON/OFF)
Adding a Pusher Fan for A/C Condenser

This diagram works well if you only wish to add a single fan to the front
of your A/C condenser. It will not come on at a particular temperature,
but only when the A/C is turned on.

POWER SOURCE SHOULD BE

BATTERY OR JUNCTION
30-40 AMP BLOCK NEAR BATTERY
FUSE

BATTERY
86

RECOMMENDED WIRE SIZES: 30 87 Mini Relay Connections

8-10 GA: FAN POWER AND View from Bottom
GROUND. 85 SPST type has 87b
16-18 GA: ALL OTHERS.

86
5 AMP
FUSE

AC 30 87

12V SWITCHED WIRE TO GREEN WIRE AT A/C FAN

CLUTCH. 87b
NOTE: OR IN AN ’84 TO ’89 240 YOU MAY USE THE
A/C CONSTANT ‘ON’ WIRE: RED/WHITE WIRE AT AC 85
MICROSWITCH IN DASH.
THIS PERMITS THE FAN TO RUN CONSTANT
ANYTIME THE A/C SWITCH IS IN THE “ON” STANDARD RELAY PINS
POSITION. 30: Constant 12V, unswitched
(I.E.: FAN WILL NOT CYCLE ON/OFF WHEN 85: Signal (switched 12V)
COMPRESSOR DOES). 86: Ground (completes circuit)
87: Consumer (fan) 12V +
87b: Extra consumer (same as 87)

OPTIONAL DIODE
PN: IN5408
Make sure the diode
band is facing toward
the fan and away from
ground. Protects relay
from arcing damage due
to fan spinning after
shut-off.

PAGE 6
 Primary Cooling Fan - Two Speed Type (ON/OFF)
Using Ground Switched Devices Only for Primary Activation

SIGNAL CIRCUIT POWER SOURCE SHOULD BE HIGH RANGE TEMP SENSOR

12V SWITCHED BATTERY OR JUNCTION SET FOR 200 DEG F OR HIGHER
(IGNITION OR FUSE BLOCK NEAR BATTERY
PANEL) OR OPTIONAL ADJUSTABLE FAN
Power “ON” when key is TEMP SENSOR SWITCH WITH RADIATOR PROBE
in the “RUN” position. SWITCH (GROUND SWITCHING,
40-50 AMP IN RADIATOR NON-VARIABLE SPEED)
BATTERY FUSE

5 AMP
FUSE

OPTIONAL 12V SWITCHED WIRE

RELAY #3 86 TO GREEN WIRE AT
OVERRIDES A/C CLUTCH. LOW RANGE TEMP SENSOR
TEMP SENSOR NOTE: OR IN AN ’84 TO SET FOR 180 to 190 DEG F
AND TURN FAN 30 87 ‘89 240 YOU MAY USE
ON HIGH SPEED THE A/C POWER ‘ON’
WIRE: OR OPTIONAL ADJUSTABLE FAN
WHEN A/C IS 85 TEMP SENSOR SWITCH WITH RADIATOR PROBE
RED/WHITE WIRE AT AC
TURNED ON SWITCH MICROSWITCH SWITCH (GROUND SWITCHING,
IN DASH. IN RADIATOR NON-VARIABLE SPEED)

RELAY #1:
HIGH SPEED
50A to 80A RELAY #2:
CHANGEOVER LOW SPEED
SPDT TYPE SPST 30A

86 86

HAYDEN
87a
30 87 30 87 3653

85 85

Optional
RECOMMENDED WIRE SIZES: override
switch turns
HIGH SPEED 10-12 GA: FAN POWER AND
GROUND. on fan to
16-18 GA: ALL OTHERS. HIGH SPEED,
by-passing
2SP temp sensor.
FAN
LOW SPEED

OPTIONAL DIODES PN: IN5408 Relay Connections

Make sure the diode band is facing
toward the fan or relay and away View from Bottom
from ground. Protects relay from SPST type has 87b
arcing damage due to fan spinning SPDT type has 87a
after shut-off.
86
TWO SPEED FAN CIRCUITRY SIMPLIFIED
This is not as confusing as it looks. A two-speed fan may be used as long as you use TWO relays
and TWO temperature sensors set for different set points. 30 87

The fan will remain off until your low temp set point is reached, activating the low speed relay
through 87a on the high speed changeover relay. If your temperature climbs higher, the second 87b
sensor high set point will activate the changeover relay, cutting power to 87a and sending power or
85
through 87 to the high speed fan. This way you can be sure only one circuit will be on at a time. 87a
The high speed relay capacity will depend on the fan. Most 16 inch or smaller fans can get by with
a 40A to 50A relay for the high speed. A larger fan, such as the 18 inch Ford Taurus/T-Bird/ STANDARD RELAY PINS
Lincoln Mk VIII fans, should use a 70A or 80A relay. These fans generally use ~40 amps on high, 30: Constant 12V, unswitched
so power and ground cables for these big fans should be 8-10 GA. 85: Signal (switched 12V)
86: Ground (completes circuit)
Simple mechanical radiator coolant sensors may be used as long as they are set for different 87: Consumer (fan) 12V +
temperature ranges. Or simple electric adjustable sensors, such as the Hayden 3653 pictured 87b: Extra consumer (same as 87)
above right, can be purchased from Amazon or Summit Racing for about $20 each. 87a: Opposite of 87 (changeover)

PAGE 7
 Primary Cooling Fan - Two Speed Type (ON/OFF)
Using 12 Volt Switching Devices Only for Primary Activation

SIGNAL CIRCUIT POWER SOURCE SHOULD BE RECOMMENDED WIRE SIZES:

12V SWITCHED BATTERY OR JUNCTION 8-10 GA: FAN POWER AND
(IGNITION OR FUSE BLOCK NEAR BATTERY GROUND.
PANEL) 16-18 GA: ALL OTHERS.
Power “ON” when key is
Optional override
in the “RUN” position. 40-50 AMP
switch turns on OPTIONAL
fan to high speed, BATTERY FUSE
RELAY #3
by-passing temp 5 AMP OVERRIDES
sensor. FUSE TEMP SENSOR
AND TURN FAN
ON HIGH SPEED
WHEN A/C IS
86 TURNED ON
HIGH RANGE THERMOSTAT
SET FOR 200 DEG F OR HIGHER 12V SWITCHED WIRE
30 87 TO GREEN WIRE AT
12V SWITCHING,

+
A/C CLUTCH.
NON-VARIABLE SPEED ONLY 85 NOTE: OR IN AN ’84 TO
+ ‘89 240 YOU MAY USE
THE A/C POWER ‘ON’
WIRE:
RELAY #1: RED/WHITE WIRE AT AC
HIGH SPEED SWITCH MICROSWITCH
50A to 80A IN DASH.
CHANGEOVER LOW RANGE THERMOSTAT 86
SPDT TYPE SET FOR 180 to 190 DEG F

+
12V SWITCHING,
86 NON-VARIABLE SPEED ONLY + 30 87 RELAY #2:
LOW SPEED
85 SPST 30A
87a
30 87
85 HIGH SPEED
LOW SPEED
2SP
FAN
Relay Connections
View from Bottom
SPST type has 87b OPTIONAL DIODES PN: IN5408
SPDT type has 87a Make sure the diode band is facing
toward the fan or relay and away
86 from ground. Protects relay from
arcing damage due to fan spinning
after shut-off.
+
30 87 STANDARD RELAY PINS
+

30: Constant 12V, unswitched

85: Signal (switched 12V)
86: Ground (completes circuit)
87b 87: Consumer (fan) 12V +
or 87b: Extra consumer (same as 87)
85
87a 87a: Opposite of 87 (changeover)

TWO SPEED FAN CIRCUITRY SIMPLIFIED HAYDEN

This is not as confusing as it looks. A two-speed fan may be used as long as you use TWO relays 3653
and TWO temperature sensors set for different set points.
The fan will remain off until your low temp set point is reached, activating the low speed relay
through 87a on the high speed changeover relay. If your temperature climbs higher, the second
sensor high set point will activate the changeover relay, cutting power to 87a and sending power
through 87 to the high speed fan. This way you can be sure only one circuit will be on at a time.
The high speed relay capacity will depend on the fan. Most 16 inch or smaller fans can get by with
a 40A to 50A relay for the high speed. A larger fan, such as the 18 inch Ford Taurus/T-Bird/
Lincoln Mk VIII fans, should use a 70A or 80A relay. These fans generally use ~40 amps on high,
so power and ground cables for these big fans should be 8-10 GA.
Simple mechanical radiator coolant sensors may be used as long as they are set for different
temperature ranges. Or simple electric adjustable sensors, such as the Hayden 3653 pictured
above right, can be purchased from Amazon or Summit Racing for about $20 each.

PAGE 8