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Donald
Dodge Dakota
8/03/2001
00:59:33
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 Subject: Electric Fan Kit
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I have a 1987 dodge dakota. I've been told switching from the engine driven fan to an electric fan would give me 5 to 10 more H-Power.
Where can i get a fan kit? Are they easy to install? How much do they cost?
Thanks,
Donald
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Donald
Dodge Dakota
8/03/2001
01:02:55
| RE: Electric Fan Kit
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Message:
Also, what is the difference between a pusher and puller fan? I mean how do i know what my truck uses?
Donald
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Rascal
Dodge Dakota
8/03/2001
07:14:01
|  RE: Electric Fan Kit
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I just ordered a Perma-Cool fan from Summit for $88.95. It had the most cfms of air movement and the lowest amp draw that I found.
A puller fan simply pulls the air from the engine side of your radiator just like your clutch fan does now. A pusher fan is place on the front of the radiator and and pushes it through the radiator towards the engine. Pushers are usually used in addition to pullers if necessary, if the puller cannot handle the job alone.
Installation is pretty easy. The fan mounts with some tie-wrap type straps, simple, and the electic hookups are pretty straight forward. I would buy an Imperial adjustable thermostat control so you can set it just where you want it. I bought my controller locally, about $20. You have to put the bulb sensor in the radiator hose or radiator to get make the thermostat work properly. Takes about 1-2 hours total time usually. You will notice an immediate difference in your engine with the heavy clutch fan gone and you will reduce the wear on your water pump.
Good luck
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4X4Tony
Dodge Dakota
8/03/2001
08:30:40
|  RE: Electric Fan Kit
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I installed a Black Magic (also from Summit). Built stout, easy to install, moves tons of air and has the thermostat and relays moulded into the shroud. Also installed a 180* T-Stat.
No problems staying cool in 95* Detroit stop and stop traffic with the A/C on.
An electric fan is the best single thing you can do for a Dak (if for no other reason than to stop that stupid roaring when you start it up cold).
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Rascal
Dodge Dakota
8/03/2001
09:07:26
| RE: Electric Fan Kit
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Tony, I was about to buy the Black magic but then found the Perma-Cool..it moves more air, uses less amps and is $100 cheaper..that is why I went to it..
yeah, I agree on the stupid roaring at startup
98 2wd 5.2 auto CC SLT
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Donald
Dodge Dakota
8/03/2001
11:38:57
|  RE: Electric Fan Kit
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Hey, thanks you all!
One more question... Why is a thermastat needed on the fan? the truck has a thermastat does it?
I'm new at this. I hope that isn't a stupid questions.
Thanks!
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4X4Tony
Dodge Dakota
8/03/2001
13:19:29
| RE: Electric Fan Kit
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You need an electrical thermostat to turn the fan on and off (running it all the time would defeat the purpose of having it - since you'd just be replacing drag from the old mechanical fan for drag from the alternator to run the electric). Adjustable is best, so that you can fine tune it to best keep your Dak cool. Also, an A/C relay will turn it on when the compressor is running - greatly enhancing the weak Dodge A/C.
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Jeff
Dodge Dakota
8/03/2001
13:42:45
| RE: Electric Fan Kit
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Can You tell me where you found that kit at is there an online web page? What size did you go with? Also what temp does every one set their electrical thermostat at?
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Donald
Dodge Dakota
8/03/2001
13:56:13
| RE: Electric Fan Kit
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Where would i get an A/c Relay? HOw much do they cost? Are they hard to install?
I guess i'll shell out 26 more dollars and get a Thermastat controlled Fan! :)
The A/C is beyond weak...in the shade the a/c will turn a person into ice.. but the least amount of sun, and i have to run it on High to keep cool. i've been to the service man who insures me nothing is wrong with my A/c. Actually, I'm getting my windows tinted to keep out the sun. I've been told that would help greatly.
Thanks,
Donald
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4wDakota
Dodge Dakota
8/03/2001
14:35:46
| RE: Electric Fan Kit
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Did you guys utilize the stock fan shroud. I'd like to tuck the fan inside the stock shroud to keep the installation clean. Did any of you guys use the hard metal brackets as opposed to the zip-ties, I'm worried about vibration wearing out the zip-ties
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Jeff
Dodge Dakota
8/03/2001
14:50:57
| RE: Electric Fan Kit
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I got a look at that Perma-Cool fan... What the heck did you mount it to? Do you have any pictures?
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Rascal
Dodge Dakota
8/03/2001
15:59:39
| RE: Electric Fan Kit
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The zip ties mount the fan up against the radiator. According to Perma-Cool, they usually even survive crashes as they have to be cut to get the fan off after an accident. They seem secure to me. I have an Imperial fan on it now and it is on solid. I will have to cut the zips to get the Imperial off.
Jeff, yes, the fan fits right inside the shroud, we leave that in place.
98 5.2 SLT CC
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4X4Tony
Dodge Dakota
8/03/2001
17:12:27
| RE: Electric Fan Kit
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The Black Magic has an integrated bracket that hooks over and under the radiator – very slick. I had two zip tie mount fans on my old 454SS, and one of them eventually wore a cut in the radiator tube (another reason I liked the Black Magic). It also has a thick gasket shroud built in, so you just toss the stock one away. Looks like an OEM job and you get the bonus of better access to the engine. I also liked that the t-stat, relays, etc. were built in – makes for a very clean installation. But, like Rascal says, it did cost $188.
I set my thermostat by adjusting it to come on at what I’m guesstimating to be the 190* point on the Dak’s temp gauge. It’s not rocket science, but while driving the gauge is always in the middle of the low mark and the 210*, so I set it to come on halfway between this mid-point and the 210* mark. Seems to work – it doesn’t ever come on while I’m moving and it has never once come close to hitting the 210* mark.
I also wired my fan so that it can run with the engine off. In the hottest weather, it cycles on and off for maybe 5 minutes after shutting the truck down. Going waaaay back, I had a Buick Grand National that was set up that way. I figure anything that helps reduce Heat Soak is a good thing?
I have found that you can give the Dak’s A/C a nice boost by wrapping the freon lines (one’s a hose, one’s a hard line attached to the wheel well) with DEI Cool Tubes. The hard line in particular runs very close to the exhaust and insulating it made a noticeable difference.
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4wDakota
Dodge Dakota
8/03/2001
17:48:06
| RE: Electric Fan Kit
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Hey 4x4 Tony, do you have a part # for that black magic fan you got from Summit?
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Rascal
Dodge Dakota
8/03/2001
21:46:45
| RE: Electric Fan Kit
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The Black Magic # is 150.
Tony, that sounds like a super unit, $180 is still a great price for a quality unit like the Black Magic. I have not heard of the ties cutting into the radiator, but I do not doubt it could happen.
Good luck,
Rascal
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4X4Tony
Dodge Dakota
8/06/2001
08:35:52
| RE: Electric Fan Kit
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Well, you know - it WAS a GM radiator, after all...
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Rascal
Dodge Dakota
8/06/2001
09:45:49
| RE: Electric Fan Kit
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Oh yeah, I forgot that...hehehee
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rEID tARDO
Dodge Dakota
8/06/2001
12:49:35
| RE: Electric Fan Kit
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I just ordered a Black Magic fan (#150) from Checker (same thing a Shcucks Or Kragen depending on where you live) for 174.99. And they had it delivered to the store THAT DAY!! Im going to install it today and will post how well it stands up to Phoenix summer heat...
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Rascal
Dodge Dakota
8/06/2001
12:59:13
| RE: Electric Fan Kit
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Yes, please let us know...
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Rascal
Dodge Dakota
8/06/2001
14:39:11
| RE: Electric Fan Kit
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I just received my Perma-Cool fan from Summit. I will let you know how it does as compared to the Imperial.
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rEID tARDO
Dodge Dakota
8/07/2001
12:32:52
| RE: Electric Fan Kit
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Well I installed the fan yesterday and did a preliminary test. The temp. outside was about 105. First I Hotrodded it around w/o the air for about 10 min or so and the temp didnt budge from where I set the fan to turn on. Then I turned on the air and parked in a parking lot and let it idle for about 5 min. The temp started to creep and I decided to drive around the lot at slow speeds for about another couple of min and the temp went all the way to 210 before I stoped the test. I havent had a chance to see how it does with the air on in normal driving conditions, but it doesnt look good. If it doesnt work out then I will be looking to sell my fan and get a twin fan... Does anyone know who makes a high flow twin fan for a 97 5.2?? flex-a-lite makes a twin fan for the full size chevy that moves 5200 cfm which is nearly double the one that I installed!! but it draws 30 amps!! Is that too much for my alternator to handle?? any way I will post more results in a couple of days after I have had a chance to do some more road testing
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rEID tARDO
Dodge Dakota
8/07/2001
12:36:35
| RE: Electric Fan Kit
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I just realized that I forgot to say.... This is one mod that you can REALLY! feel. It helped power in every range. Probably the most noticable mod Ive made to date (already done the K&N FIPK 2 and Mopar 3 in. cat back with a high flow cat)
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4X4Tony
Dodge Dakota
8/07/2001
13:33:35
| RE: Electric Fan Kit
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A couple of questions:
Did you install a 180* T-stat before you bolted on the new fan? Several postings here and on the DML suggest that the 180* stat is required for an electric to keep a 5.2 cool. The Robert Shaw high flow is a favorite (I think SpeedTweaks sells ‘em). I have the M-1 intake, so it has the big “old style” t-stat, and I used a 180* high flow.
Did you hook up the A/C relay wire (rather than wait for the temp to switch it on)? Do you have the fan temp set low enough? I don’t think the fan is able to recover if things have gotten too hot before it turns on. It should be able to maintain a temp while the truck isn’t moving.
Where did you connect the main power wire? I used the alternator connection in the under hood power box.
I'm asking because it was 95* here and I spent a long time in traffic inching along (waiting for an accident to be cleared off the road) with the A/C on and it never hit the 210 mark. Didn't pass what I'm guesstimating to be the 190* mark.
I can’t imagine there is a dual fan that would fit our skinny radiators…
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Rascal
Dodge Dakota
8/07/2001
14:10:22
| RE: Electric Fan Kit
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I installed my Perma-Cool fan yesterday. It has only been 86 degrees here, (unusually cool for Atlanta), but I never got to 210 degrees. I had the shroud off as the instructions suggest, but added it back on this morning, it just looks better. Tardo, you may want to add a bottle of Radiator Relief from Speedtweaks like I did too, I think that helps. I agree, the difference in the feel of the engine is huge, it really takes a lot of weight off the engine by getting rid of the clutch fan.
I have not figured where to connect in to get the a/c relay, but need to do that as well. Right now, I have my fan coming on at about 160. Tardo, you may want yours on earlier. If you get unhappy with that black magic, email me at
rascal2064@yahoo.com, I may buy it from you if you make me a good deal on it.
If I were buying again, I would buy the Perma-Cool 18", I bought the 16". I think the 18 would fit just fine.
If someone figures out where we tap into wiring to pick up the a/c please let me know.
Rascal
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4X4Tony
Dodge Dakota
8/07/2001
14:21:41
| RE: Electric Fan Kit
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I connected it right inside the power box (driver's side fender – dunno the “real” name). The A/C compressor wire is dark blue with a black stripe (verify on your truck by checking against the two-wire A/C connector on the driver's side of the engine, right behind the A/C compressor and in the same loom as the #1 fuel injector’s wiring – one is black ground and the other is the hot). You can just use a wire tap and hook into that wire, or you can do it in the power box for a clean look. I took apart a spare 8 pin connector and used one of the long, flat “male” prongs. I attached my fan lead to it and then just pushed it into the top of the plug where the A/C clutch wire is – fits nice and tight. This way, in the winter I can disconnect it, since I don’t want it running with the defroster.
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Tim
Dodge Dakota
8/07/2001
15:31:43
| RE: Electric Fan Kit
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Even though it zaps power big time, i like the roaring noise the clutch fan makes in the morning and when it kicks on fully when its hot enough.....makes it sound mean.....I'm thinking about getting a small electric fan to help the a\c work better in traffic but i'll keep the clutch fan on there...don't want to jury rig too many things as i may sell it next year....
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Tim
Dodge Dakota
8/07/2001
15:33:00
| RE: Electric Fan Kit
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Even though it zaps power big time, i like the roaring noise the clutch fan makes in the morning and when it kicks on fully when its hot enough.....makes it sound mean.....I'm thinking about getting a small electric fan to help the a\c work better in traffic but i'll keep the clutch fan on there...don't want to jury rig too many things as i may sell it next year....
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Rascal
Dodge Dakota
8/07/2001
16:56:17
| RE: Electric Fan Kit
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Oh yeah, forgot to mention, yes, I already had a 180 degree thermostat in the engine. That has helped as well.
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Rascal
Dodge Dakota
8/08/2001
17:37:16
| RE: Electric Fan Kit
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Well, I tried two different electric fans, but mine heated up to about 3/4 on the temp guage today. It was 90 here in Atlanta today and the heat index was high, but still, the clutch fan never allowed the engine to get as hot as it did today. I was sitting in a drive thru line at a fast food place and the temp started climbing. Granted, I had the a/c on, but I had to shut down the a/c to keep from endangering my engine. The TWO electric fans I have on my 5.2, could only hold the temp where it was at that point, and it did not cool until I got rolling again. Its too bad, the extra torque was nice, I will be putting my clutch fan back on tonight. Anyone want a good deal on a Perma-Cool #19115 16" high performance fan, let me know...for a v6 or maybe a 4.7, it will handle it, but the 5.2 makes too much heat. It could also be that my trans cooler adds a bit too much for the electric fans as well, but I am not willing to sacrifice the health of my engine for the little extra torque that the fans offer.
Rascal
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Tim
Dodge Dakota
8/08/2001
23:42:34
| RE: Electric Fan Kit
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Yep, that clutch fan moves a huge amount of air, especially when the clutch fully engages......it just needs an electric fan as a supplement to the A\C to help it work better in traffic.......
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Donald
Dodge Dakota
8/12/2001
11:45:42
| RE: Electric Fan Kit
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I have a 16 inch fan with a 3.9 liter V6. Do you all think my electric fan will keep my engine cool?
Donald
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Rascal
Dodge Dakota
8/12/2001
11:53:16
| RE: Electric Fan Kit
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Yes, I think the 16 inch can probably handle the cooling on your V6, but it could not on my 5.2 V8.
What brand is your 16 inch?
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Donald
Dodge Dakota
8/12/2001
13:01:54
| RE: Electric Fan Kit
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Hey.
The Brand is a Revcor.
I do have a question... connecting to my A/C Compressor there are two wires.. One is Blue and one is blue with an orange stripe. The blue one always has power whether or not the a/c is on or not. The Blue/orange wire seems to carry about 1.5 volts when the compressor is on. So should I tap into that wire for my A/c Relay? I'm a little new at this obvously :)
donald
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jimbo
Dodge Dakota
8/12/2001
14:16:18
| RE: Electric Fan Kit
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stupid question, can an electric fan be put on any size engine? like the 2.5l? if so what would the best make and model to go with?
thanks everyone
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Donald
Dodge Dakota
8/12/2001
15:04:01
| RE: Electric Fan Kit
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Before i said the Blue/orange wire carried 1.5 volts when the A/C was on, but it was closer to 1.2 volts... When the A'C is off, It carries about 13 volts... So Now i'm confused.. which of the two Compressor wires to i tap off of? The Blue or Blue/orange?
Any help would be appreciated:
Donald
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Rascal
Dodge Dakota
8/12/2001
22:40:42
| RE: Electric Fan Kit
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Donald, I am not sure you have the right wires..there are two that go to the clutch for the compressor and two that go to the switch to the compressor...seems that mine is a blue/black wire. It only has voltage when the a/c kicks on..check it with the engine running and a/c on..be careful.
Jimbo, the smaller the engine, the easier to switch to an electric fan..yours should do fine. Go to www.summitracing.com or www.permacool.com and see what the recommendations for your horsepower is...you could even call Summit and ask them, I am sure they would know.
Good luck to both of you.
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jimbo
Dodge Dakota
8/12/2001
22:56:21
| RE: Electric Fan Kit
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thanks alot rascal
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Donald
Dodge Dakota
8/12/2001
22:56:26
| RE: Electric Fan Kit
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Hey Rascal.
thanks for the reply. So there are for wires going to the Compressor? well i can only find two. Well, I didn't look very hard. There were two on top, so i assumed that those two were the only wires. :)
So, I should be looking for a Blue / Black wire? Is it a blue wire with a black strip? or a black wire with a blue stripe? or is it two wires? one blue and one black? I don't mean to ask so many questions, but i want to get this right.
Thanks,
Donald
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jimbo
Dodge Dakota
8/12/2001
23:10:26
| RE: Electric Fan Kit
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rascal you still selling your fan? would it be right for me? if so how much are you asking?
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Rascal
Dodge Dakota
8/13/2001
09:52:51
| RE: Electric Fan Kit
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Donald, which year dak do you own? There are two wires going to the clutch part of the compressor, (normally), and two that go to the switch for the compressor, (also normally). You should only have power to the wire when the a/c kicks on.
jimbo, I do not know if mine will fit yours but check the amount of space in your shroud. My Imperial fan is a 16 inch. I bought it for $59 at Advance Auto. I used it about one week and would sell it for $40 plus shipping if you are interested.
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Donald
Dodge Dakota
8/13/2001
11:33:08
| RE: Electric Fan Kit
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Thanks Rascal.
I have an 87 Dak. So the clutch wires are the ones that probably have power all the time whether the ac is on or not. the two "switch" wires are what i'm looking for..? Is that the Blue/black wire you were talking about earlier? In a few minutes i'll go out side and track it down.
Thanks
Donald
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