This is an addition based from Roady's original thread here.
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I installed the Geo temperature switch this evening, with a little creative wiring. I didn't want to remove the original plug, in case I wanted to go back to an original style switch in the future. Some of you guys probably already figured this out, but I thought I'd at least post my process in case it helps some of you...
First off, I noticed that the original switch connectors were about the same size as some bullet connectors I had, so I worked backwards from that. You can see the bullet connector on the left, original switch, and the new Geo switch.
The area inside the Geo switch is so cramped that even two small blade connectors didn't fit well. They DID fit but were touching, which is not a good thing. So I took the blade connectors and trimmed back the plastic sheath, but left enough to protect the crimp area.
I then soldered a 3-4" length of wire onto the BLADE part of the connector, and then protected using some shrink tubing.
On the opposite side, I soldered two of the large bullet connectors, and of course... more shrink tubing.
The crimped part of the small blade connectors slid over the Geo switch just perfectly!
So I have this:
Electric taped it really well:
The bullet connectors fit into the original plug really well. They seem nice and tight and don't move around so I assume they're good. Not sure how I'm going to protect them from the elements. And I may have to zip-tie the wire away from the fan blades.
1976 GL1000 - in progress - 70,000 miles - Originally Sulfur Yellow
65olds88 wrote:Does it work as well as the factory one?
We'll see... I have yet to hear my 'wing even start yet so functionality of the new temp switch is up in the air. But others here are using them, some with good results and others with mediocre results.
Once I get my 'wing up and running, I'll certainly post back with results.
1976 GL1000 - in progress - 70,000 miles - Originally Sulfur Yellow
My homemade switch is probably good. I had thought that it wasn't working but after getting everything back together with the OEM switch in place ... the fan still didn't work.
I jumpered the fan and it was not working.
Tore it apart again and got the fan motor out and found rust/corrosion and gunk inside. I polished it all up, reassembled and like magic it works perfectly now. Temp never goes above about 1/2 way on the meter.
There was a Geo Turbo that was sold in Canada. It has the turn on point about 10 degrees lower than the regular Geo switch. That might be the way to go here in Arizona.
65olds88 wrote:Does it work as well as the factory one?
We'll see... I have yet to hear my 'wing even start yet so functionality of the new temp switch is up in the air....
Ok, I must have missed it. If you have never had the engine running, how did you determine the original temp switch was bad?
You caught me. I assumed it was bad because the PO had hard wired the fan directly to the battery. In all honesty, I figured that while I was in there, radiator out, timing belts, replacing o-rings, etc., I might as well bite the bullet and put in a new temp switch. Then I saw the "how-to" and got intrigued.
1976 GL1000 - in progress - 70,000 miles - Originally Sulfur Yellow
ElPiloto wrote:There was a Geo Turbo that was sold in Canada. It has the turn on point about 10 degrees lower than the regular Geo switch. That might be the way to go here in Arizona.
I wonder about the threads/size?
Testing Your Switch
You test the switch by suspending it in a pan filled with some motor oil. Heat up the oil and watch your dollar store candy thermometer. Hold the leads of your meter on the connectors. If it switches on at temp then it's good to go. If it doesn't then it's toast (& $59 to www.ServiceHonda.com).
Kinda like this:
Butt, my meter was setup wrong in that pic. Read the rest of this thread to get more details.
A similar test can be done on the Water Temp Sender.
Detailed instrux and temps can be found in the manuals.
It's the same 3 cylinder 1000 cc engine, so I would have to believe it's the same size, but with a different turn-on temperature.
Since the Geo is out of production now, and the turbo Geo's are very rare, I imagine it would be difficult to find the switch now. But, the next time I see one listed in a catalog, I am going to try to order one.
I was looking for more info on this switch. It looks like Steve Saunder's Forum really took off on this idea. Check out their thread here.
Here's a cut-n-paste collection of more data on the switch, and other options available. I haven't checked these out, just going by what the gang over at Saunder's is saying about OUR fix.
Valid for 1975 thru 1987 GoldWings.
1994 Geo Metro 1.0L, MR Series
Closed Switch Temp Range=88.5c to 91.5c.
Open Switch Temp Range=82c to 88c.
The Part Number Collection:
BWD #TFS596 40-5079
Beck Arnley #201-0817 ($20.00 RockAuto.com)
Gates #T274 (RockAuto.com $16)
Borg Warner #TFS596
Echlin #FS-130 (36.77 NAPA)
Niehof #WA-639B
Four Seasons #35934
Autozone #002683
Car Quest #TS-306
A word of caution ... running the OEM thermostat with these Thermo Switches is not recommended. Your fan will be running all the time. I use the Stant 13868 82 deg C. I didn't have a problem with the Geo switch and NAPA #101 Thermostat. Roady
Peterbylt did a pretty nice job on his adapter. Since he stole my idea (while only crediting this board), I stole his pics.
All's fair, eh?
Last edited by Roady on Wed Sep 02, 2009 12:07 pm, edited 1 time in total.
I think I can get the connector for the Geo thermo-switch. Would these be worth 4 to 5 buck a pop to you guys? I would likely have to order 50 of them to get a good price and I don't want to be stuck with them...
I doubt you could move that many here but it you put together a package of the connector and the switch and made it as plug and play as possible I think you could do very well on Flea BAy.
"Agreement is not a requirement for Respect" CDR Michael Smith USN (Ret) 2017
"The book is wrong, this whole Conclusion is Fallacious" River Tam
"Yea I do dance awkwardly, and I am having more fun than you" Taylor Swift
2008 GL1800 IIIA "TH3DOG"
1984 GL1200 Standard
1975/6/7/8/9 Arthur Fulmer Dressed Road bike
1975 Naked Noisy and Nasty in town bike
Psst. oh and by the way CHANGE YOUR BELTS!!!!
While researching EFI sensor connectors, I found that GM makes pigtailed connectors for amost every electrical plug on any recent GM car.
If you could get the connectors for the Geo switches and sell them together, as I'm sure, as Whiskerfish suggested, that you could sell a bunch of them on eBay.
I assumed it was bad because the PO had hard wired the fan directly to the battery. In all honesty, I figured that while I was in there, radiator out, timing belts, replacing o-rings, etc., I might as well bite the bullet and put in a new temp switch. Then I saw the "how-to" and got intrigued.
