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How do you wire cooling fans for an E46 LS swap?

The same way as any swap: relays for the fans, and a temperature signal to trigger them.

  • Two fans → two relays. One standard relay for both fans can blow its ~30 A fuse when they start together.
  • Trigger: a thermostatic switch, a gauge or controller with a fan output, or your ECU's fan output (most aftermarket EFI has one).
  • Power: fused constant power to the relay feeds, switched ignition power to the relay coils.
  • Options: run the second fan off the A/C compressor signal or a manual switch for extra cooling.

We don't have an E46-specific fan source, so check the fan's current draw against your fuse and wire sizes.

Confidence: medium — sources disagree or are limited; check the sources below.

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Sources
  1. How to Wire Dual Electric Cooling Fans — Speedway Motors