Temperature "probe" taped to a cooling/heater system tube?

[SneakyPete13]

When I bought my 94 Viper I took it to a specialty shop and they mentioned there's a sensor just taped on. The car ran fine, and I don't push it too hard, so so far it's been ok. But it's been bothering me forever, so today I finally decided to look at this. I took a look at the manual as well to figure out what's going on, but can't really make out exactly what's happening. My best guess looking at forums is this is some sort of gadget to force the fans to come on at a certain temperature. The "probe" almost looks like a meat temperature monitoring thermocouple (yellow). the other end is connected to the box with an adjustable knob variable capacitor or resistor maybe? Is it to perhaps adjust at what temperature the fans kick in? Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[SneakyPete13]

Also the way it currently stands, after the car warms up, the temps settle at the small black mark before 250. I know Gen 1 Vipers run hot and that it's not unusual to get it at this level.

 

[Viper 8 R]

It looks like they installed the Sean Roe Racing Fan Control Kit to help manage heat-soak after racing. If working, with the little white stalk (thermostat) adjusted correctly, might kick on the fans earlier and cut them off later. You can tell if the control works when motor is fully hot; just turn off the key, and your fan(s) will continue to run until motor is ‘cool’ -er.
Roe installation instructions for the control say to place the probe on the radiator tank. Maybe your current placement works better, IDK.

 

[Viper 8 R]

My ‘96 RT ran hot; my ‘98 RT runs hot. So, the fan High Speed relay gets cooked. Suggest you Carry a spare relay.

 

[SneakyPete13]

It looks like they installed the Sean Roe Racing Fan Control Kit to help manage heat-soak after racing. If working, with the little white stalk (thermostat) adjusted correctly, might kick on the fans earlier and cut them off later. You can tell if the control works when motor is fully hot; just turn off the key, and your fan(s) will continue to run until motor is ‘cool’ -er.
Roe installation instructions for the control say to place the probe on the radiator tank. Maybe your current placement works better, IDK.

Thank you so much. This is consistent with my experience indeed. If I just put the key to the accessory position to turn off, the fans do indeed keep spinning. I will adjust the dial and see if I can get the system to kick on earlier, because especially on hot days the temps just feel like they get a bit closer to the orange 250.

 

[SneakyPete13]

My ‘96 RT ran hot; my ‘98 RT runs hot. So, the fan High Speed relay gets cooked. Suggest you Carry a spare relay.

Thanks for this. Better safe than sorry. Will carry this from now.