My fan keeps running after the car is off
 

I picked up my 2002 TL today from the dealer after having a new transmission installed (48K on the car and on 3rd transmission). When I arrived home and turned off the car, I noticed that the fan kept running for about 5 minutes. I don't ever recall this happening before. Any ideas as to what would cause this? Is this normal bahavior? The temperature guage was in the usual range when I turned off the car. It is rather warm outside today (low 90's and humid), but that's not uncommon for Baltimore summers. Thanks in advance for any help that you might be able to offer.

i know that on some cars it's normal. the fan just stays on to cool everything down, before shutting completely off. although my 03 tl-s doesn't do what your's does. so i can't say if this is normal for our tl's.

please try the search feature for fan temp sensor

Its a common failure, easy DIY replacement- located either on lower right corner backside of radiator and screws in, or at the thermostat housing- screws in
Look for a power wire to find

fan should run a few minutes max!

My condolences- 3rd transm. in 48K miles- :ugh:

When I said third transmission, I meant original and then 2 replacements.

Geez man sorry to here, thats an aweful much that fast



If you live down south somewhere where the heat is extreme, the fan may run for a few minutes even on its on. But not for an extended period of time

If the fan runs properly to cool it down after engine was shut off, I think it is a good feature. May not be problem with the fan, rather it is problem with other things generating excessive heat.

Just check your coolant levels before heading out to replace a sensor you don't need. Mine started doing that during this heat wave we had last week and continued into this week and it's much cooler now. i got worried and check the coolant - low in the radiator and reservoir bottle was near full!! Apparently the hose thats in the bottle disconnected itself and after kicking over a bunch of fluid into the bottle, it couldn't bring any of it back. Luckily I caught it before it caused any damage.

1. I had the same thing happen to me. My fix was the right angle hard plastic tube that connects the black rubber tube from the radiator to the reserve tank that cost me couple bucks.

yes- always check the transfer hose is on inside the res cap.
It must sit in coolant at all times in order for the suction transfer to work!!
If not- you pull air into the formerly sealed system and will trap some air behind the thermostat- that will fool the computer and make the fan run and run

Once coolant level has been inspected- filled and burped if needed, then proceed to fan sensor
If its 15 minutes running its most likely the sensor

Well I have the answer to my problem. I called the dealer today and they told me to bring it in right away and they would have a loaner for me waiting. Apparently when they change the transmission, they also have to drain some coolant as well. The claim was that a bubble was in the line, so the line had to be bled (or something like that). Anyway, it's fixed now just in time to trade the darn thing in. It's really a bitter sweet moment because I loved the car on one hand but I was always unnerved by that transmission issue. I'm just praying that the 2009 TL does not have the same problem.

Thanks for everyone's advice and patience with all of my questions these past few weeks! I really appreciate everyone's help!


Marty

thats in line with what I said about air getting in the cooling system and needing to be bled/burped
Glad its fixed!

Detail the car for better resale value,,,trade-in its not as big a deal, but clean rather than dirty is always worth a few bucks in `condition value`

:thumbsup:
Glad we could help out and helped you avoid an unnecessary fan temp sensor repair.

my car has started doing this recently..and not too long before it started i installed a CAI so i was worried that had something to do with it..but i will check all other things first..and it does not stay on forever just for a few minutes

when you installed the cai you may have lost a few drops of coolant and allowed air in- try the burping first-per the book method

Mine always shuts off when i turn the car off. Wish it would stay on when hot after shutting the car off. I'm not talking about the A/C being on but when it's really hot outside.

a few minutes is all it needs to cool the sudden temp rise when water pump stops pushing fluid thru radiator,
after that, the thermostat closes and things cool at a slower pace- better for all the metal than a shock cooling

check if yours is working at all- let car idle and fan will come on and off

i needed some coolant in my car so i filled it up and everything is back to normal and i do remember loosing some fluid during the cai install and i imagine it was low in the first place.

it should never be low!!
if the system is working right it will simply transfer fluid from the res to the rad and back as needed

yea my res was low which i knew and then when installing th CAI some leaked out which i didnt notice my reserve being empty..but ive taken care of all that now so i am good to go! no more fan and no overheating ftw

exact same problem with mine. after replacing hose inside resovoir and plastic connecter no more fan running while care is off