This is something new that has started happening.. Maybe because of the warmer weather and i started using the AC? But seems like something is wrong to me if a car's fan has to turn on to cool it down when not running or very hott out.. thanks

 

It's to prevent the headgaskets from blowing.

Whens the last time you did a coolant flush?

 

How long does it stay on after shutting off the car. My car did this awhile back where I would shut it off and the fans would kick on for a few minutes it ended up being a bad relay if I remember correctly. Also check coolant levels in the car to make sure it is not low

 

Usually means your fan switch is bad, shouldn't come on unless you have a problem, like overheating.

 

Replace Coolant ASAP... If the car doesnt overheat while driving the Thermostat is workimg like a champ! But if the car starts the fans even when the car is shut down the coolant is obviously overheated it must be pretty old...

 

That could be a possibility but when my car would kick on the fans after shutting off it had a brand new radiator coolant flush and coolant was at the right level. It was a bad switch or relay

 

Yeah, prob a bad relay for the A/C fan. Check if your passenger side fan comes on with your A/C...if it doesn't, swap relays with the main fan and check again. The condenser fan is also a backup for your main fan, and if it doesn't work then your main fan will pop on when the car is off to cool it down.

 

typically, the driver side fan will come on for 15 seconds to 2 minutes on a normal engine temp shutdown..
the temp increase at the sensor, when coolant stops circulating, is picked up and the fan turned on to bring it back down

the TL should always run 1-2 lines below half on the temp guage,,and dead steady regardless of conditions or ac on- going uphill, 100 degrees outside--1-2 lines below half and steady

IF Driver side fan comes on after shutdown,,maybe doesnt run at stoplights after a few minutes like it always did??, or runs 5-15 minutes after shutdown, chances are the
`fan temp sensor A' is failing
00-03, screws into bottem corner of radiator,,simple diy

coolant on our car needs to be changed every 5 years,, or less

Ck your cap condition, resivour fluid condition, hose inside res bottle cap is on tight etc too

 

Your owners manual (if my memory serves me right) mentions something about the fans may come on after shutting off the engine. You might even see that on a sticker near your fans. (WARNING fans may come on at anytime.
So to me this is probably a normal condition. And as they already mentioned check coolant level just to be sure.

 

its ALL about the amount of time it runs after shutdown

MORE than 2 minutes = problem = most likely the fan temp sensor as indicated before

everyone should test their radiator cap, the seal gets old and weak, system operates at lower pressure than designed for..rad caps are 10 bucks~
get a new pcv valve while at parts store!

 

referance: driver side fan operates based on coolant temp exiting the radiator
Will cycle briefly when stopped at long lights as example--when the water pump isnt cranking hard at idle,,creates slight temp increase in radiator, fan comes on to extract hot air = heat from the system

passenger side fan works with the A/C ON, runs full time, when ac compressor is engaged
Will go off when compressor cycles off, as cabin temp obtained

and it works as an emergency backup fan to the driver side in case of severe overheat,,trying to save the engine for you...

www.owners.acura.com register there and download owner book for free

 

my car usually does this, but its been winter so it wont do it until spring or something. BUT, lately, if ive been at idle for a few minutes, my temp gauge will rise to almost overheating, but when i start driving, it goes back to normal....what could this be? i dont think its the thermostat, is it?

 

Check your coolant level in the radiator and the overflow tank. Check the cooling fans for operation. Both cooling fans should come on whenever the a/c compressor engages.

 

thanks trash--my bad- forgot driver fan ON with ac, as well as pass fan
it needs both to maintain the perfect stationary temp 1-2 lines below half

temp rises at stop = CK: things said above, plus water pump for leakage
Pressure test system
could be thermostat too but cooling fan operation is priority after levels ckd- (ck cold)

When was the timing belt/water pump replacement last done?
called for every 7 years or 105kmiles- whichever first
extreme climates and/or severe vehicle operation may need it at 60kmiles

 

Exactly, that is why if the problem occurs after the A/C is run like the OP's issue, there is likely an issue with the A/C fan relay causing only the main fan to run. If only the main fan is in operation, it will pop on after the car is shut off.

 

I got ya,,
so the OP needs to know what the fans are doing,,always our first step in these type diagnosis
ck fuses then swap relays to see if thats the prob
relay of same color is the same part = interchange no prob

 

I have a feeling this is one of those disappearing OP threads

 

thats what happens when you DO drive it when it keeps coming close to redline,,several times of that...not a good plan

you dont replace the fan switch and it overheats = kills engine = TL becomes beer can material

 

Thanks for the all the input.. And it WAS the 'coolant level'.. glad its fixed and doesn't do it any more..

 

ok WHY was the coolant level low?

bad hose, loose clamp, failure to refill after coolant change?
bad water pump will slowly leak from a special `weep hole` on its bottem side
look for white stain line

 

yup the level was low.. glad it was only that, because i still have things to buy for my 02 type s.. lol I'm gettin lip kit painted this month and installed hopefully.. then im thinking of lowering it just a little, cuz Boston has the worst streets! any input on a small drop would be greatly appreciated!