Radiator fan not switching off

[maxp]

There was some minor traffic today and when i switched the car off the radiator fan kicked in. Considering how cool it is outside im finding it very odd that its been on now for over half an hour roaring away.

This is not the first time this has happened, a week ago it ran until the battery was flat.

Any ideas?

[Conker]

The electrical plug is on the radiator - just unplug it and see if the fan goes off. If it does you can rule out an electrical fault e.g. a short or earth problem,  and then buy a new screw-in fan switch. Easy and cheap!

Even in summer my 16v's fan only stays on a minute or so.

[maxp]

Did you mean unplug it and plug it back in a see if it stays off?

[drapergti]

I believe unplug it and see if it then switches off. If it does then the switch is at fault.

[Conker]

I believe unplug it and see if it then switches off. If it does then the switch is at fault.

Yup.

Pulling the electrical connection off proves whether its the switch or not.

[maxp]

So got into the car after work and battery was completely flat. Jumped it and drove home - have done two seperate journeys since then and its not started. Weird.

Not sure what you mean by unplug it and see if it still runs? I cant see how it *would* run without power...i havent looked yet but i assume there is a temperature sensor its connected to and you mean unplug the electrics to that?

[sidecarphil]

if you unplug it and it still runs then the fan is getting a feed from another electrical source

if it stop's turning when you unplug it then the switch is up the swanny 

[rubjonny]

^^ aye exactly, on some models there is a fan after-run switch onm the inlet somewhere, which brings the fan on if the engine bay temps get too high.  if the wire falls off and earths to the engine block the fan will switch on and stay on.

[Conker]

Not sure what you mean by unplug it and see if it still runs? I cant see how it *would* run without power...i havent looked yet but i assume there is a temperature sensor its connected to and you mean unplug the electrics to that?

We don't mean unplug the fan itself, just the plug that controls the fan. Its situated on the rad, and tells the fan when to turn on/off. If its b#ggered, your fan will play up.

[sidecarphil]

on some models there is a fan after-run switch onm the inlet somewhere, which brings the fan on if the engine bay temps get too high.  if

the Mrs' 1.3 does that

did wonder about it

i will remember this bit of info for when it goes wrong