Radiator fan continues to run

[Shawn]

I own a '07 Saturn Aura XR that has 155K miles on it. A week ago it started doing something strange. The issue I'm experiencing only happens about 60% of the time. What I've noticed is this - after I turn off the engine and remove the key, the radiator fan continues to run for about 3 to 4 minutes. Sometimes, just before shutting off the car, I'll notice that the temperature gauge is pointed higher then usual. I'm worried that one of these times the fan will not shut off and I'll come out to a dead battery. Luckily, this hasn't happened yet. So far I've noticed that the fan will shut off a few minutes after turning off the engine. And, like I said, it doesn't do this every time I shut off the car. Does anyone have any suggestions as to why the radiator fan continues to run even after turning the car off and the key removed? Thanks so much for the input!!

[Ed Pawlowski]

Post by Shawn
I own a '07 Saturn Aura XR that has 155K miles on it. A week ago it
started doing something strange. The issue I'm experiencing only happens
about 60% of the time. What I've noticed is this - after I turn off the
engine and remove the key, the radiator fan continues to run for about 3
to 4 minutes. Sometimes, just before shutting off the car, I'll notice
that the temperature gauge is pointed higher then usual. I'm worried that
one of these times the fan will not shut off and I'll come out to a dead
battery. Luckily, this hasn't happened yet. So far I've noticed that the
fan will shut off a few minutes after turning off the engine. And, like I
said, it doesn't do this every time I shut off the car. Does anyone have
any suggestions as to why the radiator fan continues to run even after
turning the car off and the key removed? Thanks so much for the input!!

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Is the engine running hotter than usual? IIRC, some fans will run until the
temperature gets down a bit. Check the sensor also.

[Shawn]

Post by Ed Pawlowski

Post by Shawn
I own a '07 Saturn Aura XR that has 155K miles on it. A week ago it
started doing something strange. The issue I'm experiencing only happens
about 60% of the time. What I've noticed is this - after I turn off the
engine and remove the key, the radiator fan continues to run for about 3
to 4 minutes. Sometimes, just before shutting off the car, I'll notice
that the temperature gauge is pointed higher then usual. I'm worried that
one of these times the fan will not shut off and I'll come out to a dead
battery. Luckily, this hasn't happened yet. So far I've noticed that the
fan will shut off a few minutes after turning off the engine. And, like I
said, it doesn't do this every time I shut off the car. Does anyone have
any suggestions as to why the radiator fan continues to run even after
turning the car off and the key removed? Thanks so much for the input!!

================================================================
==============================================================
Is the engine running hotter than usual? IIRC, some fans will run until the
temperature gets down a bit. Check the sensor also.

Hmm, I have noticed that the engine does seem to be running slightly hotter than is has in the past. . . I figured that the fan continuing to run had something to do with this fact. . .

[PeterD]

Post by Shawn
Hmm, I have noticed that the engine does seem to be running slightly hotter than is has in the past. . .
I figured that the fan continuing to run had something to do with this fact. . .

The fan running is a result of being hotter (not the other way around.)
Check coolant level. Check for obstructions and debris in the radiator.
Check for coolant level and condition.

[k***@ge.com]

Post by Shawn
Hmm, I have noticed that the engine does seem to be running slightly hotter than
is has in the past. . . I figured that the fan continuing to run had something to
do with this fact. . .

Which is telling you that the engine is running too hot. Did you check
the coolant level? How about a collapsed hose, bad thermostat, clogged
radiator or something else clogged. The fan is doing you a favor by
cooling your overheated engine. You need to find the cause of the
overheating.