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Thread: Help! Fan won't turn off when engine is off

  1. 10-09-2008, 12:09 PM #1
    NeoFan
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    Help! Fan won't turn off when engine is off

    Hi Guys,

    I'm new here so I hope I'm not posting this in the wrong place. My '99 323i wouldn't start yesterday so I thought it was a dead battery. When I jump started it, the minute we attached the cables the fan came on, before I even put the key in the ignition. So apparently the last time I turned the car off my fan must have stayed on draining the battery.

    Is it a sensor that tells the fan to turn off when the car turns off that needs to be replaced? I've also noticed a burning smell sometimes when I drive it. I'm clueless here...
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  2. 10-09-2008, 12:13 PM #2
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    Stück
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    You most likely have a sticking relay. The sensor on the radiator cannot fail in a manner which would keep the fan on.
    Tenured Automotive Service Professional - Avid BMW Enthusiast
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  3. 10-09-2008, 12:14 PM #3
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    MTLe34
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    There's a bunch of wires that go to the fan, just start cutting them till the fan turns off. No more fan when the engine is off.

    Ok, fine, not really the best option. Not familliar with the placement of the sensor on the M52, it's either on the rad or in the engine block... Someone's gotta confirm this. Check if there is a sensor on your rad though, that'll be your first hint, the next is it might share the coolant temp sensor for the engine. just a guess.

    I just woke up and i'm obviously dumb, The genius on top of me nailed it.
    Last edited by MTLe34; 10-09-2008 at 12:15 PM. Reason: i'm stupid


    Who needs a V8 when you've got the gas mileage and idle of one, without the complicated repairs? M30 FTW!
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  4. 10-09-2008, 02:38 PM #4
    NeoFan
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    Thanks, guys. Right now I'm disconnecting the fan while the car is off until I can get it to a shop.
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  5. 10-09-2008, 04:21 PM #5
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    mryakan
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    does the fan on the e46 not stay on for a while after the engine is shut off? (or is that an e36 you have? 99 is a switchover year so not sure which the 323 was)
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  6. 10-09-2008, 04:33 PM #6
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    Brashland
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    I may have been sheistered, but when my car was doing this I took it to the mechanic and he said the water pump was bad...? The car had 70K miles on it and I never knew if it had been replaced before so he changed it and that 'fixed' my problem.
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  7. 10-09-2008, 07:26 PM #7
    NeoFan
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    Bad water pump, that's interesting. I'll let you know if they tell me the same thing...
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  8. 10-09-2008, 08:24 PM #8
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    Not to sound like a d**k, but why create two threads of the exact same topic my friend?

    http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...6#post14356106
    It's not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog.
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