cooling fans

[PSL-Boxster]

i drove my box today to go get pizza ( yum ), and i didnt really drive it that hard. the highest rpm i got up to was about 5k and i didnt exceed over half throttle...after i got home (and ate my delicious pizza) i went by the garage and heard the cooling fan running, 30 minutes after i shut the car off...is this normal? i do this exact same procedure about once a week and haven't had this happen.. i kno if you run the car quite hard (track), then the cooling fan will stay on after you shut the car off so that it can cool...but after a regular drive? --> can i have a cooling problem? >_> thanks

[Lil bastard]

I think you have either a failed Cooling Fan relay - #s 19, 20, 21, 22 in the kick panel Relay Panel, or you have a failed Engine Coolant Temperature sensor - located on the left front of the engine, accessible through the engine access panel. This ECT sensor signals the DME to activate the Cooling Fans.

There are other possibilities, but these are the most likely.

[Benny986]

yup, i'd check with what he said.

but i'll take this opportune time to mention that about once a year, its a good idea, to clean out the dirt in front of each radiator.

i remove the front bumper, (20 minutes). then remove the trim around the radiators, then pull the radiator loose. there is always a lot of debris, it looks like a mini forest with cig butts leaves, etc.

i dust it out, you can use air, or a little dust pan duster. then i follow that up with a hose. then i put it all back together.

[Tool Pants]

What fan? For the radiator or the engine compartment?

[Brucelee]

Yes, 30 minute is too long.

Ditto, check radiators in front for debris etc.

[Lil bastard]

Yes, checking the radiators at least bi-annually s/b considered scheduled maintenance for these cars.

But I suspect that if that were the issue here, he'd see an abnormal Temp gauge reading which wasn't reported.

I think it's an electrical issue and not temp related.

One other thing - best to address this sooner rather than later to avoid possibly discharging the battery and create possible charging problems, now or in the near future.

[rgriffin]

I notice a similar thing. The fan I hear is behind the passenger seat somewhere.
I used to notice that it would come on periodically, but now it sounds louder and makes an almost grinding noise as it starts up. What fan is this, and what could be going on?

[Lil bastard]

That's the engine bay cooling fan. It should trigger once the temp in the engine bay reaches 180° F. It is not part of the engine cooling system. It's function is to reduce heat in the engine bay to prevent the charge from being too hot and to reduce the threat of fire - a concern for all mid-engine cars. You won't notice it when driving usually because sufficient air is drawn in the passenger side vent to keep the engine bay temps lower than 180, but idling, or in stop&go traffic, it should come on.

From your description, it sounds as if you have a bearing going bad in the fan motor. Plan on replacement sooner rather than later I'm afraid.

[lawn1]

Hi, Does anyone know if both fans should run at same time with only engine running and A/C off ? Only the left fan runs at low speed with engine running. If I turn a/c on both fans run at high speed. 1999 Boxster

[Trey T]

As long as can remember my SO's Boxster engine fan comes on for short period of time (30sec to 1min) even after engine is off.

I always thought that was normal; is it not?

[ohhh my]

My fans have never come on after i have turned off the engine... Anyone else experience the same?