1993 Honda Prelude Fan Runs After Shutdown

1993 HONDA PRELUDE
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HATARI604
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I own a 1993 Honda Prelude VTEC with 81K miles. I had the radiator and thermostat replaced last week and for the first time in 13 years, the electric engine cooling fam came on after I shut off the engine. Could the mechanics have used the wrong replacement parts or installed something incorrectly?
Oct 21, 2006 at 11:40 AM
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BRUCE HUNT
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Engine appears to be running hotter than it did in the past. Could be a slight difference in the radiator. The fan running afterwards is acceptable. Now I would check the engine for fluid level and ensure the bleeding points have been opened to let air out of the system. Ask the mechanic if they used an exact radiator replacement or an off brand. How about the temp gauge? OK?
Oct 23, 2006 at 6:24 AM
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HATARI604
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The temp gauge is reading normal so it does not appear to be running any hotter. I didn't ask the mechanic but the radiator sure looks the same.

I brought it back to the mechanic but he said until he sees it act up in front of him, there is nothing he can do (he said it could be any of a multitude of sensors) .
Oct 23, 2006 at 10:31 AM
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BRUCE HUNT
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Depending on the weather you are driving in the fan coming on is normal. The fan will always run if the a/c is on. The temp gauge should not change as the thermostat takes care of that but the engine itself could run hotter and need to expel more heat. This could trigger the fan to run more.
Oct 24, 2006 at 12:36 AM
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Suggested Repair

Fan operation after shutdown can be normal, especially in warm weather or with the A/C on. Check the coolant level, bleed air from the cooling system, and confirm the replacement radiator is the correct part.

Conversation Summary

The owner of a 1993 Honda Prelude noticed the electric cooling fan running after shutdown for the first time after a radiator and thermostat replacement, and wondered if the wrong parts were installed. The temperature gauge reads normal. The expert said post-shutdown fan operation can be acceptable if the engine needs to expel more heat, and advised checking the coolant level, bleeding air, and confirming whether an exact radiator was used. The fan also runs whenever the A/C is on.

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