Katy <katya@netins.net> wrote:
> Well my 89 Westy has been doing the same thing.  Is this common in
> the 89's?  When I start the van up, before it has had time to warm
> up, (and gauge reads cold too) the fan will go on in addition to to
> the rpm's increasing.  It goes off shortly and then come on again.
> It will do this maybe 3 or 4 times before reaching normal operating
> temp.  Also if I've been driving a while and I stop and put in park
> the rpm's go way up now with the fan on.

Katy,
As another 89 owner, I can say that mine operates the same as other
years in the 2.1L series (86-91) do.

It will always come on if the A/C is on, regardless of coolant temp.

It comes on when coolant reaches a given temp X (not sure of actual
value of X).  When coolant gets to X+Y, blinking light should come on,
though this hasn't happened to me since the new engine (knock wood).

If stopped and idling long enough, fan comes on.  This is because no
wind is being pushed through radiator from forward motion and coolant
reaches that temperature X, so fan comes on to substitute for forward
motion.

Your situation of it switching on and off right after starting doesn't
sound normal to me.  If the A/C was on, it should switch the fan on and stay on.