Sounds like the temp switch on the radiator.  Especially if it didn't come
on until 3/4 of full scale.  On the couple of Vanagons I have experience
with, the fan comes on about half scale or a little less.  I'm assuming you
are talking about the lower speed fan, not the high speed.

Tom Salicos
'87 Syncro Westy EG-33

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> Drew Jenkins
> Sent: Saturday, November 07, 2009 11:36 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Radiator fan won't turn off
>
> Today while running errands in my 86 Syncro, the radiator fan turned on as
> it should when the temp gauge reached about 3/4 way up the scale while I
> was idling. After driving at 45 mph, the temp guage started receding back
> to normal, but the fan did not turn off. It stayed on and in fact, the
> temp gauge settled lower on the dial than normal. I got home, stopped the
> engine, yet the fan stayed on. I had to disconnect the battery to get it
> to stop.
>
> I waited a couple hours and the engine was back to cold and I reconnected
> the battery. Unfortunately, the radiator fan turned back on.
>
> I'm looking for suggestions as to what I should look at first. Temp
> sensor, fluid levels, etc.
>
> thanks,
>
> Drew Jenkins