I have my car (E60 530i) up on ramps with the electric fan and shroud removed to look for a leak on the bottom drivers side of my radiator. I'm not exactly sure if it is one of the hoses or the trans cooler fitting or radiator. Is there any danger running the engine for a short time without the fan hooked up to continue to look for leaks? I'm worried it might throw the electronis for a loop. Any thoughts?

 

Don't know about the electronics. You may get a code while it is unplugged, but it will go away when you plug it back in. You might need to clear it if you don't want it sitting in the memory to be discovered sometime later. The car will be fine mechanically if run without the fan for a short time - especially if the coolant has been sitting overnight.

 

I'm not sure if it will start with the fan un-plugged, or not. You should be fine for a short while. When you get a yellow warning then turn off the engine.

 

I'd unlock the hidden dash menu and pull up the coolant temperature on the dash and make sure it doesn't exceed 100* C as well as put the HVAC controls on full heat and low fan speed.

 

thanks all for the great advice, much appreciated