Hi folks

When I start the car the cooling fan comes on for a few minutes even though the engine is cold.
I replaced the thermostat because of "excessive emissions" message and "check engine" light on but the fan continues to come on with cold engine at start up. Any ideas?
Thanks,
Peter

Did you get the car scanned? You should get the car error codes read as it will help determine if something or what circuit is tripping it.

Could be a faulty fan switch... if you can find someone with DIS / INPA they may be able to check if its functioning correctly..

Mine does the same but no error messages. 09 535i

I'm suspecting a faulty fan switch. The fun runs for a minute or two and then stops. Strange

really i don't have any idea about this. that's why i can't share any reply to you.....sorry

my 1999 E46 was CPO at there was no faults found and about 3 years later the electrical connector on the fan melted and h ad to get a new fan. I replaced it with an upgraded unit from a coupe and the fan ran at startup like this until its death. It could be normal operation actually just depends on the car. For instance I have a 2000 E39 with two fans(electric and clutch) that is an M52 engine, My 1999 E46 had an M52 and had one electrical fan. A friend had a 2000 E46 and had two electrical fans. I have two cars with M54 engines and one has an electric fan and the other does not it has a clutch fan. Very strange implementation. lol

Even though the cooling fan comes on it probably dies down shortly thereafter. Just like the car idles high for a few seconds and dies down. I wouldn't worry about it until an actual problem occurs. Dealer or mechanic will most likely tell you the same.

Keep in mind that all E60 are not the same some have different engines and different setups and at the same time probably different softwares to operate the Digital Motor Electronics. If you can find another person that has the same car made for the same country with the same features you can probably compare. And even then, from one month to another they may change something.

Hello, I had a problem very similar to this EXCEPT my fan would stay on. Turned out that the coolant temp sensor was loose and had to be clicked back in. (i Had some work done) Problem Solved and SES Light reset completed and never returned.