I know a number of my fellow AX competitors use small light weight batteries.

Today I drove about 40 miles to a friend ... it was hot ... and I
noticed the electric fans came on when I stopped. They seldom do.

After perhaps fifteen minutes (?) I went outside and noticed that the fans
were still on ... but moving slowly ... and then came to a stop.

A few minutes later I needed to move my car ... and the battery was dead!

The fans were on long enough to drain the small battery.

Luckily I was able to jump stop the car ... let it run for a few minutes ...
and it started up again later that evening.

So there is a potentially dangerous problem, besides the inconveniences of a dead battery ... if the engine requires more electric fan cooling then the battery can deliver ... one could theoretically damage the engine! :huh:

Weird, I've never noticed my fans coming on or staying on after stopping. They always turn off after I stop.

? When they come on ... it's usually after I've stopped ... like less then a minute later. San Diego ... no wonder ... doesn't get hot enough! ;-)

Are you going to be at the AX practice on Saturday ... we're running in the last group ... so we don't have to come down so early ...

Well, even in 100* heat I haven't had the fans stay on after stopping.

Hmm... AX, I haven't done any since the Mazda RevItUp last year, do they have loaner helmets at the practices? All I have is a M-rated helmet. At the Q I assume?

They have loaners ... but the Practice session is filling up fast ... race is of course open on Sunday.

Call 619 258 5588 if you want to see if there are any openings for Sat at the Q.

Perhaps my Stg1+ mods are making me run hotter ?

i used to use a light weight battery also. but opted out to just use the stock one, i've had way to many problems with light weight batteries. i say save them for events.

i used to use a light weight battery also. but opted out to just use the stock one, i've had way to many problems with light weight batteries. i say save them for events.

can you name the batteries and model of those batteries?
also what are the problems you had?
im also thinking of getting it but i wanted to know all the issues that could happen. i assume its not the sti you have that problem with those batts

I checked out this thread because I run a light battery, but I was surprised to hear of people's fans coming on.

I've driven and parked in 100+ weather before and I've NEVER experienced the fans coming on after I've parked and turned the car off. I know they are supposed to come on if the temp is still too high, but I've just never seen it and am actually curious how common it is?

Last wednesday (the hottest day of the year here so far), it was well over 100 degrees above the pavement. The sun was blazing. I had an autocross school. Many runs, driving hard the whole day and the fans never came on after the car was shut off. I don't think it's supposed to happen.

"potentially dangerous problem... one could theoretically damage the engine!"

Gee could you be a little more dramatic?

Cooling after shut down is more for keeping the fuel rails and intake cool so vaporlock doesn't occur and your car may restart easily. Nothings going to explode or blow up.

Who am I to argue with Engine Cooling Management ... Modded Suby's have a history of meltdowns, etc ... I've taken steps, colder plugs, higher capacity fuel pump, larger IC, etc. ... but I think heating issues are to be taken seriously with our modded cars.

Obviously my fans ran for 10+ minutes before the battery gave out ... an unusually long period it seems ... I'm sure everything was O.K. ... but still, if the mini battery is failing ... what if it only ran for a couple of minutes ? I'm glad this happened now ... I wouldn't want it to happen in pre-grid before an important race.

I think we need to find out why your fans turned on, then figure out how to avoid it. I think you're the only one who's ever had it happen!

Who am I to argue with Engine Cooling Management ... Modded Suby's have a history of meltdowns, etc ... I've taken steps, colder plugs, higher capacity fuel pump, larger IC, etc. ...


Rofl, wouldn't better steps be like: Radiator, oil cooler...

Rofl, wouldn't better steps be like: Radiator, oil cooler...Maybe the Crucial 170* tstat, a lot of people have recorded lower water/oil temps with it and increased detonation resistance and reduced heat buildup under hard runs.

yeah ... the electric fans come on after the engine has been turned off if necessary. You've never heard other car's fans on while going through a hot parking lot ?

Strange ... it never seems to come on after AX'ing ... in high heat? ... but it will come on for a short period after a regular drive around town ... not driving hard ... and I pull into my garage?

This is my battery: http://www.heeltoeauto.com/marketplace/nrgcell/index.shtml

My first one barely lasted a year ... and I got a free replacement ... which I've had since January. If you don't use your car for a couple of weeks ... it will be flat. I have a Battery Tender plugged into it when I'm not using it for over a week. Another friend had his seemingly go bad before he had it for a year. But I've heard others that have had them for over two years without any problems?

Ive also never heard my fans run after my car has turned off, and it gets kinda hot in Houston. The only problems I have ever had with my hawker is if I leave the car sitting for 2 weeks or if I run the radio why the car is off. I really dont understand why your car is the only one with the fans staying on.

yeah ... the electric fans come on after the engine has been turned off if necessary. You've never heard other car's fans on while going through a hot parking lot ?I've heard other cars, but never Subarus (not that I've walked past that many of them when it's hot).

"but I think heating issues are to be taken seriously with our modded cars."

Your engine is OFF, as in NOT RUNNING!
Any heat has been made and it is just transferring to other cooler parts (heat soak).
Because the engine is not running, the water pump is stationary, the coolant is not circulating (much) and the fans are just moving air under the hood.
Your "modded" lump is not being hurt.
Jeez

Here is what i replaced when my fans would stay on longer than 10 minutes. Your fans come on for a reason, and this cools the turbo to my kowledge, or at least it did on my Saab 9000t. Not sure if I am right as it is a different car but if your fans stays on a lot look into the relay http://www.thesaabsite.com/images/radfandelrel89.gif

The Suby turbo is being cooled by water heat syphon action after the engine stops ... it's why we don't need turbo timers.

Thanks for the heads up on MY fans running while seemingly no one else's does! ;-)

... looking into this ...