Fan runs after car is off - Climatronic info!

I got a code P0480; Cooling fan 1 circuit malfunction along with the fans running when the engine was stone cold. I pulled out the front and rear temp sensors and measured them at room temp to be about 2.5k ohms so it is not the temp sensors. The temperature gauge has been working perfectly and is rock solid once the car is warmed up, although I don't drive it much, the W8 is my daughter's car.

I also did the temp check through the Climatronic controls: Press FAN DOWN + TEMP COLDER + ECON to enter into scan mode then press TEMP WARMER to scroll to #45, engine temp, and observe temp in Celsius to verify sensor function (which sensor is it reading? Front or rear?). The numbers I saw were reasonable (30 to 90 Celsius as the engine warmed up).

The sensors were easy to remove and install once the intake tube was removed. I did replace the rear sensor because I had bought a new one and had that all apart. Just use a little grease on the new o-ring and make sure you remove the old o-ring first!

So, what can be the culprit? Bad fan? Bad fan controller? Bad thermostat? Anybody solve a P0480 that was not a sensor? I am going to guess the fan controller. Why? Because the thermostat is just too danged expensive, that's why! It can't be that!!

By the way, anyone know the least expensive place for a fan controller or thermostat? VW wanted $480 for a thermostat after my discount! That is outrageous!! I will take the thermostat apart and fabricate/fix the little heater element in it that breaks before I buy a new one!

Edited by billj3cub - 27-Jan-2010 at 23:58