electric fan temp question

first off i wouldnt trust the stock gauge at ALL...

next where in the radiator do you have the heat sensor? near the input hose or near the engine return hose? theres going to be 2 totaly different temperature areas... you want the water going into the motor to be cool and consistant...

ka0tyk is right - you're gonna have to get an accurate temp gauge (that actually tells you the temperature) before you can do any analysis about what the fan is doing. It ought to be set to cycle slightly ABOVE your t'stat temp. But in any event it shouldn't come on when the car is that cool. Sounds like something is amiss.

Assuming you have a 180 t'stat, and you set the fan to keep the car at 190F. When you start the car cold, the fan shouldn't come on at all until the t'stat opens, fills the radiator with warm coolant for the first time, and that coolant reaches 190F -- which as you know can take several minutes of driving. And trying to test it while idling from a cold start -- well that can take a LONG time. You'll likely have to drive off, and as the temp gauge approaches 180F, pull over test for the t'stat opening by feeling the upper radiator hose (it will get MUCH warmer) and then see if your fan cycles on shortly thereafter.

But it all starts with a REAL gauge-you'll just be guessing with the factory unit.

Your fan will cycle on and off as it heats up and cools down. Mines do it all the time. If I'm on the freeway w/good traffic my fan never comes on. The forced air itself is good enough to keep things cool.