Thanks much for the replies. I am considering all the information.

It is frustrating though since this problem comes and goes. Today the fan has not come on, but I don't know if/when it will happen. If it is a short, why wouldn't it occur all the time?

 

I still belive it's your thrmostat that's stuck open. Since you change out your fan relays.

Thromstat is not more then $25 at Advance or pep boy.

 

The fan on the left is for the A/C, the one on the right is for the motor, this is the important one. I believe someone previously mentioned checking the sensor, I would try this also. There is 2 of them, one for the gauge and another for the fan.

Because it may not be a dead short. It could be a damaged spot in the wire insulation that is grounding out occasionally.

 

I'm a bit confused...what 'sensors' are you referring to? I'd like to know as much as I can so I can suggest things to the mechanic.

 

There are 2 coolant temperature sensors mounted to the head. Each one operates a different system.

 

I could not remember which one was the A/C fan since I'm only running 1 fan because I have no clearance between my header and radiator.

 

I think the one on the right is the a/c fan (standing in front of the car looking at the engine) because when I take out the a/c fuse it no longer comes on.

BTW, I took the car back to the second mechanic and he was trying to tell me that it is normal for the electric fan to come on when the ignition is off. Unfortunately this problem comes and goes so unless it happens when the mechanic is there they tend to think everything is OK.

 

ya that mechanic is wrong. Its not normal to stay on after the car is off.

 

So the mechanic tells me the fan hasn't come on since it has been in the shop today so I should pick it up. A lot of good that does me if it is night time and the engine is dead 40 miles from home. Isn't there an honest mechanic somewhere who is competent?

 

My mechanic finally was able to duplicate the fan running condition in his shop. He believes the part that is causing the short is the ac/fan switch in the car. Amazingly Acura stocks this part for my 91 Integra.

Thanks to all for reading and offering suggestions. It kept me persevering.

martin