DougS

The condenser fan, in front of the radiator on the driver's side, will occasionally turn on by itself long after the car is parked and the engine is cool, and it drains the battery. So I have to unhook a battery cable every time I park for very long.

What's the most likely cause? I suspect this may be a known issue but don't find a thread in a search.

wunfstgsr

I think if the A.C button is pushed in it might cause the fan to turn on but not 100% sure on that. You sure it comes on randomly even hours after its been parked? its common for the fans to turn on after the engine is shut off at least once. Could it be your alt is dying and draining the battery and you think its the fan draining the battery?

DougS

Thanks for the response. It's definitely the condenser fan coming on randomly, since occasionally when I hook the battery back up to drive away after having been parked for hours or days, the condenser fan comes on.

I'll have to watch carefully whether the a/c button is on, since you're right that that could be a cause, which hadn't occurred to me. But I haven't been able to use the a/c for a long time since I have another problem, the interior blower motor is shot, and very difficult to replace (and expensive if you use the OEM part). That replacement is in progress.