Radiator fan staying on

Have a 98 Dokata with the 2.5 (I know its slow, but after 100K+ miles who cares) and we're having a problem. The radiator fan will not cut off - after shutting off the vehicle you have to unplug the connector to get the fan to stop. Plugging in back in later (doesn't matter how much later) the fan kicks on prior to the starting the engine.

The temperature guage reads low except when my son forgets to plug the fan in and then it reads high.

My first thought is a temperature sensor problem but I'm not sure as it never seems to "reset" - could the sensor be shorted out and that be what's causing it to run continously?

Any help would be appreciated.

Duane

You should have a fan or automatic shutdown relay. Check if this relay is sticking.

I have this same problem with my 98 Dakota with the 2.5L. I've narrowed it down to the relay, I think. It only happens when it is cold outside. What I do when the fan stays on after I shutdown the engine is that I go under the hood and open the fuse/relay box cover - that shuts down the fan right away. It appears that something there is contracting in the cold weather, causing the relay to either stick, or something is pressing against it. I have never had this problem in warm or hot weather...just the cold.

Sorry, I should have updated this - our problem was indeed the fan relay located under the hood.
Got a replacement from the auto store down the street and we haven't had the problem re-occur.
Duane