ECU fan- anyone ever had a problem with one?

[genphreak]

Ever had to replace a malfunctioning fan?

Very easy to get to above the accelerator on a RHD, or behind the glove box on a LHD.

1. Remove the footwell upper panel above the pedals (RHD) or the glovebox quick-release clips behind the box, then
2. Remove 2x10mm nuts
3. Open the ECU box, find the triple wire plug that connects to the ECU fan.
4. Pries the fan casing out of its firewall seal rung and remove.

I had a noisy one in the 535 and the e46 325 (knew it was running at least)
e46 (M54) was much harder to remove and repair
Never seen an M50 type one in an e34.
Just checked on one in a 540: The fan was okay but couldn't run as it was jammed in the fan casing itself, which was deformed due to melting. Kept the fan as a spare, tested and working 100%, though not silent. Interestingly or perhaps even tellingly, someone had disconnected it previously.

So they run without the ECU fan.

Question: Without the fan running, the ECU must overheat eventually.

Has anyone ever had their car shutdown and then recover? Perhaps it will just cause a permanent ECU/trans computer failure?

[632 Regal]

Mine was making noise and needed replacement but now that it is cooler the noise stopped. Not sure if the fan stopped of fixed itself but still running here.