while checking my tranny fluid i noticed that neither of the two fans was operating is this normal? i have had an issue with the one fan kicking on usually at a stop light and more often in the winter than the summer but i always figured one fan was always operating and the other just kicked in for AC or overheating, other than that car runs great except for the annoying 420 code that i still havent been convinced what the correct remedy is or if it really needs a cure, btw its a 2000 legacy with 125k and head gaskets replaced at 77k under the extended warranty program.

The cooling fan should turn on only when the coolant temperature starts to approach the boiling point. The AC fan should turn on when the AC or the defrost is used.

The fans run only when needed for removing heat from the radiator and/or a/c condensor. The main fan may operate without the subfan operating. Check out this control chart involving engine coolant temp, vehicle speed, and a/c compressor on/off: